San Diego's OldestLawSchool
Shape the Conversation
Join Professor Harpalani as he examines how admissions litigation reflects persistent racial stereotypes, including the model minority myth and the soft bigotry of high expectations.
Acclaimed legal advocate, educator, and author Calvin Duncan visited California Western School of Law to share his remarkable journey from wrongful conviction to nationally recognized advocate for justice.
California Western School of Law welcomed investigative journalist James Stout to campus for a discussion on border journalism, source protection, and reporting in high-risk environments.
LaunchYour Career
Our Programs
Earning a law degree from California Western means mastering legal theory and fundamentals, honing critical-thinking skills, and gaining the ability to apply the law in dynamic settings. For more than 100 years, California Western has succeeded in helping law students gain the skills and experience that employers and clients seek.
CWSL entering 1L’s took the Oath of Professionalism at the James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep U.S. Courthouse.
Connect Legal Theory and Practice
Learn more about our faculty, including their scholarly activity and media appearances.
California Western Weekly
Faculty at California Western School of Law (CWSL) continue to produce groundbreaking work and present it across the country and around the globe.
Issue 41 - October 2, 2026
Professor William Aceves Receives Roberto Alvarez Award from American Constitution Society
California Western School of Law proudly celebrates Chief Justice Roger Traynor Professor of Law William Aceves on being named the recipient of the American Constitution Society San Diego Lawyer Chapter's 2026 Roberto Alvarez Award.
Drive Change
At CWSL, we have cultivated more than just legal minds; we have fostered a vibrant community where solidarity and support reign. As President of CWSL’s Black Law Student Association, I have witnessed firsthand the power of unity in overcoming challenges and championing diversity. Together, we have excelled academically and forged lasting bonds that transcend the confines of our campus.
2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards
California Western School of Law proudly recognizes the recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards, celebrating eight remarkable alumni whose leadership, service, and professional excellence have left a lasting mark on the legal profession and beyond. The honorees will be formally recognized at the All-Alumni Reunion on October 8, 2026.
1L Grant Van Gorp Receives Competitive Statewide Justice Pathways Scholarship
California Western School of Law student Grant Van Gorp has been awarded a highly
competitive Justice Pathways Scholarship from the California Lawyers Foundation, earning
recognition as one of only seven law students statewide selected for the honor. The
scholarship celebrates Van Gorp’s commitment to academic excellence, civic engagement,
community service, and the future of the legal profession.
Live and Learn in a Dynamic City
I would choose CWSL a thousand times over. Everyone I have met, including faculty, staff, and students, has been very welcoming ... Everyone wants each other to succeed, and that is clear in the interactions they share.