Thomas Jefferson School of Law Law School

Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Law School History

Thomas Jefferson School of Law was established in 1969 and is a private institution. The campus is in an urban area in the Old Town area of San Diego. The primary mission of the law school is to provide an outstanding legal education for a nationally-based student body in a collegiate and supportive environment with attention to newly emerging areas of law, particularly those related to technological development, globalization and the quest for social justice. Students have access to federal, state, county, city, and local agencies, courts, correctional facilities, law firms, and legal aid organizations in the San Diego area. There are also county law libraries available. Housing for students is not available on-site. The Student Services Department can assist with various housing alternatives. All law school facilities are accessible to the physically disabled.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Law School Academics

Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 8 credits may be applied.

The Thomas Jefferson School of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, entertainment law, environmental law, family law, international law, litigation, media law, sports law. Litigation includes dispute resolution; constitutional and civil rights; government and administrative law; intellectual property; and health law. In addition, students can earn a maximum of 5 units by working in various government agencies, state and federal courts, or legal aid clinics. Small seminars are offered in specialty areas and are open to all students. Topics vary. A judicial internship program places qualified students in state and federal courts. Research assistantships are available through individual instructors. An Alumni Perspectives series annually features successful alumni who share their practice experience and expertise with students. Native American Law Students Association, Iranian Jurisprudence Society, Christian Legal Society, Jewish Student Union, Women’s Law Association, La Raza, Pan Asian Lawyers Student Association, and Black Law Students Association offer mentoring and networking programs for minority students.

To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 88 total credits, of which 55 are for required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure I and II, Contracts I and II, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Legal Writing I, Property I, and Torts I and II. Required upper-level courses consist of Constitutional Law I and II, Corporations, Evidence, Legal Writing II, Professional Responsibility, Property II, and Remedies. The required orientation program for first-year students is 2 days.

In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 2.0 and have completed the upper-division writing requirement.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Law School Unique Programs

Library

The law library contains 247,764 hard-copy volumes and 127,842 microform volume equivalents, and subscribes to 3050 serial publications. Such on-line databases and networks as CALI, CIS Universe, DIALOG, Infotrac, Legal-Trac, LEXIS, LOIS, Mathew Bender, NEXIS, OCLC First Search, WESTLAW, United Nations Treaty Service; Legal Scholarship and Social Science Scholarship Network, Hein Online. LLMC Digital; CCH Labor Relations Employment Practices, Wages/Hours are available to law students for research. Special library collections include Thomas Jefferson’s writings and books, videos, and other material about Thomas Jefferson. Recently, the library expanded all areas of th treatise collection especially in the areas of international law, law and technology, and law and social justice. The ratio of library volumes to faculty is 7743 to 1 and to students is 296 to 1. The ratio of seats in the library to students is 1 to 3.

Special Consideration

Requirements are not different for out-of-state students.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Law School Admissions

In the fall 2007 first-year class, 3204 applied, 1166 were accepted, and 288 enrolled. Figures in the above capsule and in this profile are approximate. Two transfers enrolled in a recent year. The median GPA of the most recent first-year class was 3.02. The lowest LSAT percentile accepted was 20; the highest was 95.

Applicants must take the LSAT. Minimum acceptable GPA is 2.0 on a scale of 4.0. The most important admission factors include LSAT results, academic achievement, and life experience. No specific undergraduate courses are required. Candidates are not interviewed.

The application deadline for fall entry is open. Applicants should submit an application form, LSAT results, transcripts, a nonrefundable application fee of $35. 2 letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. The latest acceptable LSAT test date for fall entry is June. The law school uses the LSDAS. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Law School Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 94% of current law students receive some form of aid. The average annual amount of aid from all sources combined, including scholarships, loans, and work contracts, was $28,367; maximum, $42,676. Awards are based on need and merit. Required financial statements are the FAFSA and an institutional application. The aid application deadline for fall entry is February 15. First-year students are notified about their financial aid application at the time an application for admission is received. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Law School Students

About 41% of the student body are women; 20%, minorities; 3%, African American; 8%, Asian American; 8%, Hispanic; and 1%, Native American. The majority of students come from California (43%). The average age of entering students is 24; age range is 21 to 59.

Students edit the Thomas Jefferson Law Review. Other publications include The Thomas Jefferson School of Law News and The SBA Informer. Moot court competitions include the National Appellate Advocacy Competition, William Jessup Moot Court Competition, and Pepperdine Entertainment Law Moot Court Competition. Other competitions include A.T.L.A. Mock Trial, Young Texas Lawyers Association Mock Trial, San Diego Defense Lawyers, Intra-School National Mock Trial, and William Daniel Mock Trial Competition. Law student organizations, local chapters of national associations, and campus organizations include the Black Law Students Association, Pan Asian Law Students Association, La Raza Law Students Association, National Lawyers Guild, Phi Alpha Delta, and ABA/Law Student Division, International Law Society, Public Interest Law Foundation, and Environmental Law Society.

The law school operates on a traditional semester basis. Courses for full-time students are offered both day and evening and must be completed within 5 years. For part-time students, courses are offered both day and evening and must be completed within 6 years. New full- and part-time students are admitted in the fall and spring. There is an 8-week summer session. Transferable summer courses are offered.