(Courtesy of Touro University) Adel Eichorn earned her degree in history because she loved the subject. When it came time to get a job, however, the market was not flooded with offers. Taking a turn for the practical, she took a paralegal course and began working at a law office in the real estate department. Fast forward five years and Eichorn found herself wishing for a more stimulating career. When her boss suggested law school, she didn’t see a way to do it with young children at home, a part-time job and a house undergoing construction. That is until she heard about Touro Law’s FlexTime JD program.
“For years, I was telling myself that I could do what the attorneys were doing at my firm and it frustrated me. I thought about going to law school at night but nixed that idea because I realized I would never see my kids, with them being in school during the day and me attending school at night,” said Eichorn. “With Touro Law’s Flex JD, I do my reading and writing on my own time, log on to Zoom once a week and attend in-person classes all day on Sunday. With a supportive husband and professors that bend over backwards to accommodate my schedule, this is very doable. While I’m working really hard, it’s challenging without being overwhelming and I’m building my own future.”
Touro Law’s hybrid FlexTime JD program is now offered at Touro’s new, state-of-the-art Cross River Campus at 3 Times Square in New York City in addition to the Central Islip campus in Suffolk County on Long Island. Designed for law students with work, family and/or religious obligations that prevent them from attending law school full-time, the first New York City FlexTime JD class has attracted paralegals, accountants, compliance professionals and others in real estate, healthcare and business who seek to advance their careers with a law degree. Like Eichorn, 95% of admitted students receive generous scholarships to Touro Law and the FlexTime JD program can be completed in four years or less.
FlexTime students attend in-person classes only on Sundays and complete the balance of this coursework on an asynchronous schedule throughout the week. Students in Touro’s FlexTime program are eligible to sit for the New York State Bar Exam and the program is fully accredited by the American Bar Association. Recent graduates of Touro’s Long Island-based FlexTime program are employed as judicial law clerks and associates at law firms.
“The new program at Touro’s Times Square campus welcomes women who have left the workforce to raise families, young men in kollel who have earned their bachelor’s in Talmudic law (BTL) and other non-traditional students,” said Jim Montes, assistant dean of career and professional development. “Situated in the heart of New York City, the FlexTime Program at the Manhattan branch of Touro Law is leveraging its location at the epicenter of the world’s largest and most sophisticated legal market. A board of advisors composed of distinguished jurists and practitioners is working to offer interactive opportunities and pro bono activities and will serve as mentors to students, enhancing their career opportunities.”
The only accredited law degree program with in-person requirements exclusively on Sundays, FlexTime also fully integrates students into the fabric of Touro Law Center. FlexTime students have the opportunity to become involved in every aspect of law school life including clinics, pro bono activities, student organizations and honor societies including Law Review, Moot Court and Trial Advocacy Practice Society.
Clara Chaya Epstein took another route to the FlexTime JD program. After a 10+ year career teaching high school Jewish studies, Epstein developed a passion for advocating for others, just as she had done for her students. Her interest in the law deepened after hearing a motivational talk by Judge Ruchie Freier who spoke about balancing a legal career with a Jewish lifestyle while raising small children. Inspired by Freier’s story, Epstein gained the confidence to pursue the law herself, completing her undergraduate degree online and transitioning to a role as a paralegal. However, researching law schools made her realize how difficult it would be to juggle work, raising four children and attending classes.
For a time, law school seemed impossible until Epstein discovered Touro Law’s FlexTime JD program. “It felt too good to be true,” she said. “But I can happily say it works perfectly for my life right now. The program offers flexibility to complete the work on my schedule without compromising on a rigorous learning experience. It’s hard work, but I’m grateful because it’s preparing me for the challenges of being an attorney. And Touro is closed for the Jewish holidays, so I’m covered on that front too.
“I love the professors — they’re knowledgeable, approachable, and truly invested in helping us grow,” Epstein added. “They challenge us to think critically and support us every step of the way. These relationships I’m building are fundamental to my future profession.” Looking ahead, Epstein sees herself in the courtroom, possibly as a trial lawyer, combining her teaching background with her passion for advocacy.
For Eichorn, Epstein and their classmates at Touro Law, a world of possibilities has opened up. To learn more, visit www.tourolaw.edu/flexjd or contact David Siegel at [email protected].
