Social Justice Lawyering

Overview

The Social Justice Lawyering concentration prepares students to make a positive impact on the world by serving under-represented clients and communities. Students attracted to this concentration come from diverse communities and perspectives, but all share a strong desire for a career that aligns with their values. This shared sense of calling to address issues of social justice builds a strong, supportive, enduring community that helps sustain concentrators as they enter and pursue this work.

The concentration offers an array of more than 100 classes that are taught by over thirty full-time UC Law SF faculty, as well as adjunct faculty who include some of the nation’s preeminent public interest lawyers.

Hands-on work is an important component of this concentration: Every student in the concentration must take a clinical course or externship—and many take more than one. And they must also take at least one class on negotiation and one on the impact of race in our society.

A year-long seminar in the second year brings students and faculty together to explore what it means to be a social justice lawyer. This intensive experience connects like-minded peers and connects them with faculty and alumni, forging relationships that will support students as they move forward as alums to change the world.

How to Enroll

To enroll in the Social Justice Lawyering Concentration, students must before the start of second year complete a Concentrated Studies Application, get Professor Piomelli’s signature on it, piomelli@uclawsf.edu, and enroll in the year-long concentration seminar for 2L students.

Please see the Course Catalog for the most updated information about each concentration’s requirements, including required and qualifying classes. If you have questions, please reach out to the Concentration Advisor.

Advisor: Professor Ascanio Piomelli