Western State Profile
School Description
Western State was founded in 1966 and is the oldest law school in Orange County, with more than 11,000 alumni. A private law school with about 500 students, Western State offers small classes taught by a dedicated and highly accessible faculty. Students receive personalized attention, and the school provides a collaborative, supportive learning environment with a strong sense of community.
Dean
William E. Adams, Jr.
Programs Offered at Western State
Western State offers both a full-time and a part-time program of instruction leading to the degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.) The full-time program, which accepts entering students each August, is normally completed in three years. The part-time program, which accepts entering students in August (day or evening), is normally completed in four years. The part-time program makes it possible for a student to continue at his or her job while going to law school.
While no specialization is required for the J.D. degree, students may opt to earn a Certificate in Business Law or in Criminal Law with a notation on their transcript by meeting additional requirements.
Faculty Profile
Western State’s accomplished faculty consists of about 28 full-time professors and 34 adjunct professors. The full-time faculty are well qualified, experienced and focused on teaching excellence. All have their J.D. degree, and many have advanced degrees in law or other disciplines. Most also have extensive experience in the practice of law. A number of the adjunct faculty are sitting judges or lawyers in practice and with extensive experience.
Student Profile
Western State’s student body is diverse and reflects the law school's mission to serve the community. Approximately 40% of the student body are minorities, and the students’ backgrounds reflect a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, life and work experience and advanced degrees.
Academic Emphasis
Western State combines teaching of traditional legal doctrine with practical skills training, and hands-on experience to prepare students for the practice of law. The Criminal Law Practice Center, Business Law Center, Immigration Clinic, and Trial Practice Program are just a few of the opportunities available to students.
Accreditation
ABA: Western State is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60610, (312) 988-5000).
WASC: Western State College of Law at Argosy University 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