University of San Francisco. in California Law Schools
University of San Francisco School of Law — Overview
Location:
San Francisco, California
Established:
Founded in 1912, USF Law is one of the oldest law schools in California.
Reputation:
USF Law is recognized for its commitment to social justice, public interest law, and practical skills training.
Known for fostering a diverse and inclusive student body.
Located in the heart of San Francisco, it offers students access to a vibrant legal market, including major law firms, public interest organizations, and tech companies.
USF Law in the California Legal Education Landscape
California has many prestigious law schools, including:
University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall)
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law
Stanford Law School
University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law
University of San Francisco School of Law (USF Law)
Among these, USF Law stands out for:
Its strong emphasis on public interest law and social justice.
A curriculum focused on experiential learning through clinics and externships.
Its location providing unique opportunities in technology law, environmental law, and immigration law.
A close-knit community that supports students’ professional development.
Academic Programs and Strengths
Offers the Juris Doctor (JD) degree, as well as joint degrees such as JD/MBA and JD/MPP (Master of Public Policy).
Provides various clinical programs, including Immigration Law Clinic, Criminal Defense Clinic, Civil Justice Clinic, and Intellectual Property Clinic.
Has specialized programs in Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law, Health Law, and Public Interest Law.
Emphasizes legal writing, trial advocacy, negotiation, and client counseling skills.
Contribution to California’s Legal System
USF Law graduates serve in California’s courts, government agencies, nonprofits, and private law firms.
The school has a strong record of producing attorneys who work in public defense, civil rights, and community law organizations.
Its faculty often contribute to California legal scholarship, especially in social justice, environmental law, and constitutional law.
USF Law provides Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs benefiting practicing lawyers in California.
Relation to Case Law and Legal Practice
USF Law prepares students to pass the California Bar Exam, focusing on California statutes, regulations, and key state case law.
Students study landmark California cases, including:
People v. Anderson (1972) — a key case on the death penalty in California.
Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California (1976) — important case on duty to warn third parties.
Serrano v. Priest (1971) — a foundational case on school funding and equal protection.
The law school’s clinical programs provide students with hands-on experience in cases reflecting real issues in California law.
Notable Features
USF Law is known for its social justice mission, integrating ethics and public service into its curriculum.
Strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Its location in San Francisco offers students exposure to emerging areas of law, such as technology, intellectual property, and environmental regulation.
Active student organizations promote community engagement and professional development.
Summary Table: University of San Francisco School of Law
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | San Francisco, California |
| Established | 1912 |
| Notable for | Social justice, public interest law, practical skills |
| Key Programs | JD, joint degrees (JD/MBA, JD/MPP), clinics |
| Role in California Legal System | Training attorneys for courts, public interest, government, and private sector |
| Unique Features | Strong public interest focus, experiential learning, diversity initiatives |
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