The Power of Experience
UC Law San Francisco graduates have the advantage of a University of California degree, a wealth of experience, and the choices provided by an education that fosters their greatest ambitions. Students learn from top lawyers, judges, businesses leaders, and scholars, honing skills in real-world clinics and with the most influential companies, courts and policymakers. These preparations begin on Day 1, so students graduate ready to practice – and they join a nearly 150-year-old tradition of legal excellence.
at California’s First Law School
Founded in 1878 as California’s first law school, UC Law San Francisco’s mission is to provide a rigorous, innovative, and inclusive legal education that prepares diverse students to excel as professionals, advance the rule of law, and further justice.
UC Law San Francisco is formerly UC Hastings.
Excellent students, successful graduates
#1
More California judges than any other law school
20%
of new law grads hired in San Francisco are from UC Law SF
Prepared to make a difference
UC Law SF students excel
Real-world training and problem-solving give students an exclusive advantage
- 20+ clinics and externship programs provide opportunities for hands-on training, working directly with clients, judges, or innovative companies – and gaining valuable career experience.
- 12 JD concentrations with tailored curricula allow students to specialize in cutting-edge areas of law.
- Students help clients in underserved communities fight evictions, seek asylum, challenge death sentences, and set up businesses in the College’s Pro Bono Program.
UC Law SF faculty lead
World-class faculty and academic programs create unmatched opportunities
- Faculty are globally recognized scholars, judges and law firm partners. You’ll see them in top journals, on the news, testifying before Congress, and tackling the most complex challenges. Read our latest faculty scholarship highlights.
- UC Law SF’s course selection is among the largest of any law school. Students can choose to study the most modern and dynamic areas of law, including reproductive justice, health policy, and artificial intelligence.
- A robust study abroad program provides opportunities in 14 countries on 5 continents.
- Top research and programmatic centers shape society and influence policy in local neighborhoods, at the hottest startups, and throughout municipal, state and federal governments.
UC Law SF graduates succeed
Employers from all sectors seek out UC Law SF grads
- All students receive personalized career development services beginning in their first year.
- The Career Development Office helps students secure summer jobs, clerkships, and postgraduate positions.
- Major firms recruit students directly from the campus. UC Law SF for decades has organized and placed students via the annual Northern California PIPS (Public Interest and Public Service) job fair.
- Students can attend workshops with practicing lawyers, job counseling and interview coaching sessions, and be paired with alumni mentors.
Alumni who shape our world
UC Law SF graduates are transforming society as judges, C-suite executives, S&P 500 general counsels, elected leaders, public servants, entrepreneurs and change makers – from community clinics in California communities to the White House. Membership in the global network of more than 22,000 alumni provides opportunities for networking and learning from the foremost leaders in the law.
Kamala Harris ’89
Marvin Baxter ’66, former California Supreme Court associate justice
Richard Bryan, former Nevada governor and U.S. Senator
Willie Brown ’69, San Francisco mayor and California Assembly speaker
Peter Buxtun ’71, epidemiologist and Tuskegee Syphilis Study whistleblower
Carol Corrigan ’75, California Supreme Court associate justice
Joe Cotchett ’64, leading trial attorney and founding partner of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy
Christopher Darden ’80, co-prosecutor, California v. Simpson
Matthew Davis ’89, shareholder, Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Wiley W. Manuel ’53
Edward Davila ’79, judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Clair Engle ’33, former U.S. Senator
Clara Shortridge Foltz, equal rights pioneer and a founder of the public defender system
Karla M. Gray ’76, former chief justice, Montana Supreme Court, and the first woman to be the court’s chief justice
Kamala Harris ’89, 49th vice president of the United States
Gregg Jarrett ’80, TV news commentator
Michael A. Kelly ’76, shareholder, Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Todd Machtmes ’95, executive vice president and general counsel, Salesforce
Wiley Manuel ’53, former California Supreme Court associate justice and the court’s first African American justice
Kristin Sverchek ’07
Robert T. Matsui ’66, former U.S. Congressman
Alexander Francis Morrison, 1881 graduate who co-founded what would later become Morrison Foerster
George Moscone ’57, San Francisco mayor
Lawrence J. O’Neill ’79, senior judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
Chip Pashayan ’68, former U.S. Congressman
Jackie Speier ’76, former U.S. Congresswoman
Christopher Stevens ’89, U.S. Ambassador to Libya
Kristin Sverchek ’07, former Lyft president of business affairs
Richard Thalheimer ’74, founder and CEO, The Sharper Image
Ann Veneman ’76, U.S Secretary of Agriculture and Executive Director of UNICEF.
Surrounded by opportunity
Learn in the heart of a vibrant city close to the judges, government offices, major law firms, nonprofit organizations, leading companies, and startups that are changing the world.
UC Law SF supports students’ success
Personalized services create success in the classroom and beyond.
- ~80% of each entering class receives merit-based scholarships or need-based grants from UC Law SF. All admitted students are automatically considered for these programs.
- Every UC Law SF student gets access to personalized academic skills instruction and support through the Office of Academic Skills Instruction and Support.
- Hundreds of UC Law SF students access resources and build community in the Legal Education Opportunity Program, First Generation Program, and California Scholars Program.
- Students can live right on campus and thrive in a modern Academic Village at the nexus of influential courts, businesses and government agencies.
- Students and recent grads who take unpaid positions at nonprofits and government agencies can receive grant support, including the Bridge Fellowship Program.
J.D. Admissions
Our J.D. program lays the foundation for students to gain a deep understanding of the law. We link theory to practice using innovative pedagogies, while emphasizing the need for creativity and adaptability in a rapidly changing legal services market. Learn more about how to apply here.
Graduate Admissions
Take your professional career to the next level with one of our graduate programs. We offer four programs: Master of Laws (LL.M), Master of Studies in Law (MSL), Certificate of Studies in Law (CSL), and UCSF | UC Law Master of Science, Health Policy & Law (HPL).
