Program Overview

Introduction to the Juris Doctor (JD) Program

The University of La Verne College of Law and Public Service offers a Juris Doctor (JD) program designed to guide students in obtaining the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the practice of law. The program is grounded in the core values of the University of La Verne, including life-long learning, ethical reasoning and decision-making, diversity and inclusivity, and community and civic engagement.

Vision and Mission

The vision of La Verne Law is to be an incubator for innovation in legal education, thought, and advocacy for individuals passionate about serving their communities and promoting access and justice. The mission of the College of Law and Public Service is to create a culturally relevant, innovative, and collaborative learning environment that develops the knowledge and skills relevant to achieving individual and professional success.

Program Policies

All students admitted to the Juris Doctorate program are expected to be familiar with and abide by the College's State Bar of California Approved and Accredited Program of Legal Education Manual of Academic Policies and Procedures. The College of Law and Public Service admits students into the JD Program in the fall for its full-time and part-time day program as well as for its part-time evening program.

Admission Requirements

• Complete application
• Bachelor's Degree recommended, but not required
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Applicants who have taken the LSAT are required to submit their scores
• One letter of recommendation is required, with two or more letters encouraged
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Personal interview (invitation extended at Dean's discretion)
• Relevant addenda addressing issues pertaining to criminal background, academic background, and prior law school enrollment

Instructions for International Students

International students must submit transcripts and degree certificates from foreign institutions to the Law School Admission Council or provide an official detailed credential evaluation from a NACES-recognized credentialing service. International applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test.

Transfer Admission

The decision regarding a transfer application will be based on a review of the applicant's entire file, including a completed College of Law and Public Service application, LSAT scores, official transcripts from prior law school(s), letters of recommendation, a personal statement, resume, and reasons for transferring.

New Student Orientation

The College of Law and Public Service organizes an annual Orientation for new and first-year law students, which includes workshops targeted at introducing students to basic skills fundamental to academic achievement.

Dual Degree Programs

The University of La Verne College of Law and Public Service offers combined Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA), Juris Doctor/Master of Education (JD/MEd), and Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA) programs.

Clinical Programs

La Verne Law has two campus-based, live-client clinics: the Justice and Immigration Clinic and the Misdemeanor Appellate Advocacy Clinic. These clinics provide students with hands-on experience in legal representation and advocacy.

Externship Program

The La Verne Law externship program places students into various public and nonprofit agencies, where they gain practical experience under the supervision of a practicing attorney.

Career Services

The Career Development Office offers career counseling, resume/cover letter review, job/externship search assistance, mock interviews, and workshops.

Licensing and Bar Preparation

The College of Law and Public Service is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. Students who intend to seek licensure to practice law outside of California should contact the admitting authority for information regarding its education and licensure requirements.

Program Requirements

The total program requires 88 semester hours. The full-time division requires three academic years of study in residence, while the part-time division requires four academic years of study.

Full-Time Division

The full-time program includes:

• 1L (Foundational Year): Contracts, Property, Civil Procedure, Torts, and Legal Writing & Analysis
• 2L (Experiential Learning Year): Constitutional Law, Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Trial Advocacy, and Professional Responsibility
• 3L (Enhancement Year): Wills & Trusts, Capstone, Upper Division Writing, and Experiential Courses

Part-Time Division

The part-time program substantively mirrors the full-time program but is adjusted for timing and scheduling. Part-time students complete 8-10 units per semester and may be required to attend class 3-4 times a week.

Electives

Elective courses may include:

• Administrative Law
• Advanced Appellate Advocacy
• Advanced Legal Research
• Adversarial Evidence Seminar
• Appellate Advocacy
• Animal Law
• Arbitration
• California Civil Procedure
• Civil Rights Law
• Clinical Externship
• Construction Law and Ethics
• Discovery Techniques and Practices
• Employment Law Seminar
• Entertainment Law
• Family Law
• Federal Income Taxation
• Hearsay
• Immigration Law
• Independent Research
• Insurance Law
• Intellectual Property Overview
• International Law
• Issues in Constitutional Law
• Journal for Law, Business and Ethics Seminar
• Justice and Immigration Clinic
• Law Review Seminar
• Lawyering Skills Practicum
• Local Government Law
• Math and Physics for Lawyers
• Mediation
• Mediation Practicum
• National Moot Court Competition Team
• Patent Law
• Plea Bargaining Practice Workshop
• Remedies - Practice Workshop
• Trial Team
• Video Game Seminar
• Workers' Compensation
• Wills & Trusts Practice Workshop