University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, CA

LAW SCHOOL PROFILE

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University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, CA [By Heather Jung] In its 54-year history, the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law has quickly become extremely well-respected in the legal community and is currently ranked 65th on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the top law schools in the country. According to the school’s website, it is one of the most selective in the country; the average admitted student scores in the 89th percentile on the LSAT and has a GPA of 3.43.

In 2005, the school had 309 graduates,

international business law, particularly

The career services office offers students

234 of which reported that they had

banking, taxation, corporations, antitrust,

a variety of services needed to help them

found employment within nine months of

and labor law, while the Oxford program

land jobs, including resume and cover-

graduation. 60.7% of employed students

examines and compares English and

letter review, video mock interviewing, and

were working in private practice, 16.2%

American law, which derive from common

continuous job strategy sessions. The office

in business, 13.7% in government, 3.8%

origins but are divergent in some areas.

also sponsors workshops and informational panels, co-sponsors career fairs with

in public interest, and 2.6% in judicial clerkships. The average starting salary was

The French program is held in Paris

other Southern California law schools, and

$72,615 per year.

and concentrates on international and

provides students with opportunities to meet

comparative law, with a focus on the cultural

practicing attorneys.

The school offers three dual or concurrent

differences that affect international dealings.

degrees in conjunction with the university’s

The Dublin program in Ireland specializes in

other graduate schools. In addition to

human rights issues. In the Florence, Italy,

their J.D. degrees, students can receive

program, students study laws pertaining

Master of Business Administration

to intellectual and artistic creativity. The

(M.B.A.), International Master of Business

program in Russia, which takes place in

Administration (I.M.B.A.), or Master of Arts

Moscow and St. Petersburg, analyzes the

in International Relations (M.A.) degrees. By

variety of legal systems found in countries

San Diego is the second-largest city in

participating in these master’s programs and

that were once socialist and the problems

California, with more than 1,255,000

the J.D. program simultaneously, students

lawyers who deal with them face. Finally,

residents and a metropolitan area inhabited

can generally save at least one semester’s

the Barcelona program concentrates on

by more than 2.9 million people. The city,

worth of work and expenses and begin their

European law.

which is located just north of Mexico, shares

dual programs during their second years.

The school of law offers more than 30 organizations for students to participate in during their time in law school, including the Federalist Society, Environmental Law Society, National Lawyers Guild, Pride Law, and Pro Bono Legal Advocates.

a border with Tijuana. It is home to several According to Dean Kevin Cole’s note to

major sports teams, such as the Padres and

The school also offers five centers and

prospective students, USD has “one of the

Chargers, as well as several women’s teams,

institutes for students interested in various

highest rated law faculties in the United

including the Siege and the Scorpions.

aspects of the law: the Institute for Law and

States, ranking 23rd in the nation based

Philosophy, the Center for Public Interest

on scholarly impact according to a recent

San Diego is also home to a thriving

Law, the Children’s Advocacy Institute,

survey. In April 2006, USD was ranked ninth

arts scene. It is packed with museums,

the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC),

in the nation in tax law. 11 faculty members

including the San Diego Museum of Art and

and the Institute on International and

belong to the prestigious law reform group

the Museum of Photographic Arts. Music

Comparative Law.

the American Law Institute.”

performances are major draws for locals.

The USD School of Law has partnered with

Faculty members are internationally

universities around the world to sponsor the

renowned in areas such as administrative

University of San Diego School of Law

Institute on International and Comparative

law, children’s advocacy, civil rights,

www.sandiego.edu/usdlaw

Law. The institute offers programs in

commercial law, constitutional law, criminal

six countries, each with variations on the

law, international and comparative law,

San Diego

institute’s concentration.

professional ethics, public interest law, tax

www.sandiego.gov

law, and interdisciplinary studies, including There are two programs offered in England. The London program concentrates on PAGE 

law and economics and law and philosophy.

On the Net

Institute on International and Comparative Law www.sandiego.edu/usdlaw/academics/ centers/iilc.php