The Institute for Legislative and Governmental Affairs at the Western New England College School of Law was established in 2000 to offer students the opportunity to participate in activities relating to the legislative process. Recently, traditional law areas, such as contract, property, and tort, have evolved to include underpinnings of statutory law, and criminal law is completely statutory.
Through participation in the Institute, students engage in the practical application of law by assisting public officials in drafting legislation, exploring the codification and progressive development of laws, and examining recently enacted bills. This allows them to experience an area of law that has become indispensable to most practicing lawyers.
Students gain further exposure through the Institute's course offerings (including Legislation and Administrative law), independent studies, internships, and externships, which provide a thorough understanding in how to interpret and draft statutes as well as in the intricacies of the legislative process.
Additional events offered at the Institute, such as seminars, workshops, and legislative hearings, are open to alumni and the general public. The Institute is a great resource for alumni, state and local officials, and practicing attorneys who are interested in a variety of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs offered both in conjuction with the state bar associations and independently of them.