Legal Education in California
Law schools, paralegal programs, certifications, bar exam resources, and continuing education in California.
Law Schools
ABA-accredited JD programs in California
Stanford Law School
Elite private law school consistently ranked among the top three nationally. Emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and entrepreneurship.
UC Berkeley School of Law
California's top public law school and one of the most prestigious in the nation. Strong programs in environmental law, IP, and international law.
UCLA School of Law
Top-ranked public law school in Southern California with strengths in entertainment law, critical race studies, and public interest law.
USC Gould School of Law
Private law school in downtown Los Angeles with strong connections to the entertainment, technology, and business sectors.
UC Irvine School of Law
The newest UC law school, founded in 2009, already ranked among the top public law schools nationally. Known for experiential learning and public service.
UC Davis School of Law
Public law school recognized for environmental, immigration, and agricultural law programs. Small class sizes in a collegial setting.
UC College of the Law, San Francisco
Founded in 1878 as Hastings College of the Law — the oldest public law school in California. Located in the Civic Center legal corridor.
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
Private law school offering JD and LLM programs with a strong emphasis on dispute resolution and entertainment law.
Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University
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 University School of Law
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley with nationally recognized programs in high tech, IP, and international law.
University of San Diego School of Law
Private law school known for tax law, IP, and international law programs. Strong bar passage rates and alumni network in Southern California.
University of San Francisco School of Law
Jesuit law school in the heart of San Francisco emphasizing social justice, IP, and international law.
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
Sacramento's law school with direct access to state government. Strong programs in legislative and public policy, water resources, and trial advocacy.
Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law
Private law school in Orange County offering JD, LLM, and joint-degree programs. Known for entertainment law, tax, and advocacy programs.
Southwestern Law School
Independent law school in Los Angeles offering full-time, part-time evening, and part-time day JD programs. Strong entertainment and media law focus.
Golden Gate University School of Law
Downtown San Francisco law school with flexible scheduling including evening and weekend programs. Strong IP and environmental law specializations.
California Western School of Law
Private law school in downtown San Diego offering JD and dual-degree programs with a focus on experiential learning and social justice.
Western State College of Law at Westcliff University
Private law school in Irvine offering full-time and part-time JD programs with practical skills training and competitive tuition.
Paralegal Programs
Accredited paralegal education and certificate programs
UCLA Extension — Paralegal Studies Certificate
ABA-approved for 50 years — daytime and evening certificate formats. Curriculum covers civil litigation, legal research, contracts, and more.
UC San Diego Extended Studies — Paralegal Studies
ABA-approved certificate combining practical skills with legal theory and analysis. Accelerated and part-time options available.
UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education — Paralegal
ABA-approved paralegal certificate with a compressed full-time option. Includes practical legal training and career preparation.
San Francisco State University — Paralegal Studies Certificate
ABA-approved online paralegal studies certificate through the College of Professional & Global Education.
Cal State LA — Paralegal Studies Certificate
ABA-approved since 1978 — one of the earliest university paralegal programs in California. Located in the downtown LA legal corridor.
Los Angeles City College — Paralegal Program
ABA-approved since 2011 — associate degree and certificate programs at one of the most affordable paralegal programs in the Los Angeles area.
California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA)
Statewide alliance incorporating 10 regional paralegal associations — education, certification support, and a unified voice for the profession.
Court Reporter & Captioning Programs
Stenography, digital reporting, and real-time captioning training
Humphreys University — Court Reporting Program
Fully online program approved by the Court Reporters Board of California offering AS and BS degrees in court reporting.
Court Reporters Board of California
State regulatory board overseeing licensing, testing, and school recognition for court reporters. Maintains a list of recognized schools statewide.
California Court Reporters Association (CCRA)
Leading professional association for California court reporters — legislative advocacy, CSR exam prep, scholarships, and continuing education.
Mediator & ADR Certification
Alternative dispute resolution training and qualified neutral roster
California Dispute Resolution Council (CDRC)
Statewide organization of mediators, arbitrators, and neutrals. Developed the CDRC Standards of Practice for California Mediators.
California Department of Consumer Affairs — Dispute Resolution Programs Act
Governs community dispute resolution programs and training standards. California has no statewide licensing — individual courts set their own mediator roster requirements.
Legal Nurse Consulting
Certification programs for RNs providing litigation support
Notary Public Certification
How to become a notary public in California
California Secretary of State — Become a Notary Public
Official qualifications page. Requirements: 18+, California resident, complete 6-hour approved course, pass written exam, clear background check, obtain $15,000 bond.
California Notary Public Checklist
Step-by-step checklist for the California notary commission application process — from education and exam to bond filing and oath of office.
Bar Admission & Exam
Pathways to becoming a licensed attorney in California
State Bar of California — Bar Examination
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.
California Bar Exam — Dates and Deadlines
Official exam schedule, application deadlines, and key dates. February and July administrations. MPRE score of 86+ required for admission.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Requirements for licensed California attorneys
State Bar of California — MCLE Requirements
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.
California Lawyers Association — Education
Major provider of CLE programming for California attorneys — live seminars, webcasts, and on-demand courses across all practice areas.
Legal Secretary & Legal Assistant Programs
Certificate and degree programs for legal support professionals
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