Students in the Upperclass years generally take courses that complement those for which they obtained a foundation in the previous year(s) of study. Drawing on an array of advanced courses of varying subjects, methods and sizes, students can broaden and deepen their basic knowledge of the law. The opportunity for dialogue among faculty and students intensifies in specialized advanced courses and seminars, many of which are limited to between 12 and 30 students.

It is expected that students will exercise sound judgment by enrolling in courses that provide a solid framework in the principal subject areas of the law. For this reason, there are basic courses that many second-year students elect to take. These include Commercial Transactions, Corporations, Federal Income Taxation, Evidence, Trusts and Estates, Criminal Procedure, Real Estate Practice and Administrative Law. Most of these courses are prerequisites for a number of more advanced courses and seminars. Students may elect to take courses such as New York Civil Practice, Federal Courts and the Federal System, Jurisprudence, and International Law. In addition to being intellectually challenging, the courses are germane to virtually every type of law practice. It is also recommended that students – even those with a clearly delineated career plan in mind – consider cross-disciplinary courses to broaden their background and experience.

Many Upperclass students take advantage of skills-oriented courses offering instruction and experience in interviewing, counseling, negotiation and advocacy, such as Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy and Negotiation Seminar. Similarly, numerous students opt for hands-on training through the law school's clinical program. This program exposes Upperclass students to the realities, functions and responsibilities of actual legal practice.

Many Upperclass students also take advantage of the broad array of courses that provide them with opportunities to consolidate the writing and research skills learned in the first year, and to develop more sophisticated and specialized writing skills. Some of these courses include Advanced Legal Writing, Advanced Legal Research, and Fundamentals of Legal Drafting.

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