Legal Education in California

Stanford, California — Elite private law school consistently ranked among the top three nationally. Emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and entrepreneurship.

Berkeley, California — California's top public law school and one of the most prestigious in the nation. Strong programs in environmental law, IP, and international law.

Los Angeles, California — Top-ranked public law school in Southern California with strengths in entertainment law, critical race studies, and public interest law.

Los Angeles, California — Private law school in downtown Los Angeles with strong connections to the entertainment, technology, and business sectors.

Irvine, California — The newest UC law school, founded in 2009, already ranked among the top public law schools nationally. Known for experiential learning and public service.

Davis, California — Public law school recognized for environmental, immigration, and agricultural law programs. Small class sizes in a collegial setting.

San Francisco, California — Founded in 1878 as Hastings College of the Law — the oldest public law school in California. Located in the Civic Center legal corridor.

Malibu, California — Private law school offering JD and LLM programs with a strong emphasis on dispute resolution and entertainment law.

Los Angeles, California — One of the largest law schools on the West Coast. Extensive evening program and clinical offerings in downtown Los Angeles's legal district.

Santa Clara, California — Located in the heart of Silicon Valley with nationally recognized programs in high tech, IP, and international law.

San Diego, California — Private law school known for tax law, IP, and international law programs. Strong bar passage rates and alumni network in Southern California.

San Francisco, California — Jesuit law school in the heart of San Francisco emphasizing social justice, IP, and international law.

Sacramento, California — Sacramento's law school with direct access to state government. Strong programs in legislative and public policy, water resources, and trial advocacy.

Orange, California — Private law school in Orange County offering JD, LLM, and joint-degree programs. Known for entertainment law, tax, and advocacy programs.

Los Angeles, California — Independent law school in Los Angeles offering full-time, part-time evening, and part-time day JD programs. Strong entertainment and media law focus.

San Francisco, California — Downtown San Francisco law school with flexible scheduling including evening and weekend programs. Strong IP and environmental law specializations.

San Diego, California — Private law school in downtown San Diego offering JD and dual-degree programs with a focus on experiential learning and social justice.

Irvine, California — Private law school in Irvine offering full-time and part-time JD programs with practical skills training and competitive tuition.

Los Angeles, California — ABA-Approved — ABA-approved for 50 years — daytime and evening certificate formats. Curriculum covers civil litigation, legal research, contracts, and more.

San Diego, California — ABA-Approved — ABA-approved certificate combining practical skills with legal theory and analysis. Accelerated and part-time options available.

Irvine, California — ABA-Approved — ABA-approved paralegal certificate with a compressed full-time option. Includes practical legal training and career preparation.

ABA-Approved — ABA-approved online paralegal studies certificate through the College of Professional & Global Education.

Los Angeles, California — ABA-Approved — ABA-approved since 1978 — one of the earliest university paralegal programs in California. Located in the downtown LA legal corridor.

Los Angeles, California — ABA-Approved — ABA-approved since 2011 — associate degree and certificate programs at one of the most affordable paralegal programs in the Los Angeles area.

Statewide alliance incorporating 10 regional paralegal associations — education, certification support, and a unified voice for the profession.

Stockton, California — Fully online program approved by the Court Reporters Board of California offering AS and BS degrees in court reporting.

State regulatory board overseeing licensing, testing, and school recognition for court reporters. Maintains a list of recognized schools statewide.

Leading professional association for California court reporters — legislative advocacy, CSR exam prep, scholarships, and continuing education.

Statewide organization of mediators, arbitrators, and neutrals. Developed the CDRC Standards of Practice for California Mediators.

Governs community dispute resolution programs and training standards. California has no statewide licensing — individual courts set their own mediator roster requirements.

National professional organization offering the LNCC certification — the gold standard credential for legal nurse consultants.

Official qualifications page. Requirements: 18+, California resident, complete 6-hour approved course, pass written exam, clear background check, obtain $15,000 bond.

Step-by-step checklist for the California notary commission application process — from education and exam to bond filing and oath of office.

California administers its own bar exam — not the UBE. Two-day exam: 5 essays + 1 performance test (Day 1), 200 MBE questions (Day 2). Passing score: 1390/2000.

Official exam schedule, application deadlines, and key dates. February and July administrations. MPRE score of 86+ required for admission.

Active licensees must complete 25 hours of MCLE per three-year compliance period, including 4 ethics, 1 competency, 2 elimination of bias, and 1 civility.

Major provider of CLE programming for California attorneys — live seminars, webcasts, and on-demand courses across all practice areas.

Los Angeles, California — One of the largest paralegal and legal support professional organizations in the country — education, certification prep, networking, and job resources.