University of California, Hastings College of the Law

University of California, Hastings College of the Law

200 McAllister Street San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone: 415.565.4600; Fax: 415.565.4863

E-mail: admiss@uchastings.edu; Website: www.uchastings.edu

Introduction

Since its founding in 1878 as the University of California’s first school of law, Hastings College of the Law has been at the center of the legal community in the West. In addition to pursuing legal practices that cover the entire spectrum of law, some 450 Hastings graduates sit as judges on the California bench.

Located in San Francisco’s Civic Center, UC Hastings provides students with unparalleled access to legal institutions. The California Supreme Court, California Court of Appeal, and the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit are nearby. Two blocks away is City Hall, as well as superior and municipal courts. With its central location and strong community links to many of the Bay Area’s multicultural neighborhoods, UC Hastings offers students an educational experience that is virtually unlimited in its scope and diversity.

Library and Physical Facilities

The law library houses an extensive collection of federal and California documents for which UC Hastings is an official depository. A major renovation of the Hastings Library will be undertaken during 2005 to 2007 to install various seismic and fire/life safety upgrades. Additional enhancements will include the construction of small group study rooms, the installation of the latest technology, including the provision of data ports and power throughout the library, as well as a new climate-controlled ventilation system for the prevention of the collection’s deterioration, and the expansion of the library’s shelving capacity.

Curriculum

The UC Hastings curriculum offers a broad spectrum of courses, from those that are fundamental to all forms of practice to those that reflect increased specialization. After three years of successful study, the student will receive a Juris Doctor degree, conferred by the Regents of the University of California.

Students must complete six semesters in residence, earn 86 semester units, pass all required courses, and earn a cumulative grade-point average of at least C (2.0). The program is designed for full-time students; new students are admitted only at the beginning of the fall semester.

Special Programs

Legal Education Opportunity Program—Initiated in 1969, the Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEOP) was designed to assist students in excelling academically at UC Hastings. Students admitted through LEOP are offered a number of academic support services throughout their three years of study, beginning with orientation for incoming students and ending with a supplemental bar review course. To be eligible for LEOP, applicants must complete the LEOP application that includes questions regarding cultural, economic, educational, familial, geographic, linguistic, physical, or social issues or circumstances affecting preparation for law school.

Exchange Programs and Institutes—As part of the second-and third-year course of study, students at UC Hastings have the opportunity to participate in student-exchange programs with Bocconi University of Milano, Italy; Leiden University, the Netherlands; University of Copenhagen, Denmark; University of London and University College of London, England; University of Heidelberg, Germany; University of New South Wales, Australia; and Vermont Law School. Students may also participate in programs offered by UC Hastings Institute: our Center for Local and State Government, our Center for International Justice and Human Rights, and our Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution.

Joint-degree Program—UC Hastings students may participate in a joint-degree program between the college and another graduate program in a law-related discipline, such as public policy or business administration. To qualify, students must have completed the first-year curriculum with a grade-point average of 2.50 or higher. A maximum of 12 credits may be transferred to Hastings from a joint-degree program.

Judicial Externships—Judicial externships offer semester-long placements with judges in the US Court of Appeals, US District Courts, US Magistrate Court, California Supreme Court, California Court of Appeal, and San Francisco Superior Court. To qualify, a student needs a minimum grade-point average of 2.50 and successful completion of prerequisites, which vary depending on the court in which the student will work.

Upper-division Concentrations—UC Hastings’ large full-time and adjunct faculty has enabled the college to develop comprehensive curricular offerings in specific areas of the law that lead to concentrations. The concentrations include Civil Litigation, International Law, Tax Law, Public Interest Law, and Family Law.

Cocurricular and Student Activities

Second-year students may earn academic credit by working on one of seven law journals: Hastings Communication and Entertainment Law Journal, Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly, Hastings International and Comparative Law Review, Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal, Hastings Law Journal, Hastings Women’s Law Journal, and West-Northwest Journal of Environmental Law and Policy.

Beyond the first-year moot court requirements, UC Hastings offers Appellate Advocacy as a second-year elective. Students write a brief and present oral arguments based on the record of an actual case pending in the California or the United States Supreme Court. Second- and third-year students represent UC Hastings in a number of state, national, and international advocacy competitions.

The Civil Justice Clinic, Criminal Practice Clinic, Workers’ Rights Clinic, Local Government Clinic, Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, Environmental Law Clinic, and Legislation Clinic offer students valuable experience in criminal and civil practice under the supervision of practicing attorneys and faculty.

The governing organization of the student body is the Associated Students of the University of California, Hastings.

Additionally, students participate in approximately 50 different with families are clustered together to provide mutual support student groups.

Financial Aid

Typically, more than 80 percent of UC Hastings’ students receive financial assistance from college-administered sources. Scholarship awards are made to recognize and encourage the achievement, service, and professional promise of students. In addition, students who pursue qualifying public interest and government sector employment may receive loan repayment assistance after graduation through the Public Interest Career Assistance Program (PICAP).

Housing

On-campus housing is available at McAllister Tower, a 24-story building. The 250 apartments include efficiencies, studios, one-bedroom and a few two-bedroom apartments. Students with families are clustered together to provide mutual support and companionship. The Off-campus Housing Office provides current listings in San Francisco and the Bay Area, as well as sample leases and other helpful publications.

Career Services

As a part of its commitment to students and alumni,UC Hastings offers one of the most comprehensive law career services offices in the West. Students are assisted in clarifying their legal focus, acquiring job search strategies, and honing interviewing techniques. UC Hastings lists a large volume of part-time and summer jobs for current students and alumni. Through the fall and spring, close to 400 employers visit the campus to interview students for both summer associate positions and permanent postgraduation employment. An additional 200–300 employers from throughout the nation participate in the recruit-by-mail program.

• Guide to Law School

• Prepare for Law School

• Law School Admissions

• Selecting a Law School

• Applying to Law School

• Financial Aid

• Getting into Law School

• Law School Rankings

• Best Law School Directory

• Online Law Degree

• Choosing Careers in Law

• Top Law Schools

• Law School FAQs

• Pre-Law Information