The new Supreme Court term will begin this Monday, October 6, 2025.*

The Court has an active term ahead with cases surrounding the legality of the recent global tariffs, whether a New Jersey crisis pregnancy center can be investigated for deception, and whether a Colorado law banning “conversion therapy” violates therapists’ free speech.

You can learn more about the upcoming term at HeinOnline’s Preview of United States Supreme Court Cases (be sure to create an alert!) or SCOTUS Blog (includes case summaries).  You can also view the case briefs at the Supreme Court’s website (under CASE DOCUMENTS click the link for Docket Search and enter the docket number of the case you are interested in).

The Court will again be making available to the public live audio of the arguments.  Click the ORAL ARGUMENTS link on the Supreme Court’s web site on the day of argument.

*The Supreme Court was established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. It was originally composed of a chief justice and five associate justices.  President Washington nominated John Jay as the first chief justice along with five associate justices.  All were confirmed by the Senate on September 26, 1789. The first Monday in October date was established by a 1916 act of congress and is now codified at 28 U.S.C. § 2.

Constitution and Citizenship Day, observed annually on September 17, commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. On this day, we reflect on the foundational principles of American constitutional law and recognize the responsibilities of citizenship in a constitutional democracy.

Visit the Mendik Library and stop by the Reference Desk for a free pocket-sized U.S. Constitution (while supplies last).

Explore Related Resources:

• Constitution Annotated (Congress.gov): In-depth analysis of constitutional provisions and Supreme Court interpretations.
• National Archives – Constitution Day: Historical documents and educational tools.
• USCIS – Citizenship Resources: Civic education and naturalization materials.
• ConstitutionFacts.com: Quizzes and interactive tools to test your knowledge.

As members of a legal academic community, Constitution and Citizenship Day invites us to revisit the text, context, and continued impact of the nation’s founding document. Whether you’re preparing for class discussions, teaching constitutional law, or exploring legal history, we encourage you to take a moment today to reflect on the enduring significance of the Constitution.

Thursday September 11, 2025 marks the twenty-fourth anniversary of 9/11 and is remembered as the day that horrific terrorist attacks on America claimed nearly 3,000 lives.

New York Law School sits just blocks away from what became known as ground zero, the site of the former World Trade Center’s “twin towers,” which collapsed after being struck by two hijacked jetliners.

In the weeks immediately following the attack, NYLS students, staff, and faculty—eyewitnesses all—were asked to put their thoughts about what they had experienced that day on paper. These essays and reflections were compiled and published as Eight Blocks Away: Memoirs of September 11, 2001.

A PDF of Eight Blocks Away is available on the NYLS Digital Commons. You may also access it for free here.

The library will be open Saturday August 30 through Sunday August 31, and closed on Monday September 1 in observance of Labor Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday September 2 at 8:00 a.m.

New semester, new beginnings! Wishing you all a great start! Below are the library hours for the new fall semester beginning Monday August 18 through Sunday November 30. In observance of Labor Day, the library will be closed on Monday September 1 and will resume regular hours on Tuesday September 2. We look forward to seeing you throughout the semester!

This a friendly reminder that carrels must be clear of all personal items by Friday August 15. Opened food contents will be discarded, and non-food items will be taken to the lost and found area located behind the security desk at the 185 W Broadway entrance. For further information, please send an email to chantelle.james@nyls.edu. Thank you and we hope you enjoy the rest of the summer!

Below are the library hours for the intersession period beginning Thursday July 31 through Sunday August 17.

    Intersession: Thursday July 31 through Sunday August 17

In observance of Independence Day, the Library will be closed on Friday July 4 and will reopen Saturday July 5 at 8:00 a.m.

Below are the extended library hours and intersession hours beginning Saturday, July 5 through Sunday, August 17. On Thursday July 3, The Reference Desk will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Friday July 4, the library will be closed in observance of Independence Day and will reopen on Saturday July 5 at 8:00 a.m.

  Bar Study and Exams Study Hall: Saturday, July 5 – Wednesday, July 30

 Intersession: Thursday, July 31-Sunday, August 17