Southwestern Law School

Southwestern Law School. Founded in 1911 by John J. Schumacher, it is one of the oldest law schools in California and has been a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1974. The institution is known for its innovative programs, historic Art Deco campus, and strong focus on practical legal training within the dynamic environment of Los Angeles.

History

The school was established as the Southwestern College of Law during a period of rapid growth in Los Angeles, with an early mission to provide opportunity, particularly for women and minorities. It merged with the University of Southern California in 1913, operating for a time as the University of Southern California Law School, before re-establishing its independence in 1915. A significant chapter began in 1974 with the acquisition of the iconic Bullocks Wilshire department store building, a landmark of Streamline Moderne architecture designed by John and Donald Parkinson. The school achieved American Bar Association accreditation in 1971 and has since developed nationally recognized programs in entertainment law, criminal law, and trial advocacy.

Campus

The main campus is centered around the meticulously restored Bullocks Wilshire building, a designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument located in the Wilshire Center district. This building houses the Leigh H. Taylor Law Library, courtrooms, and administrative offices, blending historic preservation with modern educational technology. The campus also includes the adjacent, purpose-built Westmoreland Building, which contains additional classrooms, the Julian C. Dixon Courtroom and Advocacy Center, and student commons areas. Its location provides students with proximity to key legal institutions like the California Court of Appeal for the Second District, the Los Angeles County Superior Court, and numerous law firms and corporations.

Academics

The school offers the Juris Doctor degree through several flexible schedules, including a traditional full-time program, a part-time evening program, and a unique two-year J.D. program known as SCALE, one of the first of its kind in the nation. It grants Master of Laws degrees in entertainment and media law, and an online LL.M. in entertainment and media law. The curriculum emphasizes skills training through extensive clinical programs, externships with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, and competitive moot court teams. The Biederman Entertainment and Media Law Institute is a leading center for scholarship and networking in the field, regularly hosting events with figures from The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., and major talent agencies.

Notable alumni

Graduates have achieved prominence across the judiciary, public service, and the entertainment industry. Notable jurists include the late Arthur L. Alarcón, a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and Cormac J. Carney, a judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California. In government, alumni include former Los Angeles County District Attorney John K. Van de Kamp and former United States Representative Julian C. Dixon. The entertainment bar is represented by influential lawyers like John G. Branca, a prominent music attorney for artists such as The Beatles and Michael Jackson. Other distinguished graduates include Michele Roberts, former executive director of the National Basketball Players Association.

Publications and programs

The school publishes the *Southwestern Law Review*, the *Journal of International Media & Entertainment Law*, and the *Southwestern Journal of International Law*. Its award-winning Trial Advocacy Program consistently ranks among the best in the country, with teams winning national championships in competitions like the National Trial Competition. Through the Children's Rights Clinic and the Immigration Law Clinic, students provide direct legal services to underserved communities. The school also houses the Iranian-American Lawyers Association and hosts major symposia on topics ranging from intellectual property to criminal justice reform, often featuring speakers from the Supreme Court of California and the United States Department of Justice.

Category:Law schools in California Category:Educational institutions established in 1911 Category:Universities and colleges in Los Angeles