Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Legal Career Starts at Western State College Of Law
Western State College Of Law, founded in 1966, is Orange County's oldest law school and a fully ABA-approved private institution. Our educational model emphasizes small class sizes, personalized faculty support, and practical legal experience through clinics and externships. With a consistent track record of top-tier California bar pass rates, we prepare students for successful legal careers through accessible evening and weekend programs designed for working professionals.Our 12,000+ alumni network includes prominent judges, public defenders, and legal practitioners across Southern California. Located in Irvine, we combine proximity to major legal hubs with the advantages of a suburban academic environment, fostering both professional development and community engagement.
Services
Juris Doctor Program
J.D. MBA Degree
Certificate Programs
Law Clinics
Externships
Details
- Year established: 1966
Highlights and features
- We offer evening and weekend programs designed for working professionals
- Our bar pass rates consistently rank in California's top half
- 12,000+ alumni network includes 150 California judges
- Small classes with accessible faculty focused on student success
- 93.4% employment rate for Class of 2024 graduates
Associations and certifications
- American Bar Association
What people say
Flexible evening programs
Accessible faculty
Strong alumni connections
Practical training opportunities
High employment rates
Services
Juris Doctor Program
Our ABA-accredited Juris Doctor program offers comprehensive legal education with evening and weekend classes. Students gain practical experience through clinics and externships while benefiting from small class sizes and personalized faculty mentorship. The curriculum prepares graduates for California bar exam success and legal careers in diverse practice areas.
Certificate Programs
Specialized certificate tracks in business, criminal, family, immigration, and real estate law enhance JD curricula. These programs provide focused expertise through practice-specific coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Graduates develop specialized knowledge valued by employers in their chosen legal fields.
Law Clinics
Our law clinics offer hands-on experience representing real clients under faculty supervision. Students develop practical skills in client interaction, case management, and legal advocacy. Clinic placements cover various practice areas, providing valuable professional development opportunities before graduation.
Externships
Externship programs connect students with legal professionals in courts, government agencies, and private firms. These supervised field placements provide practical experience and networking opportunities. Participants apply classroom knowledge to real-world legal practice while earning academic credit.
Academic Support
Our academic support programs offer personalized tutoring and bar exam preparation. Faculty provide individualized guidance for academic improvement and career planning. Evening study groups and flexible scheduling accommodate working professionals pursuing legal education.
People
Marla Robinson
Alumna
Class of 1987 graduate who credits Western State's evening program for enabling career advancement while maintaining full-time employment during law school.
Melinda Sims
Alumna
2006 graduate who successfully balanced single parenthood and full-time work with Western State's flexible evening program structure and academic support resources.
Jeff Witjas
Alumnus
1979 graduate and APA SVP who highlights Western State's role in achieving his legal education goals while maintaining full-time employment at William Morris Agency.
Questions
What law degree programs do you offer?
We offer ABA-accredited Juris Doctor programs with evening and weekend classes, plus specialized certificate tracks in business, criminal, family, immigration, and real estate law.
How does Western State support working professionals?
Our flexible scheduling options, including evening and weekend classes, allow working professionals to earn their law degree while maintaining employment.
What are your bar exam pass rates?
Our graduates consistently achieve bar pass rates in the top half of California's ABA-accredited law schools, with 88.2% first-time pass rate in February 2025.
Where is the campus located?
Our main campus is located at 16715 Von Karman Avenue, #100, Irvine, CA 92606, with convenient access to Southern California's legal centers.
What career resources are available?
We provide career services including job placement assistance, alumni networking opportunities, and connections to our 12,000+ legal professional network.
Do you offer experiential learning opportunities?
Yes, through law clinics, externships, and competition teams, students gain practical experience working with real clients and legal professionals.
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