Southwestern Law School: Innovative, Inclusive Legal Education in Los Angeles

Southwestern Law School, founded in 1911 in Los Angeles, is a pioneering institution known for its commitment to diversity, innovation, and public service in legal education. It was among the first to welcome women and minorities and remains a leader in experiential learning, offering five distinct J.D. programs—including the accelerated SCALE® program—and specialized LL.M. degrees.

The campus features the historic Bullocks Wilshire Building and state-of-the-art facilities, while its academic offerings include extensive externships, legal clinics, and concentrations in fields like entertainment law and public interest.

With a diverse student body, strong faculty, and a legacy of alumni trailblazers, Southwestern emphasizes real-world training, community engagement, and access to the legal profession. Despite modest national rankings, it remains a respected hub for legal education, particularly in entertainment law, and continues to prepare students for meaningful careers.

Southwestern Law School: A Century of Legal Education and Innovation in Los Angeles

Southwestern Law School, established in 1911 as the Southwestern College of Law, stands as a cornerstone of legal education in Los Angeles and beyond. With a rich history of promoting diversity, innovation, and public service, Southwestern has evolved into a dynamic institution recognized for its distinctive programs and commitment to preparing a diverse student body for successful legal careers.

A Legacy of Inclusivity and Pioneering Education

Founded by John J. Schumacher, Southwestern was envisioned as a non-profit institution dedicated to providing legal education to women and minorities, long before many other law schools embraced such inclusivity. This commitment to diversity is deeply ingrained in the school’s ethos, evidenced by its trailblazing alumni who include the first woman public defender in the U.S., the first African American Mayor of Los Angeles (Tom Bradley), and the first Latina judge in California.

Southwestern also distinguished itself early on by being the first law school in Southern California to adopt the Harvard case method of instruction and one of the first to establish a law review, emphasizing scholarship alongside practical training. In the 1970s, it achieved full American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation and became a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). Notably, Southwestern pioneered the country’s first two-year J.D. program, SCALE®, demonstrating a continuous drive for innovative pedagogical approaches.

Campus and Facilities: A Landmark in Legal Education

Southwestern’s campus, spanning nearly two city blocks in the mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles, is a blend of historic charm and modern functionality. Its centerpiece is the iconic Bullocks Wilshire Building, a fully restored 1929 Art Deco landmark. This architectural gem houses the Leigh H. Taylor Law Library, one of California’s largest academic law library facilities with over 470,000 volumes, and the Julian Dixon Courtroom and Advocacy Center, a state-of-the-art facility for trial advocacy.

Complementing Bullocks Wilshire is the six-story Westmoreland Building, providing additional classrooms and administrative offices. The campus also offers newly built student housing, The Residences @7th, with 133 fully furnished, on-campus apartments. The tranquil, park-like Promenade and Commons provide inviting spaces for study and discussion amidst an urban backdrop, while its central location offers easy access to major law firms, corporate headquarters, and court facilities, as well as Los Angeles’ vibrant cultural and entertainment scene.

Academic Programs and Specializations

Southwestern is the only ABA-approved law school offering five distinct programs of study leading to a J.D. degree, catering to diverse learning styles and schedules:

• Full-Time J.D. Program: The traditional three-year on-campus program.
• SCALE®: A unique, accelerated two-year J.D. program that emphasizes practical skills training and real-world experience since its inception in 1975.
• PLEAS (Part-time Legal Education Alternative at Southwestern): An on-campus J.D. program designed for students with family responsibilities, offering a flexible part-time course load.
• Part-Time Day J.D. Program: Another on-campus J.D. option for students balancing external commitments.
• Online J.D. Program: A full-time and part-time online J.D. option (details on current availability should be confirmed with the institution).

Beyond the J.D., Southwestern offers:

• Master of Laws (LL.M.) Programs:
  • Entertainment and Media Law LL.M.: Drawing on its prime location in the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” this highly regarded program prepares students for careers in creative industries. Southwestern was the first to offer such an LL.M. program and also launched the first online version.
  • General LL.M. (Individualized Studies): (Currently not accepting applications, as of recent data.)
• Concurrent Degree Programs:
  • J.D./M.B.A.: In partnership with The Drucker Graduate School of Management.
  • 3+3 B.A./J.D.: With California State University, Northridge.
  • J.D./MA in Negotiation: With California State University, Dominguez Hills.
  • Public Policy Certificate Program: With the Pardee RAND Graduate School.

Students can further customize their J.D. curriculum through seven Concentrations, akin to undergraduate majors, providing focused study and transcript notation. These include:

• Civil Litigation & Advocacy (Panish Civil Justice Program)
• Criminal Law and Advocacy
• Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law
• Labor and Employment Law
• Public Interest Law
• Technology Law & Entrepreneurship
• International Law (can be a focus area)

The curriculum offers over 140 elective courses and more than 150 externship placement settings, allowing students to tailor their legal education to their interests.

Experiential Learning: Clinics and Externships

Southwestern strongly emphasizes practical skills through extensive experiential learning opportunities:

Externship Program: One of the largest in the country, with approximately 380 externships annually. Over 80% of students complete at least one externship, gaining real-world experience in diverse settings, from the California Attorney General’s Office to NBCUniversal, and from the California Supreme Court to various public defender and district attorney offices.

Legal Clinics: Southwestern’s clinical program provides quality legal representation to under-represented individuals while allowing students to learn practical lawyering skills. Clinics include:

• Appellate Litigation
• Asylum Law Clinic
• Children’s Rights
• Community Lawyering
• Entertainment and the Arts
• Eviction Defense
• Family Law
• Immigration Law
• Street Law

Faculty and Research

Southwestern’s faculty comprises nationally recognized experts across various legal fields, including antitrust, civil rights, criminal justice, entertainment and media, environmental law, human rights, intellectual property, international law, and urban development. They are dedicated to enhancing the classroom experience and providing individual attention to students. The adjunct faculty, composed of distinguished judges and attorneys, brings invaluable real-world knowledge to specialized practice areas.

Faculty research interests span a wide array of topics, reflecting the diverse expertise of the professors and their contributions to legal scholarship and public discourse.

Admissions and Enrollment

For the 2021 admissions cycle, Southwestern Law School had an acceptance rate of 47.0%, with an entering 1L class size of approximately 373 students. The median LSAT score for admitted students was 154, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.31.

In 2023, Southwestern had a total enrollment of 951 students (763 full-time, 188 part-time). The student body is diverse, with demographics in 2023 showing:

• 45.2% White
• 30.3% Hispanic or Latino
• 8.83% Asian
• 5.68% Two or More Races
• 4.84% Black or African American
• 0.105% American Indian or Alaska Native

In 2023, 272 degrees were awarded, with 55.9% to women and 44.1% to men.

Bar Passage and Employment Outcomes

For February 2024 first-time takers, Southwestern Law graduates achieved a bar passage rate of 71.4% in California, compared to 44.8% for all first-time takers and 76% for first-time takers from ABA-approved law schools in California.

According to Southwestern’s 2022 ABA-required disclosures, 62.2% of the Class of 2022 secured full-time, long-term, JD-required employment nine months after graduation (excluding solo practitioners). For the 2021 JD graduates, 65.9% secured positions at law firms, 0.6% obtained judicial clerkships, and 15.3% pursued public interest law careers.

The bar exam pass rate for JD graduates on the first attempt was 82.5% (data from 2021 admissions cycle reporting). The ultimate bar passage rate (within two years of graduation) was 89.59% for the 2021 graduating class, and 95.24% for the 2020 class.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition and fees were $58,537 for full-time students and $39,042 for part-time students. Southwestern offers scholarships to both domestic and international LL.M. students, determined based on the admissions application and other factors. These scholarships typically provide partial tuition awards.

Student Life and Organizations

Student life at Southwestern is vibrant and student-centered, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity is celebrated. The Student Bar Association (SBA) serves as the official representative of the student body and an umbrella organization for numerous student groups. The SBA has been recognized multiple times for its excellence at regional and national levels.

A wide array of student organizations caters to diverse interests, including:

• Law fraternities
• Ethnic, cultural, religious, and political groups
• Associations for various areas of law (e.g., Entertainment Law Society, Criminal Law Society, International Law Society, Public Interest Law Committee)
• Advocacy programs like Moot Court Honors Program and Negotiation Honors Program.

These organizations offer support, mentoring, workshops, networking, community outreach, and social events, enriching the student experience and fostering professional development.

Rankings and Reputation

In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Law Schools” rankings, Southwestern was ranked 145th (tie). Its part-time program was ranked 43rd out of 70. Southwestern has also been consistently ranked among the top entertainment law schools by The Hollywood Reporter.

Southwestern Law School continues its mission of providing a high-quality legal education, adapting to the evolving needs of the legal profession, and shaping the next generation of legal leaders and trailblazers.

FAQs about Southwestern Law School

What is Southwestern Law School known for?
Southwestern is known for its commitment to diversity, innovation in legal education, and strong programs in entertainment and media law.

When was Southwestern Law School founded?
Southwestern Law School was founded in 1911.

Where is Southwestern Law School located?
It is located in the Mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles, California.

Is Southwestern Law School ABA-accredited?
Yes, it is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).

What types of J.D. programs does Southwestern offer?
Southwestern offers five J.D. programs: Full-Time, SCALE® (two-year accelerated), PLEAS (part-time for those with family responsibilities), Part-Time Day, and Online (full-time and part-time).

What is the SCALE® program?
SCALE® is a two-year, accelerated J.D. program focused on intensive practical training and real-world experience.

Does Southwestern offer online legal education?
Yes, Southwestern offers both full-time and part-time online J.D. options, although availability may vary and should be confirmed directly with the school.

What LL.M. programs are available at Southwestern?
Southwestern offers an LL.M. in Entertainment and Media Law and has a General LL.M. program (not currently accepting applications).

Are there dual or concurrent degree programs?
Yes, Southwestern offers J.D./M.B.A., J.D./MA in Negotiation, 3+3 B.A./J.D., and a Public Policy Certificate in partnership with other institutions.

What specializations or concentrations are available?
Students can specialize in Civil Litigation & Advocacy, Criminal Law, Entertainment & Media Law, Labor & Employment Law, Public Interest Law, Technology & Entrepreneurship, and International Law.

What experiential learning opportunities are offered?
Southwestern provides extensive externships and legal clinics across areas like immigration, asylum, family law, and entertainment law.

How many externships are available annually?
Approximately 380 externships are offered each year.

What percentage of students complete externships?
Over 80% of Southwestern students complete at least one externship during their studies.

What facilities are on campus?
The campus features the historic Bullocks Wilshire Building, the Julian Dixon Courtroom, the Leigh H. Taylor Law Library, the Westmoreland Building, and on-campus housing at The Residences @7th.

Is housing available for students?
Yes, The Residences @7th offers fully furnished on-campus apartments.

What is the bar passage rate for Southwestern graduates?
For February 2024, the first-time bar passage rate in California was 71.4% for Southwestern graduates.

What is the employment rate for graduates?
62.2% of the Class of 2022 secured full-time, long-term JD-required employment within nine months of graduation.

What is the tuition at Southwestern Law School?
For 2023-24, tuition is $58,537 for full-time students and $39,042 for part-time students.

Are scholarships available?
Yes, Southwestern offers merit-based scholarships for J.D. and LL.M. students, including partial tuition awards.

What is the student population like?
In 2023, Southwestern had 951 students: 763 full-time and 188 part-time, with a diverse student body representing a wide range of backgrounds.

What student organizations are available?
There are over 50 student groups, including law fraternities, cultural associations, legal interest societies, and honors advocacy programs like Moot Court and Negotiation.

What is the ranking of Southwestern Law School?
In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings, it was ranked #145 overall and #43 for part-time law programs.

Is Southwestern strong in entertainment law?
Yes, it is widely recognized as one of the top schools for entertainment and media law, due to its programs and location in Los Angeles.

Who are some notable alumni?
Notable alumni include Tom Bradley (first Black Mayor of Los Angeles), the first Latina judge in California, and the first woman public defender in the U.S.

Does Southwestern have part-time options?
Yes, both on-campus part-time and online part-time J.D. programs are available to accommodate working professionals or those with family responsibilities.

Is the campus open to visitors?
Yes, prospective students can typically arrange campus tours and attend information sessions through the admissions office.

What is the average LSAT and GPA for admission?
For the 2021 cycle, the median LSAT score was 154 and the median GPA was 3.31.

What is the student-to-faculty ratio?
While the exact ratio varies, Southwestern emphasizes small class sizes and individualized attention.

Does Southwestern offer public interest law support?
Yes, it has a strong public interest law program, with clinics, externships, and a dedicated concentration in Public Interest Law.

What kind of faculty does Southwestern have?
Southwestern’s faculty includes nationally recognized scholars and experienced practitioners across a broad range of legal fields.

Does Southwestern host legal clinics?
Yes, clinics include Asylum, Family Law, Children’s Rights, Street Law, Eviction Defense, and others, providing real-world legal service experience.