A Commitment to Diversity
Southwestern Law School is one of the most diverse law school communities in the country. Since its founding in 1911, Southwestern has been in the forefront of encouraging the enrollment of women and minorities, and continues to promote diversity among the student body and faculty through a variety of avenues.
Students
Students come to Southwestern from virtually every state and a dozen foreign countries, and represent over 250 undergraduate institutions. About two-thirds have prior work experience or have already completed advanced degrees in diverse disciplines from accounting to urban planning. The most recent entering class is equally divided between women and men, while minorities make up 38 percent, and students report fluency in over 35 foreign languages. The average age is 26, with a range from 20 to 52.
"Southwestern is diverse - both in terms of racial diversity as well as cultural diversity. People come from many different backgrounds and different beliefs. It is not only the students, but the faculty, too. I think that is unique about Southwestern."
- Metu Ogike '04
Faculty
The Southwestern faculty also represents a variety of backgrounds and interests. Of the more than 50 full-time faculty members, over a third are women and 20% percent are minorities. This distinguished group of legal scholars includes nationally recognized experts on antitrust, bankruptcy, criminal law and procedure, entertainment and sports law, evidence, family law, housing and community development, international law and labor law.
Diversity Awards
Southwestern has received formal recognition for its emphasis on diversity from such organizations as the California Minority Counsel, which awarded the law school the
LEXIS-NEXIS Law School Racial and Ethnic Diversity Award, citing Southwestern's "long history of encouraging diversity, its comprehensive efforts in admissions, financial aid, academic support and placement, support of its diverse student organizations, and its community outreach programs;" the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles which presented Southwestern with the Myra Bradwell Award (the first law school to be so honored) for "promoting and advancing women lawyers and issues important to women;" and Hispanic Business magazine, which has recognized Southwestern as one of the "top law schools for Hispanic students" for several years running. Southwestern is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
Special Scholarship Programs
Southwestern offers approximately 25 John J. Schumacher Minority Leadership Scholarships annually, providing up to full tuition to members of the entering class whose academic and leadership qualities are exceptional. Recipients in good academic standing are eligible for renewable awards and are selected on the basis of a strong LSAT score and undergraduate grade point average (of at least a B) in addition to demonstration of leadership skills and other factors. A number of institutional scholarships which aid deserving minority students are also available including the MALDEF Scholarship Program, sponsored by the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund; the Dino Hirsch Memorial Scholarship Fund for Hispanic Students who are planning a career in public service; the Beverly Hills Bar Association Foundation Scholarship Fund for minority law students with financial need; the Sarah Kim Scholarship Fund for Korean-American law students with financial need; and the Bernard Burch Memorial Scholarship Fund, created for minority evening students.
Four Programs of Study
Southwestern has been able to attract students from many different backgrounds, from all over the world, partially as a result of its four J.D. programs of study which give students flexibility in terms of time and curriculum. The four courses of study are:
- a three-year, full-time traditional day program;
- a four-year, part-time traditional evening program;
- a four-year, part-time traditional day program known as PLEAS (Part-time Legal Education Alternative at Southwestern) for students with child care responsibilities; and
- a two-calendar-year, full-time day program known as SCALE® (Southwestern's Conceptual Approach to Legal Education).
Academic Support
Southwestern is not only committed to accepting a diverse group of qualified applicants, but to retaining and graduating these students. This commitment is demonstrated in the law school's strong Academic Support Program. Students in this program attend a two-week summer session and meet weekly during the academic year to review writing and study skills, as well as examination techniques. An additional component of the program conducted during the school year is open to all first-year students. In addition to the formal support program, students can also take advantage of academic counseling, and a mentor program which pairs all first-year students with continuing students who can provide insight and guidance into the law school experience.
Student Organizations
Prominent Alumni
Among Southwestern's many minority graduates who have distinguished themselves in the profession and the community are the Hon. Vaino Spencer, Presiding Justice, California Court of Appeal; the Hon. Ronald S.W. Lew, United states District Judge; the late Tom Bradley, Mayor of Los Angeles for 20 years; the late Julian Dixon, U.S. Congressman; Matthew Fong, former Treasurer of California; Richard Orosco, former Director of the IRS, Los Angeles district; the Hon. Ricardo Torres, former Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
