In response to a growing demand for qualified attorneys to work in the nation’s $225-billion equine, racing, and gaming industries, and with several casinos in development stage across New York state, Albany Law School announced March 27 that it will offer a concentration in equine, racing, and gaming law—the only one of its kind in the nation—starting September 2014 for the incoming class of 2017.

Offered through The Saratoga Institute for Equine, Racing, and Gaming Law—the new institute within Albany Law School’s Government Law Center—the concentration will encompass expanded courses on equine law, racing regulations, and gaming industry law, which will be added to a preexisting business concentration that offers such courses as administrative, insurance, employment, and tax law.

“Throughout New York and beyond, there is currently and will be an unmet need for attorneys trained in the legal and regulatory infrastructure of the equine, racing and gaming industries,” said Albany Law School President and Dean Penelope (Penny) Andrews. “Currently, no U.S. law school offers a comprehensive program in law relating to these industries.”

Added Ray Brescia, associate professor and director of the Government Law Center, “This extraordinary new program will prepare highly-qualified students for a burgeoning area of law. Specialized coursework will allow students to master complex regulatory law and administrative hearing concepts, while internships and field placements will provide hands-on opportunities for skills practice