Careers
Whether you're considering applying to law school, a current California Western student, one of our distinguished alumni, or an employer seeking to hire practice-ready candidates, the Career and Professional Development Office (CPDO) is always here to help.
California Western Employment Summary
Explore the latest dataCalifornia Western students are landing jobs in a wide range of employment categories and firm sizes throughout the country. See where they’re starting their legal careers.
California Western Alumni Include
Class of 2024 Employment Categories
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Law Firms (all sizes)68.1%
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Business & Industry4.2%
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Government12%
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Public Interest12.7%
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Clerkships (all levels)2.4%
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Education0.6%
Size of Law Firm
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Solo3.4%
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1–1052.1%
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11–2513.7%
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26–508.5%
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51–500+22.2%
Employment data is voluntarily self-reported. These figures are based on the 98.5% of the Class of 2024 whose employment data is reported and known.
Top Employers of California Western Alumni
- California Energy Commission
- Los Angeles District Attorney
- Oceanside City Attorney
- Riverside County District Attorney
- San Diego County District Attorney
- Social Security Administration
- U.S. Department of Justice
- U.S. Navy JAG Corps
- Appellate Defenders, Inc.
- Legal Aid Society of San Diego
- Riverside County Public Defender
- San Diego Coastkeeper
- San Diego County Public Defender
- San Diego Wildlife Alliance
- Aguirre and Severson LLP
- Berger Williams, LLP
- Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara, LLP
- Cage & Miles, LLP
- Case Harvey Fedor
- CaseyGerry LLP
- Cooley LLP
- Downtown L.A. Law Group
- Fennemore
- Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
- Gruenberg Law
- Hanna, Brophy, MacLean, McAleer & Jensen, LLP
- Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, LLP
- Hoffman & Forde, Attorneys at Law
- Hogue & Belong
- Hurwitz Holt APLC
- Jackson Lewis
- Jones Day
- Kleindinst
- Laughlin, Falbo, Levy & Moresi LLP
- Lawyers for Employee & Consumer Rights APC
- Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
- Mayer Brown
- Michael Sullivan & Associates, LLP
- O’Hagan Meyer APC
- Ogletree Deakins
- Petit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC
- Perkins Coie
- Polsinelli
- Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
- Quarles
- Singleton Schreiber
- Troutman Pepper Locke
- White and Bright, LLP
- Wilson Elser
- Wilson Sonsini
- Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP
Student Resources
As a California Western student, you have access to career advisors, resume and cover letter reviews, workshops, career fairs and more. The Career and Professional Development Office (CPDO) is dedicated to helping you find your place in the legal industry. Learn more about student services and career resources.
What students are saying
Celeste Tucker, '22
Law student Intern, The National Labor Relations Board for the Office of the Executive Secretary
“With the help of CPDO, I was able to land an internship for the summer with NLRB, an agency that has been on my radar since undergraduate school. I was honored to have been selected and enjoyed my time there.”
James Fendt, '22
Associate Attorney, Singleton Schreiber
“I owe my success in landing the Summer Clerk position at Gomez Trial Attorneys to staying in contact with CPDO. Over the last year, they helped me refine my resume and showcase my prior work experience as a brewer and in the cannabis industry.”
Jason Jacobs, '19
Production Safety Technical Writer at Pro Unlimited Contracted to Netflix
“Law school helped me develop the research, writing, and analytical skills needed both to land this job and to succeed in it. CPDO taught me to look beyond traditional lawyer roles for ways that I can use those skills. If not for CPDO’s advice on JD-preferred jobs, I would not be doing what I am doing now.”
Alumni Resources
The California Western experience lasts a lifetime. After graduation, you can still access job search resources through CPDO, including career advisors. Learn more about alumni services and career resources.
What alumni are saying
Paul Alaimo, ‘14 and Hilary Boyer, ‘09
Alaimo & Boyer APC
"I've always thought the CPDO is the single most valuable resource at CWSL. From helping me obtain numerous positions during law school including the internship that ultimately connected Hilary and I, to supporting our business through ALI when we were getting off the ground, to now quickly connecting us with strong applicants when we're hiring. I've always felt that your office is really willing to go above and beyond to support students and graduates."
Employer Resources
Are you looking for practice-ready attorneys? Is your law firm, agency, or organization interested in hiring a law clerk? We are glad to help.
What employers are saying
Jessica Gross, ’17
Former Associate at Sheppard Mullin
"We have been consistently impressed with our law clerks from California Western. Their work product is on par with young associates, which makes them a profitable asset to our firm and our clients."
By the Data
California Western students go on to pursue a variety of legal careers upon graduation.
Career and Professional Development Office
The Career and Professional Development Office offers a wide variety of resources designed to help you identify and achieve your career goals. Our goal is to assist you in maximizing your efforts and equipping you with skills, tools, and tips to ensure that you are as competitive as possible in the legal job market.
If you require assistance or have questions about the resources available to you,
please contact a member of our staff.
John McKee, Assistant Dean
Noelle Dorman, Assistant Director, Projects & Employer Relations
Bhashini Weerasinghe, Assistant Director, Pro Bono & Public Service
Austin Lucas, Assistant Director, Employment Reporting & Graduate Advising
Valerie Gurrola, Assistant Director, Law Firms & Private Sector
Matthew Lab, Director of Access to Law Initiatives (ALI) & Profession Development
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
San Diego, CA 92101