UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings Law) was established in 1878 as the original law department of the University of California. Today, UC Law SF is one of California's largest and most diverse law schools, with an alumni network of over 22,000 graduates practicing in every state in the U.S.

At UC Law SF we pride ourselves on our comprehensive academic curriculum, and our innovative, hands-on clinical legal education offerings. UC Law SF is also home to several nationally acclaimed legal centers including the Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution; Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, Center of Innovation (C4i), and the Center for Business Law.

Located in the heart of San Francisco, one of the most beautiful, vibrant, and innovative cities in the nation. UC Law SF is walking distance to San Francisco City Hall and all levels of the local, state, and federal courts (other than the US Supreme Court). This proximity gives UC Law SF students the opportunity to experience the law in the forums where it is practiced and determined, and provides a level of relevancy to their education that is unparalleled at most law schools.

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JD Program

UC Law SF offers a full-time, three-year (six semester) Juris Doctor program. The first year at UC Law SF lays the foundation for understanding the law. We link theory to practice using innovative pedagogies, while emphasizing the need for creativity, adaptability, and innovation in a rapidly changing legal services market. Our first-year curriculum is traditional in that students take the black letter law courses found at all law schools, but unusual in that our students may take an elective in their spring semester.

Our first-year students (aka 1Ls) are divided into five sections of approximately 80 students each, called “Inns of Court.” 1L students take classes with their Inns, with class size ranging from the full Inn to a much smaller group of 12-15 students.

Coursework taken during the second and third years is largely elective. Students can choose to pursue one of twelve concentrations and take advantage of the school's plentiful experiential learning opportunities by enrolling in a clinic, an externship, or both.

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JD Concentrations

We offer 12 concentrations that allow students to focus their studies in their area of interest.

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Clinics

UC Law San Francisco offers 17 clinics, through which students work with real clients, helping them solve legal problems with genuine consequences. Some of the College's clinics are based on campus, while others involve an external field placement. UC Law SF's clinics work with low income workers, low-income taxpayers, immigrants, asylum seekers, and residents of the adjoining Tenderloin neighborhood.

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Externships

UC Law SF offers five externship programs: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Corporate Counsel, Judicial, Legal, and the UCDC semester for students who would like to spend a semester in Washington, DC. Many UC Law SF graduates credit their externship experience as being pivotal to being practice-ready.

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Pro Bono

UC Law SF's Pro Bono program offers students the opportunity to meaningfully engage with clients and bring essential legal services to underserved communities. Students who choose to participate Pro Bono activities make meaningful connections with non-profit advocacy organizations and practicing public interest attorneys.

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Journals

UC Law SF is home to nine scholarly law journals including the flagship UC Law Review. The College's journals cover subject areas including business and commercial law, communications and entertainment law, Constitutional law, environmental law, international law, racial and economic justice, science and tech law, and gender justice.

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Inter-Collegiate Competitions

UC Law SF boasts five award-winning inter-collegiate competition teams, including the #1 Moot Court Team in the United States.

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Student Life

Student Organizations

UC Law SF is home to 70+ student organizations, journals, and professional skills teams including the College's perennially successful Moot Court team. Student organization interest areas run the gamut from advocacy and volunteer groups to affinity groups to athletic teams. Each year a student organization expo is held early in the Fall semester to introduce first-year students to the many options available.

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On-Campus Housing

On-campus housing is available in the Academe at 198 building located at 198 McAllister Street, directly across from the College's academic buildings at 200 McAllister Street and 333 Golden Gate Avenue. The Academe at 198 offers a variety of options including efficiencies, studios, and one-bedroom apartments. Spouse and significant others who are not UC Law SF students are permitted to live in on-campus housing, as are canine companions.

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Career Placement and Bar Passage

UC Law SF students are ably assisted in their job searches by the dedicated staff of the Career Development Office (CDO). Led by Assistant Dean Amy Kimmel, the CDO offers a robust schedule of programming and networking opportunities throughout the academic year. The CDO also manages the College's Alumni Mentoring Program, with more than 800 alumni participants who can be matched to current students based on a student's desired practice specialty or geographic post-graduation living area.

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Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers

Applications are evaluated holistically by three different reviewers before a final decision is rendered. The Admissions Committee reviews all parts of the application including the personal statement, resume, recommendation letters, transcripts, and standardized test scores. The application form for Fall enrollment in the JD program typically goes live on the LSAC website in mid-August the year before you plan to enroll. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in October. Applying early in the cycle is strongly encouraged.

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