“The mission of the Center for Advanced Legal Studies is to create in-depth continuing legal education for the legal community by utilizing the strengths and resources of the law school and the expertise of the practicing Bar.”

In 1981, the Center for Advanced Legal Studies was founded at Suffolk University Law School and the first program was presented in the fall of 1982. The goal of the Center was to incorporate the world of the judiciary and practicing bar into the life of the law school. That goal has been achieved through the contributions of leading academics, lawyers and other professionals and the creation of hundreds of conferences, symposia and programs.

Suffolk’s Advanced Legal Studies programs are based on the proposition that continuing education for lawyers can be both academically sound and practical. Our philosophy is that good lawyers want programs that are both intellectually challenging and useful in practice. Our programs are built around members of the Suffolk faculty and experienced lawyers and judges. By carefully crafting the curriculum for each program, preparing solid course materials, and employing vigorous and open discussion methods, these programs provide attendees with more challenging and helpful education than is often available.

The Center produces a varied curriculum which each year includes topics in Litigation, Family Law, Elder Law, Business Law, Employment Law, Ethics and Criminal Law.  In addition, the Center works closely with the law faculty to create programs in the law school’s areas of concentrations, i.e. High Technology, Financial Services, Health and Biomedical and Civil Litigation.  The Center develops courses for the law school’s Macaronis Institute for Trial and Appellate Advocacy and the Juvenile Justice Center.  The Center has cosponsored the Oxford Comparative CLE program with UMKC/CLE and is working to develop other international offerings.