Capital Lawyering Certificate of Concentration
Capital Lawyering Concentration students complete a series of required and elective courses specially designed to prepare them to work in the Capital arena. Graduates are employed in the California legislature, Governor’s Office, in local, state and federal agencies, in private firms that specialize in political law or lobbying, in nonprofit agencies that engage in issue advocacy, and in law firms with regulatory practices in areas such as communications, energy, the environment, health, and employment. The curriculum ensures that students graduate with real-life experience and on-the-job contacts within the government, policy, and capital lawyering community. Students also participate in Capital Center student groups, attend Capital Center events, and network with Capital Center alumni.
How to Apply
Interested students should complete the online application, which includes your resume and a brief Personal Statement (minimum 200 words). Please submit your application as early as possible in your McGeorge career to best plan your course of study. In no case may applications be submitted or accepted after the Add/Drop Deadline of your final law school term. Students must schedule an appointment with the Capital Lawyering Concentration Director to plan their required curriculum and activities.
Requirements & Curriculum
Capital Lawyering students must complete a minimum of 14 units approved by the Capital Lawyering Concentration Director, comprised of required courses, an experiential learning course, and approved electives.
| 14 units minimum required for completion of Concentration | ||
| CORE COURSES (complete all) | ||
| LAW 517 | Statutes and Regulations | 3 |
| LAW 576 | Cap. Lawyering and Pol. Making | 2 |
| Experiential Course (complete one) | ||
| LAW 853 | Legislative & Public Policy Clinic (Students are strongly encouraged to take Lawmaking in California prior to enrolling in the Legislative & Public Policy Clinic.- 1st Semester) | 6 |
| Relevant Externship (approved by director) | ||
| Externship | ||
| Externship-Semester in Practice Accelerated Honors Program | ||
| Externship - Semester in Practice | ||
| Note: Evening students with jobs that meet the requirements of the externship may receive a waiver of this requirement. | ||
| ELECTIVE COURSES | ||
| LAW 187 | Law and Ethics in Government | 2-3 |
| LAW 209 | Local Agency Practice | 2 |
| LAW 230 | Water Resources Law | 2-3 |
| LAW 235 | Environmental Practice | 3 |
| LAW 240 | Insurance Law | 2-3 |
| LAW 304 | Mental Health - Policy and Law | 2 |
| LAW 500 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 503 | Legislation and Statutory Interpretation | 3 |
| LAW 507 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| LAW 550 | Immigration Law and Policy | 3 |
| LAW 555 | Labor Law | 3 |
| LAW 560 | Land Use Planning | 2 |
| LAW 567 | Election Law | 2 |
| LAW 568 | California Initiative Seminar | 2 |
| LAW 580 | Public Education Law | 2-3 |
| LAW 699F | Cybersecurity Law & Policy | 1-2 |
| LAW 699G | Information Privacy Law | 2 |
| LAW 699H | Race, Mass Incarceration & Criminal Justice Reform | 3 |
| LAW 699I | Leadership in Organizations | 2 |
| LAW 699J | Gaming Law and Regulation | 1 |
| LAW 699S | Reproductive Rights and Justice | 1 |
| LAW 701 | Poverty Law | 3 |
| LAW 745 | Elder Law and Social Policy | 3 |
| LAW 780 | Sexual Orientation and Gender ID | 2 |
| LAW 802 | Negotiation and Settlements Seminar | 2 or 3 |
| LAW 822 | Lawmaking in California (Strongly recommended for students planning to take the Legislative and Public Policy Clinic.) | 2 |
| LAW 853 | Legislative & Public Policy Clinic (2nd Semester) | 3 |
| LAW 922 | Pacific Legislative Law Review | 1 |
| Additional Clinic or Externship with a Capital Lawyering Focus | 3 | |
Questions?
Professor Erin O'Neal, Director, Capital Center for Law & Policy and Capital Lawyering Concentration: eoneal@pacific.edu | 916.325.4635
