New York Law Institute

The New York Law Institute is a specialized legal library in Manhattan housing more than 250,000 cataloged books and electronic databases for research. Located at 120 Broadway, the collection provides comprehensive materials designed for lawyers, judges, and legal scholars seeking detailed legal information.

The institute was founded in 1828 by two lawyers who wanted to challenge the legal profession's monopoly on information and resources. A major fire in 1854 destroyed much of the building and furnishings, yet the book collection survived intact, which allowed the library to rebuild and continue its mission.

The institute serves as a core hub for law students and practicing attorneys in New York, supporting their work through specialized collections and expert services available nowhere else in the city. Its role has remained central to how legal professionals develop their knowledge and research skills.

Visitors can access electronic databases from anywhere and request document delivery services to support their work. Research librarians are available to help navigate the large collection and answer specific questions about finding legal materials.

The collection's first book was donated by Chancellor James Kent, marking the start of what became the oldest circulating law library in New York. This origin story shows how a single contribution sparked the creation of one of the legal profession's most important resources.