  We investigate the $\Lambda(1520)$ photoproduction in the $\vec{\gamma} p \to
K^+ \Lambda(1520)$ reaction within the effective Lagrangian method near
threshold. In addition to the "background" contributions from the contact,
$t-$channel $K$ exchange, and $s-$channel nucleon pole terms, which were
already considered in previous works, the contribution from the nucleon
resonance $N^*(2080)$ (spin-parity $J^P = 3/2^-$) is also considered. We show
that the inclusion of the nucleon resonance $N^*(2080)$ leads to a fairly good
description of the new LEPS differential cross-section data, and that these
measurements can be used to determine some of the properties of this latter
resonance.
