Western State University College of Law - Orange County Campuses

Western State University College of Law - Orange County offers a comprehensive Juris Doctor (JD) program designed to prepare students for successful legal careers. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills, ethical practice, and a deep understanding of the American legal system. Core courses form the foundation of legal education, covering essential subjects that every law graduate must master.

• Contracts: Explores the formation, performance, and breach of contracts, including common law and UCC principles.
• Torts: Examines civil wrongs such as negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability, with a focus on damages and defenses.
• Property: Covers real and personal property rights, including ownership, transfers, and landlord-tenant law.
• Criminal Law: Studies the elements of crimes, defenses, and the criminal justice process from investigation to sentencing.
• Constitutional Law: Analyzes the U.S. Constitution, separation of powers, federalism, and individual rights under the Bill of Rights.
• Civil Procedure: Details the rules governing litigation, including jurisdiction, pleadings, discovery, and trial processes.
• Evidence: Teaches the rules of admissibility, hearsay exceptions, and expert testimony in court.
• Professional Responsibility: Focuses on ethical obligations, conflicts of interest, and the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

Beyond foundational courses, the program includes advanced electives to allow specialization. Students can choose from areas such as Business Law, which includes Corporations, Securities Regulation, and Taxation; Intellectual Property Law, covering patents, trademarks, and copyrights; Family Law, addressing divorce, child custody, and domestic relations; Environmental Law, exploring regulations on pollution, conservation, and climate change; and International Law, which delves into treaties, human rights, and global trade. Experiential learning is integral, with opportunities in clinics like the Immigration Clinic, where students represent clients in deportation proceedings, or the Criminal Justice Clinic, assisting in misdemeanor defenses. Externships with local courts, prosecutors, and public defenders provide real-world application. The curriculum also integrates skills training in legal writing, research, advocacy, and negotiation through courses like Legal Writing and Appellate Advocacy, Moot Court, and Negotiation and Mediation. Upper-level students engage in seminars on emerging topics such as Cybersecurity Law, Health Law, and Entertainment Law, reflecting the diverse legal landscape of Orange County and beyond. This rigorous program, accredited by the State Bar of California, ensures graduates are well-equipped for the bar exam and professional practice, with a strong emphasis on community service and pro bono work to foster a commitment to justice.