History
Western State, founded in 1966, is Orange County's oldest law school and is located in the college town of Fullerton about 30 miles south of metropolitan Los Angeles. As Orange County has grown into a dynamic financial, business and high technology center with a population over three million and the legal community has expanded dramatically, Western State quickly became a well-respected center for legal education in Southern California, with over 11,000 graduates.
Western State’s accomplished alumni have excelled in public and private legal practice, business, government, and academia. The school also proudly points to the fact that in recent years, Western State has produced approximately 150 of California's judicial officers, more than any other local law school.
Throughout its history, Western State has continued to maintain the highest standards of legal education with an emphasis on solid academic foundation and practical lawyering experience; its mission to provide opportunity for a diverse student body; and an exceptionally supportive learning environment with an accessible, teaching-oriented faculty.
Western State is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60610, (312) 988-5000).Western State students are eligible to apply for bar membership in any state in the nation; in 2010 and again in 2011 graduates taking the challenging California Bar Exam for the first time have passed at rates which exceed the average for ABA law schools in the state.
Western State is dedicated to providing students with the support, guidance, and training necessary to realize their potential. Western State offers both full- and part-time programs and throughout its 45 year history has been committed to the excellence of its teaching and to preparing students for the practice of law.
Western State's student body is diverse and reflects the law school's mission to serve the community. That diversity is also reflected in the dedicated and highly accessible, teaching-oriented faculty, who serve as scholars and mentors both inside and outside of the classroom.
Western State has been affiliated with Argosy University since 2001. In 2012 Western State became a college of Argosy University and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, California, 94501, http://www.wascsenior.org).
Prospective Students
RSVP required for all events!
Please send RSVP to wsursvp@wsulaw.edu
with the name and date of the event in the subject line. More details will be
emailed to you once your RSVP is received!
BE A LAW STUDENT FOR A DAY
Sit in on a class, take a tour with our friendly advisers, and have lunch with current Western State students!
Wednesday, January 30
Tuesday, February 26
Thursday, March 28
Wednesday, April 17
PREPARING FOR THE PRACTICE OF LAW
Where your academic preparation meets practical experience!
Western State College of Law
Saturday, February 23
from 9:00am - 2:00pm
Law is an exciting and challenging field—do you have what it takes to
succeed in today’s legal market? Are you up to the rigorous academics
of law school and the demands of a career in law?
Join us for this dynamic workshop to:
- • Hear how our students acquire skills, hands-on experience, and make contacts to prepare for practice after law school
- • Learn about exciting externship opportunities in various fields of law
- • Hear from a panel of current law students and recent grads
- • Meet and network with faculty members, current students and alumni
Lunch will be provided! An optional school tour will be given after lunch.
RSVP requiredby February 15, 2013 for this event. Please RSVP to 714.459.1101 or email wsursvp@wsulaw.edu.
WEBINARS
The Admissions Process | Thursday, February 28
Financial Aid Planning & Scholarships | Wednesday, March 13
Career Development: Western’s Programs | Thursday, April 25
Getting Ready for Law School | Wednesday, May 22
*All webinars take place from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Featured Faculty
Elizabeth Jones is an Associate Professor of Law and the Director of the Criminal Law Practice Center at Western State College of Law. She received her B.A. from UCLA and her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law.
Professor Jones joined Western State in 2007. She brings with her over 12 years of courtroom experience as a
criminal defense attorney, including time spent running her own practice. Her research focuses on the rights
of juveniles within the criminal law arena. Her most recent publication entitled, “Questioning a Juvenile’s
Capacity for Criminal Liability in Street Gangs Post-Miller v Alabama” will be coming out in early 2013 in
the Children’s Legal Rights Journal (Loyola Chicago). She currently teaches a series of courses including
Criminal Law, Juvenile Law, Criminal Justice Ethics, and the Law of Vice. In 2011, Professor Jones was
awarded “Professor of the Year” by the student body for her enthusiasm and passion for teaching.
CURRICULUM VITAE