School of Law

This new program is designed for individuals interested in careers in public service or areas of law dedicated to social justice. In addition to core curriculum classes, students will complete at least 600 hours of attorney-supervised "apprenticeships." These will be either with local law offices and agencies or in one of several on-campus clinics, such as the Housing Clinic or the Criminal Defense Clinic.

Social justice, leadership, community -- these interrelated concepts are at the heart of a legal education at John F. Kennedy University. JFKU School of Law endorses the philosophy that a comprehensive legal education not only should prepare you for professional success, but also should teach you about the law's role in advancing social justice.

At the JFKU School of Law, leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. This principle was one of John F. Kennedy's closely held beliefs and it provides both inspiration and guidance to us as legal educators. To that end, JFKU has created a place where people with professional and personal commitments can attend law school part-time, receive individual attention from professors, and collaborate in a community that promotes intellectual growth and proficiency in the practice of law. Here are some facts to consider about JFKU as you explore your legal education options:

Classes are small, and the teaching style is collaborative and active. Because no class has more than 40 students, you can expect to be fully engaged in class discussions. As a result, you will develop strong relationships with faculty members who are willing to exchange ideas, assist you academically and support your development as a legal professional.
The culture is cooperative and collegial. As a new student you will be assigned a student mentor and a faculty advisor, and you will have access to our robust academic support program.
Our faculty consists of full-time professors and working professionals with outstanding records as lawyers and judges. Our teacher-practitioners bring the most up-to-date professional perspectives to class and mentor students beyond the classroom.
An "Introduction to Law" class taken in advance of your first semester develops your confidence and skills by providing an in-depth entree to legal studies, including class preparation, legal analysis, and legal writing.
The culture and climate at JFKU is conducive to diversity and learning for people of all backgrounds. Our law student body is one of the most diverse in California and closely mirrors the population at large. About 40 percent of our students are racial/ethnic minorities and about 60 percent are women.
Our curriculum emphasizes the development of legal analysis and writing skills - skills which are essential to your success in law school, the bar exam and legal practice.
In the course of our extensive clinical program, you can gain real-world legal experience in our new Elder Law Clinic and through placements in law offices, government agencies and the courts. These experiences will teach you practical lawyering skills, expose you to a valuable professional network, and provide you a chance to engage in valuable public interest work.

JFKU School of Law
(925) 969-3550
law@jfku.edu