Since 1977, the Legal Education Opportunity (LEO) program at Seton Hall Law has provided a pathway and transition to law school for students, including those from historically underrepresented communities, who have overcome hardships and show great promise as future lawyers.
To be eligible for admission to the LEO Program, students must demonstrate resiliency and perseverance in the face of social, economic, or educational challenges, or other hardships. LEO Fellows bring talent, determination, compassion, and leadership skills to the Seton Hall Law School community.
The program provides LEO Fellows with mentoring opportunities, academic enrichment, and a support network of students, faculty, administrators, and alumni for personal and professional growth.
LEO alumni have pursued successful careers throughout the legal profession, making their mark as state and federal judges, partners and associates at major law firms, high ranking governmental officials and advisors, leaders in business and industry and advocates in the non-profit and public interest sectors.
All Fellows admitted to the LEO program are required to attend the LEO Summer Institute, a two-week, skills-building program that provides Fellows with an opportunity to jump start their transition to law school.
The pre-orientation Institute introduces LEO Fellows to legal doctrine, analysis, and skills. Students also address ways to overcome obstacles to success. The summer program exposes students to professional paths and provides an early opportunity to build community in the law school.
Classes and workshops during the Summer Institute are taught by Law School faculty, administrators and other professionals. The Summer Institute typically runs during the last week of July and the first week of August, before classes begin. The dates will be confirmed during the admissions cycle. Full-time attendance and participation in all programming is mandatory. LEO Fellows who will be relocating for attendance in the Institute are encouraged to contact our Student Services Department for assistance with your housing search.
LEO Fellows take a one-credit course, Introduction to Legal Analysis and Methods. Fellows learn the fundamentals of legal analysis to better prepare them to understand and apply doctrine and craft legal arguments. This includes learning how to synthesize legal principles and gaining facility with the tools and strategies for effective learning and practice as a lawyer. After completing this course, Fellows can continue to take advantage of offerings through the Academic Success Program. Additionally, the LEO Director provides informal mentorship and support.
LEO Fellows are offered ongoing support through Seton Hall Law’s Academic Success Program. This non-credit program helps Fellows continue to hone skills development through a series of workshops. Instructors provide guidance on preparing effective outlines and the best approaches to exam preparation. These resources aim to help upper level students achieve their academic goals and best position students for success throughout law school and beyond.
There is no additional fee to become a LEO Fellow. Seton Hall Law offers the Legal Education Opportunity Summer Institute at no cost. Students have access to law schoolwide academic success programming during the academic year.
Scholarships. Fellows are eligible for institutional financial assistance in the form of merit scholarships or a need-based LEO Grant. LEO Fellows with demonstrated financial need may be awarded an annually renewable grant towards tuition up to the amount of $15,000 for full-time students and $11,000 for weekend students if merit scholarships do not equal or surpass the LEO Grant amount. Merit scholarship renewal terms are provided at the time of awarding. LEO Grant renewal is based on maintaining good academic standing and continued financial need.
Financial Aid. Fellows will need to meet all JD program payment obligations in accordance with standard
payment and financial aid requirements. For a determination of financial need to be
made, LEO applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
no later than April 1st.
