Why California Western
There are many reasons to pursue your legal education at California Western. Here are the big ones.
Live and Learn in a Thriving City
San Diego is an ideal location to launch your legal career with its quality of life and dynamic economy
San Diego is home to established industries like defense and tourism and while leading the massive growth in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, and medical devices.
Major firms like Qualcomm and the Salk Institute for Biological Sciences are headquartered in San Diego, and it’s also known as a top location for innovation
Where our alumni work
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Law firms57%
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Government14%
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Business14%
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Public interest10%
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Judicial clerkships3%
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Academia2%
Learn the Art and Science of Lawyering
Lawyering: the art and science of assisting clients. At various times in your legal career you will act as counselor, negotiator, drafter, and advocate on behalf of your clients. At the California Western School of Law, you will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill these roles ethically and competently.
Doing the right thing is such a passion here that in 1999 we founded the California Innocence Project, which is dedicated to the release of the wrongfully convicted. We have released 35 people from prison in that time with the help of student interns.
The Competitive Advocacy Team has a superlative record and gives students a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Learn more about their 2021 ABA Negotiation National Championship - and many more victories.
Community Law Project, 2022 California Non-Profit of the Year.
Engage with Thought Leaders
Our faculty are dedicated scholars, public intellectuals, and highly skilled teachers
Learn from experts
California Western is known for its close-knit learning community, which starts with a deeply committed faculty invested in the success of its students.
Scholarship and Events
Faculty in the Media
William Aceves
Op-Ed: William Aceves writes on the Watts Treaty for the Los Angeles Times
Hannah Brenner Johnson
TV Interview: Hannah Brenner Johnson discusses Supreme Court confirmation process with CBS
Connect Legal Theory and Practice
California Western builds legal skills with a logical, intentional progression. Students are taught to translate theoretical concepts into daily application, and then given numerous opportunities to hone those skills through externships or clinics.
STEPPS program
The STEPPS Program bridges the gap between the first-year legal skills program and third-year clinical and internship programs. Throughout the program students are prepared for success in the job search and in the workplace with services such as interviewing, career counseling, negotiation, and ethics.
The line between who creates media versus who owns media is blurrier than ever before. Our partner New Media Rights supports content creators in their quests to defend their work.
Immerse Yourself in A Law School that Represents Society
California Western welcomes students from all backgrounds and creates an intellectual environment that challenges future lawyers to think about how best to pursue justice.
California Western School of Law is committed to building a collaborative learning and working environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We believe these values affirm mutual respect and foster innovation, enabling students, staff, and faculty to fully develop and use their skills to promote positive change. We recognize and appreciate the unique contribution each person brings to our law school. We strive to create an atmosphere of open discussion, mutual respect, and dignity toward all. We also extend these values to serve our local, national, and international communities.
Transformative Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
Read about the largest gift in California Western’s history, which supports diversity, equity, and inclusion.
US News and World Report, Most Racially and Ethnically Diverse Law Schools