In a profession that’s always changing, it’s important for lawyers to stay aware of new developments. This means keeping up with the latest trends in the law, which can also mean finding new ways to serve clients. One area that’s experiencing rapid growth is “new law,” which includes legal practices aimed at reaching underserved communities or developing strategies that haven’t been used before.
A legal theory that is part of a larger revival and development of Thomistic natural law theory, the new natural law (NNL) approach was first developed in the 1960s by Germain Grisez in an interpretative article on St Thomas Aquinas’s work on natural law. This theory challenged the dominant interpretations of natural law that had dominated the intellectual landscape since the 18th century. NNL theory has been further developed and applied in a variety of fields, including human rights, free choice, moral absolutes, abortion, and euthanasia.
The law of a region or country that defines the legal, political, and cultural norms. It consists of constitutional, statutory, and regulatory law. It may also include local laws and ordinances. In the United States, the law of a state is generally called its common law. The law of a city is typically called its charter or municipal code. In some areas, the law of a community is referred to as customary law.
NLL is often a topic of study in constitutional law courses, as well as in other areas of law. For example, students studying public law might examine how NLL is incorporated into constitutional law and how the NLL concept of fundamental rights has evolved over time. NLL is a growing field of study and research, and there are opportunities to collaborate with scholars in other countries and jurisdictions on NLL topics.
Law that is enacted during a legislative session and is made available to the public as slip law texts after being passed by Congress and published by the Government Printing Office. A bill becomes a law when the President signs it or, in his or her discretion, takes no action within 30 days of receipt. If the President vetoes a law, it can be overridden by two-thirds of both chambers of Congress.
The Center holds a number of events, from the CityLaw Breakfast series to conferences on major policy and legal issues. The Center also sponsors continuing legal education seminars, book talks with authors, and other lectures and trainings. It offers an opportunity for NYU Law students to gain practical experience in the public sector by working for government agencies as fellows and clerking for City Council members or judicial appointees. To learn more about the program, click here.