Our History

California Western School of Law, located in downtown San Diego, is among the few independent, nonprofit law schools in the country.

Chartered in 1924, California Western was accredited by the American Bar Association in 1962 and became a member of the Association of American Law Schools in 1967.

In 1968, California Western University, which included undergraduate studies, changed its name to the United States International University. The law school retained the name California Western School of Law.

In 1973, the law school relocated from its Point Loma location to the first of its three downtown campus buildings at 350 Cedar St. In 1975, California Western ended its affiliation with USIU and became an independent law school.

In 1980, the new trimester system was announced, allowing two entering classes in one academic year, reducing individual class size and further increasing the quality of education.

In 1993, the law school opened a new administrative and campus center, housing faculty and administration offices, including student affairs, admissions, and financial aid.

Dean Steven R. Smith joined the law school in 1996.

In January 2000, California Western proudly opened its new, state-of-the-art Law Library, which was dedicated by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.