Corporate Counsel Certificate

One of the first of its kind in the country, this program gives students the skills they need to step into corporate law positions upon graduation, whether on the legal staff of a company or with a firm that represents corporations. All certificate candidates take General Counsel, a course that simulates the practice of in-house staff.

Students work individually and in teams to undertake simulations in agreement negotiation and drafting, employment problems, and intellectual property practice. They learn to handle complex problems in those areas and may conduct research, draft agreements, file memoranda, conduct interviews, and negotiate to resolve issues. Tours of area corporations give students a very clear idea of what being a corporate attorney is like.

The Corporate Counsel Certificate can be earned as part of the regular J.D. program and requires no additional credit hours. To be eligible the student must complete the requirements set forth below. Students should consult with the Program Director, Professor Christian C. Day (Room 182 White Hall, 443-3650, ccday@law.syr.edu), on requirements to avoid any confusion. Students completing all the requirements for the Certificate must apply to the Director at the beginning of the final semester in law school The application must identify the courses taken and work to be completed in satisfaction of the Certificate requirements. This will be reviewed by the Program Director. Upon the review of the petition for the granting of the Certificate by the Director, the Director will recommend the granting of the Certificate to all students who have met the requirements and who are in good standing at the College of Law.

The PCSE curriculum provides students with the skills and knowledge that are essential to understanding the critical role of law in defining property and in constituting markets. The curriculum is based on a belief that the modern lawyer must understand property and its regulation as part of the broader economic organization of society. This includes a need to understand relevant business and financial factors. Students may earn a Corporate Counsel Certificate by successfully completing the core PCSE requirements. This Certificate is awarded by the College of Law at graduation, upon successful completion of all requirements. The core curriculum is outlined below and is governed by the rules and regulations of the College.

Download an application here.

Tours of Area Corporations

Tours of innovative corporations are among the highlights of the General Counsel Applied Learning Course. Each year Syracuse Law students tour Welch Allyn, Inc. a premier manufacturer of medical technology and other products located in Skaneateles, New York. M. Jack Rudnick, '73, the Vice President and General Counsel of Welch Allyn, conducts the tour. Students see products being designed and manufactured and talk with engineers, executives and human resources personnel.