Law School in San Diego - California Western School of Law

Professor Richard Finkmoore to retire from California Western after 30 years

“I became a teacher because I enjoyed being a student, and because teaching allows you to influence the next generation of lawyers and concerned citizens.”

Doing Well by Doing Good

“This program makes a difference to our graduates and to the clients they serve.”

The Perfect Setting for Success

“Cal Western has a proven reputation for producing practice-ready attorneys.”

Professor Nancy Kim Publishes Book on Consent

Consent is complex because humans and their relationships are complicated.

Two Generations Share Their ‘Adventures in Law’

How a mother and son are keeping law in the family.

Born to be Wild

“All apex predators play a vital role in our ecosystem.”

Inequality Takes a More Insidious Path

“Today’s reality is that formal inequality has been replaced by more subtle forms of bias and discrimination.”

Top San Diego Law Firms Award Scholarships to California Western Students

“This scholarship will help me get one step closer to achieving my dreams.”

Igniting a Passion to Practice Law

“My practice always involves plenty of interesting First Amendment issues and advice.”

Attorney Finds His Niche in the Appellate World

“A niche allows you to become the ‘go-to person’ in a given area.”

‘Honey Badger’ Article Wins Trademark Law Award for CWSL Student

“The topic highlights the difficulty of balancing free speech against exclusive intellectual property rights.”

From Lawyer to Law Professor and Back Again

"Practicing law makes us better teachers because we are conveying to students what it means to be a lawyer."

Latin American Lawyers Laud CWSL’s Spanish Trial Skills Academy

“This program has been a watershed in my professional life.”

Making the Right Choice

“Cal Western really prepares you.”

From Gridiron Glory to Prosecutorial Powerhouse

“I was sold on the idea of being a lawyer.”

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce Speaks at California Western

“Markets tend to be more flexible than regulators are.”

SCOTUS Watch: War Memorial or Religious Display

A case that will remind many San Diegans of the Mt. Soledad cross controversy.

Taming the Toughest Bar Exam in the US

“Nothing brings people together like studying for law school exams.”

NMR Files Comments with Copyright Office Requesting Registration Modernization

“Our current system benefits large copyright holders.”

Alumna Reveals the Secret to Success

“The toughest things you go through in life really do make you stronger.”

War and Peace: An LLM Alum’s Incredible Journey

“My strength was positivity and hope.”

The Hypocrisy of Veterinary Lien Laws

“Owners have informally elevated the status of dogs from personal property to ‘members of the family.’”

Reflective Practice: A Critical Habit for Successful Lawyers

“Reflective practice has particular application to teaching legal ethics.”

California Western Community Law Project Receives Grants

“These grants have allowed us to make a tremendous impact on the lives of hundreds of clients.”

Prof. Kenneth Klein on the Insurance Crisis Facing Camp Fire Victims

“There’s an even higher than normal incidence of people who have no insurance.”

California Western’s Maestría Program Celebrates Fourth Graduation

“We continue to grow in student applications every year.”

Become Profession Ready

California Western provides a rigorous, traditional legal education with an emphasis on developing problem-solving, communication, writing, and analytical thinking skills. This broad skill-base allows our students to see the big picture, and evaluate the social and economic context behind a wide array of legal problems.

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Be a Champion of Justice

We are dedicated to serving the underrepresented and to doing what the justice system is supposed to do. We believe in using our deep skills and rigorous training for what is right and just. We have a responsibility to our community and we act on it every day. This shows in our many public interest programs, the content of our curriculum and the actions of our people.

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Named to President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll and Honor Roll with Distinction 2009-2014

Commit to Excellence

We expect a lot from our students. We don’t settle for just getting by. Our commitment to excellence is at the center of who we are. This commitment goes beyond just those students with the most impressive academic numbers. At California Western, we know that an incoming student is more than just a set of test scores.

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Find a Supportive Community

While we expect a lot from our students, we also understand that legal education is an active partnership between the school and the student. This is why we go to great lengths to first understand each student’s unique path, personality and goals, then help them establish a clear pathway to successfully fulfill their individual quest.

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