California Western School of Law

About

Although this page is administered by California Western, views presented here do not necessarily represent the views of the law school or its administration.

Story

California Western School of Law provides a rigorous, traditional legal education with an emphasis on developing problem-solving, communication, writing, and analytical thinking skills. This broad skill base allows our students to see the big picture, and evaluate the social and economic context behind a wide array of legal problems.

We are dedicated to serving the underrepresented and to doing what the justice system is supposed to do. We believe in using our deep skills and rigorous training for what is right and just. We have a responsibility to our community and we act on it every day. This is evidenced by our many public interest programs, the content of our curriculum and the actions of our people.

We expect a lot from our students. We don’t settle for just getting by. Our commitment to excellence is at the center of who we are. This commitment goes beyond just those students with the most impressive academic numbers. At California Western, we know that an incoming student is more than just a set of test scores.

While we expect a lot from our students, we also understand that legal education is an active partnership between the school and the student. This is why we go to great lengths to first understand each student’s unique path, personality, and goals, then help them establish a clear pathway to successfully fulfill their individual quest.

Mission

To prepare graduates to enter the legal profession ready for practice.

Products

Academic Programs: Juris Doctor (J.D.); J.D./MBA and J.D./MSW (with San Diego State University); LL.M. in Trial Advocacy; LL.M. and M.C.L. for Foreign Lawyers; MAS in Health Law (with UC San Diego).

Experiential programs include: Access to Law Initiative - helping new attorneys develop small and solo practices while providing legal assistance to the community; Mediation Clinic - working with juvenile offenders to help teach conflict resolution; California Innocence Project - helping to free the wrongly convicted; Clinical Internship Program - placing students in law firms, agencies, and courts; Community Law Project - providing pro bono legal assistance to the community; New Media Rights - helping defend online artists and content creators; Proyecto ACCESO and ACCESO Capacitación - promoting the rule of law in Central and South America; Trademark Law Clinic - providing free legal services for individuals and small businesses wishing to obtain a federal trademark; Traffic Court Clinic - defending motorists and developing courtroom skills by litigating minor traffic infractions.