The University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law was recognized as one of the nation’s most diverse law schools in the Winter 2023 issue of preLaw Magazine. McGeorge also earned accolades in public policy, government law and trial advocacy.

“McGeorge School of Law is proud to be honored for its strengths in these areas,” Dean Michael Hunter Schwartz said. “These rankings affirm our commitment to opening doors to the legal profession for students from marginalized populations and ensuring all of our students are practice-ready on day one of their legal careers.”

Diversity

McGeorge School of Law was ranked as the No. 14 most diverse law school in the country. The ranking reflects the school’s long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

A majority of the law school’s incoming class of students in fall 2022 (51%) identified as racially or ethnically diverse for the first time in the school’s history. Additionally, McGeorge’s Class of 2025 is comprised of 54% women, 38% first-generation college students and 83% first-generation law students. 

“One of the greatest strengths of McGeorge is that we recognize and celebrate all types of diversity. We not only recruit and enroll diverse students at our institution, but we also work to provide a safe and welcoming environment where students feel valued and appreciated,” said Valerie James, senior assistant dean of Admissions, Financial Aid & Diversity Initiatives. 

In the past two years, the law school has hired eight full-time faculty. Six are women, four are people of color, one is of Middle Eastern descent and two are members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The McGeorge alumni community spans all 50 states and 64 countries and represents a broad range of legal careers, including both traditional and non-traditional paths.

“Since being at McGeorge, I’ve been convinced every day that I could not have made a better choice,” said second-year law student Francia Orduño ’24. “McGeorge challenges me in every way, but in ways that I know will mold me into the best attorney that I can be.”

Public Policy and Government Law

McGeorge earned an “A” ranking in public policy for the fourth consecutive year and a No. 4 ranking for Government Law. The public policy ranking recognizes McGeorge as one of the top 10 law schools in the nation for public policy. McGeorge is one of only two California-based law schools, along with UC Berkeley, to receive the honor this year. McGeorge’s Government Law ranking makes its program the highest ranked in California.

McGeorge provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and experience to prepare them for careers at the intersection of government law and policy. McGeorge is located three miles from the California State Capitol Building and is home to the Capital Center for Law & Policy. 

“McGeorge is the Capitol’s law school. Our proximity to the Capitol building and our unmatched network of alumni working in the Capitol arena provide students with access to government and policymaking on a level possible only at McGeorge,” said Erin O’Neal, director of the Capital Center for Law & Policy and Capital Lawyering Concentration.

The school’s one-of-a-kind Legislative and Public Policy Clinic gives students the opportunity to craft and implement changes to public policy while completing their degree. Since the clinic’s inception in 2015, students have drafted more than 30 bills that have been introduced by members of the California Legislature, with more than 17 enacted into law. 

Trial Advocacy

Additionally, McGeorge earned an A ranking in trial advocacy and is one of only four California-based law schools to receive the honor this year. The recognition marks McGeorge’s sixth consecutive appearance on the annual list and places McGeorge among the top 22 law schools in the nation for trial advocacy.

“McGeorge’s successes this year once again demonstrate the extraordinary quality of the law school’s faculty, program and coaches,” said Reza Rezvani, associate director of trial advocacy and assistant professor of law.

Students involved in McGeorge School of Law’s trial advocacy program excel at some of the nation’s best intercollegiate mock trial events. 

•    Mandi Weburg ’24, Alec Watson ’23, Holly Pounders ’23 and Darrin Baluyot ’23 won Region Three of the All-Star Bracket and competed at the national finals. 
•    Razia Bath ’24, Kris Chaney ’24, Kai Ellsworth ’24 and Karla Noyles ’24 won the Annual San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association Mock Trial Competition. 
•    Abby Williams ’23 and Mark Marsenovic ’23 won Region 14 of the Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial Competition and will represent McGeorge at the national finals.

Learn more about DEIB at McGeorge, the Capital Center for Law & Policy and the Eglet Center for Advocacy & Dispute Resolution.