Touro Law Welcomes Asst. Dean for Career & Professional Development

Touro Law Center Dean Elena B. Langan is pleased to welcome Jim Montes, Esq. back to the Law Center as Asst. Dean for Career & Professional Development. Montes headed the career office at the law center previously from 2014 to 2018 and has remained an active member of the adjunct faculty. Montes will also serve as Director of Diversity & Inclusion.

“Jim made a great impact as the Asst. Dean of Career & Professional Development and we look forward to having him back,” stated Dean Elena B. Langan. “His experience as dean and his connections in the business world are great assets. I am confident that his leadership and expertise will benefit our students, alumni, and the law school community as a whole.”

In his role as Assistant Dean, Montes will manage the office while staying abreast of the legal market and the law school marketplace, and will help to identify ways to increase employment opportunities for both students and alumni. In his role as Director of Diversity he will work with the Associate Dean of Diversity & Inclusion to advance DEI initiatives at the Law Center and will liaise with external partners and stakeholders to assist legal employers meet their diversity goals.

Most recently, Montes served as First Vice President and Senior Counsel for Carver Federal Savings Bank and as President of Carver Community Development Corporation, the Bank’s economic and community development subsidiary. Prior to joining Touro Law in 2014, Montes was a partner at the global law firm of Nixon Peabody LLP, based in New York City. His practice concentrated in public and project finance, primarily in public and private securities offerings and securities registration. He also served as bond and underwriter’s counsel in connection with tax-exempt and taxable bond financings. A sample of some of the projects Montes worked on while practicing law were the bond financings for the New England Patriots (Gillette Stadium), New York Giants/Jets stadium (MetLife Stadium), and the New York Yankees Stadium. During his tenure at Nixon Peabody, Mr. Montes also lead the firm’s New York State practice serving local municipalities as bond counsel. His legal experience is enhanced by more than 20 years as a senior executive in the banking industry.

Montes stated, “I am honored to return to Touro Law Center and look forward to engaging with the legal community on Long Island and New York City to provide our students and alumni with meaningful employment opportunities. In addition, I look forward to collaborating with and working with legal employers, affinity bar groups and other organizations to help increase the number of lawyers of color throughout the NYC Metro area.”

The Office of Career and Professional Development serves to empower students and alumni to take control of their careers. The Office provides individual counseling as well as help in preparing career-related documents, understanding job-search techniques, interview preparation, and more. All Touro Law students enjoy lifetime office privileges to ensure they are supported throughout their careers.