Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Full-Time

McGeorge School of Law offers programs leading to the Juris Doctor (JD) degree through a Full-Time Division and a Part-Time Division. The two divisions have the same curriculum, faculty, and methods of instruction; maintain the same scholastic standards and degree requirements; and adhere to the same objectives.

Full-Time students take Skills Lab, Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, Global Lawyering Skills I & II, The Legal Profession, Statutes and Regulations, Property, and Torts during the first-year; Global Lawyering Skills III, Constitutional Law and Evidence during the second-year; and Professional Responsibility during either the second- or third-year. First-year required courses must be taken with the division in which a student is enrolled unless an exception is approved by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Upper-division electives and required courses may be taken during the day or evening hours, as individual schedules permit.

Required Units

88 semester units are required for graduation. Of those 88 units, 72 semester units must be earned in graded courses.

Required Courses

First Year
LAW 100Skills Lab- Torts1
LAW 104The Legal Profession1
LAW 105Civil Procedure4
LAW 110Contracts4
LAW 115Criminal Law4
LAW 125Property4
LAW 131Torts4
LAW 134Global Lawyering Skills I2
LAW 135Global Lawyering Skills II3
LAW 517Statutes and Regulations3
Second Year
LAW 136Global Lawyering Skills III3
LAW 163Constitutional Law4
LAW 174Evidence4
Full-Time Students who are selected for University of the Pacific's Law Review Comment Staff are strongly encouraged to take both Comment and Global Lawyering Skills III, but may opt out of Global Lawyering Skills III. For students who complete courses, Global Lawyering Skills III may count towards the simulation section of the Experiential Curriculum requirement.
Second or Third Year
LAW 185Professional Responsibility2
Total Hours43

Minimum GPA

The minimum cumulative GPA required for graduation is 2.33.

Bar Exam

If a student sits for any bar exam (excluding the Patent Bar) prior to completion of all degree requirements, they will not earn a JD degree from McGeorge. An exception may be made for a student who wishes to sit for the Delaware or North Dakota bar exam, which is offered only one time per year.

Period of Study

Students must complete their JD degree within 84 months of matriculation.

Application for Graduation

Students must complete the Application for Graduation via insidePacific no later than the Add/Drop Deadline two semesters before they intend to graduate.

Any student who anticipates that they will graduate earlier or later than expected is advised to seek academic advising with the Office of Student Affairs and must notify the Registrar of any changes to their expected graduation date.

Part-Time

McGeorge School of Law offers programs leading to the Juris Doctor (JD) degree through a Full-Time Division and a Part-Time Division. The two divisions have the same curriculum, faculty, and methods of instruction; maintain the same scholastic standards and degree requirements; and adhere to the same objectives.

Part-Time students take Skills Lab, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Global Lawyering Skills I & II, The Legal Profession, and Torts during the first-year; Global Lawyering Skills III, Contracts, Statutes and Regulations, Property, Constitutional Law during the second-year; Evidence during the third-year; and Professional Responsibility during either the third- or fourth-year, or any summer.  To stay on track for graduation, part-time students generally must take 2-5 units each summer. First- and second-year required courses must be taken with the division in which a student is enrolled unless an exception is approved by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Upper-division electives and required courses may be taken during the day or evening hours, as individual schedules permit.

Required Units

88 semester units are required for graduation. Of those 88 units, 72 semester units must be earned in graded courses.

Required Courses

First Year
LAW 100Skills Lab- Torts1
LAW 104The Legal Profession1
LAW 105Civil Procedure4
LAW 115Criminal Law4
LAW 131Torts4
LAW 134Global Lawyering Skills I2
LAW 135Global Lawyering Skills II3
Second Year
LAW 110Contracts4
LAW 125Property4
LAW 136Global Lawyering Skills III3
LAW 163Constitutional Law4
LAW 517Statutes and Regulations3
Part-Time students are eligible to solicit for University of the Pacific Law Review Comment Staff during their third year. For students who complete both Global Lawyering Skills III and Comment, Global Lawyering Skills III may count towards the simulation section of the Experiential Curriculum requirement.
Third Year
LAW 174Evidence4
Third or Fourth Year, or Any Summer*
LAW 185Professional Responsibility2
Total Hours43

*To stay on track for graduation, part-time students generally must take 2-5 units each summer.

Minimum GPA

The minimum cumulative GPA required for graduation is 2.33.

Bar Exam

If a student sits for any bar exam (excluding the Patent Bar) prior to completion of all degree requirements, they will not earn a JD degree from McGeorge. An exception may be made for a student who wishes to sit for the Delaware or North Dakota bar exam, which is offered only one time per year.

Period of Study

Students must complete their JD degree within 84 months of matriculation.

Application for Graduation

Students must complete the Application for Graduation via insidePacific no later than the Add/Drop Deadline two semesters before they intend to graduate.

Any student who anticipates that they will graduate earlier or later than expected is advised to seek academic advising with the Office of Student Affairs and must notify the Registrar of any changes to their expected graduation date.

Juris Doctor Certificate of Concentration Programs

McGeorge's diverse electives and co-curricular offerings allow you to explore a variety of legal career opportunities. If you have a particular career path in mind, our certificates of concentration will enhance your JD experience and allow you to master a specific practice area.

For general questions about the Certificate of Concentration Programs, contact the Office of Student Affairs at sacstudentaffairs@pacific.edu or 916.739.7089.

Business Certificate of Concentration

Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic once said, “A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.” That is what the Business Concentration strives to provide for interested students. The demands and complexities of a global economy require a strong basis in business law.  To fulfill the Business Concentration, students complete a series of courses designed to equip new lawyers with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a legal career with a business emphasis.  This concentration is for students interested in pursuing a general business practice or a specialized business practice such as bankruptcy, cor­porate, commercial, employment, international, or real estate law.

How to Apply

Apply by submitting the online application, which requires that you attach your resume.  This application should be submitted at the earliest stages of your planning but, in no event, after the add/drop deadline of your final law-school term. 

Requirements & Curriculum

Students must complete Business Associations and the required number of core and elective courses designated below.  With the approval of the Director of the Business Law Concentration, a tax or business course of at least two units, whether domestic or international, not included on the list of elective courses may be substituted.  If a student completes more than one core course, the additional core course(s) will automatically be applied toward the satisfaction of the requirement for elective courses.  Twelve to sixteen units are required for the completion of the Business Law Concentration.

 
12 to 16 units required for completion of Concentration
REQUIRED COURSE
LAW 151Business Associations4
CORE COURSES (complete one) *If a student completes more than one Core Course, the additional course(s) will automatically be applied toward the satisfaction of the requirement for Elective Courses.
LAW 210Business Planning2-3
LAW 220Banking Law3
LAW 225Bankruptcy2-3
LAW 255Federal Securities Regulations3
LAW 260Commercial Law3
LAW 300Federal Income Taxation3
LAW 310Taxation of Corporations and Partnerships3
LAW 433Employment Law3
LAW 500Administrative Law3
LAW 555Labor Law3
LAW 625International Business Transactions3
ELECTIVE COURSES (complete three)
LAW 214Small Business Seminar2
LAW 240Insurance Law2-3
LAW 257Making Deals2
LAW 280U.S. Antitrust and International Competition Law2
LAW 297Sports Law2-3
LAW 302Estate and Gift Tax/Estate Planning3
LAW 325Taxation of Real Estate Transactions3
LAW 375U.S. Taxation of International Transactions3
LAW 405Worker's Compensation Law2
LAW 410White Collar Crime2
LAW 503Legislation and Statutory Interpretation3
LAW 507Environmental Law3
LAW 560Land Use Planning2
LAW 586Federal Indian Law2-3
LAW 630International Banking2
LAW 635Transnational Litigation3
LAW 647International Economic Law2
LAW 650European Union Law1-3
LAW 675U.S. & International Sale of Goods2
LAW 689International Commercial and Investment Arbitration3
LAW 699FCybersecurity Law & Policy1-2
Choose only one of the following Intellectual Property Courses (2-3 units):
Copyright Law
Patent Law
Survey of Intellectual Property Law
Trademark Law
International Intellectual Property
One Externship or Legal Clinic with a tax or business law focus (advance approval required)2-3

Questions?

Professor Christine Manolakas, Director of the Business Certificate of Concentration: cmanolakas@pacific.edu | 916.739.7110

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 517Statutes and Regulations3
LAW 576Cap. Lawyering and Pol. Making2
Experiential Course (complete one)
LAW 853Legislative & 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 187Law and Ethics in Government2-3
LAW 209Local Agency Practice2
LAW 230Water Resources Law2-3
LAW 235Environmental Practice3
LAW 240Insurance Law2-3
LAW 304Mental Health - Policy and Law2
LAW 500Administrative Law3
LAW 503Legislation and Statutory Interpretation3
LAW 507Environmental Law3
LAW 550Immigration Law and Policy3
LAW 555Labor Law3
LAW 560Land Use Planning2
LAW 567Election Law2
LAW 568California Initiative Seminar2
LAW 580Public Education Law2-3
LAW 699FCybersecurity Law & Policy1-2
LAW 699GInformation Privacy Law2
LAW 699HRace, Mass Incarceration & Criminal Justice Reform3
LAW 699ILeadership in Organizations2
LAW 699JGaming Law and Regulation1
LAW 699SReproductive Rights and Justice1
LAW 701Poverty Law3
LAW 745Elder Law and Social Policy3
LAW 780Sexual Orientation and Gender ID2
LAW 802Negotiation and Settlements Seminar2 or 3
LAW 822Lawmaking in California (Strongly recommended for students planning to take the Legislative and Public Policy Clinic.)2
LAW 853Legislative & Public Policy Clinic (2nd Semester)3
LAW 922Pacific Legislative Law Review1
Additional Clinic or Externship with a Capital Lawyering Focus3

Questions?

Professor Erin O'Neal, Director, Capital Center for Law & Policy and Capital Lawyering Concentration: eoneal@pacific.edu | 916.325.4635

Elder and Health Certificate of Concentration 

This concentration combines two dynamic and closely related areas of the law. Both legal areas are interdisciplinary and grounded in policy, legal compliance, and ethics. A legal practice in either broad area provides stimulating and rewarding work. As one of only four ABA Accredited Schools in California with a Health Law Concentration and only three in the nation with an Elder Law Concentration, the McGeorge Elder & Health Law Concentration provides students with a robust and relevant opportunity to focus their study on two of the most needed areas of practice now and in the future.

How to Apply

Apply by submitting the online application, which requires that you attach your resume and Statement of Purpose (at least 200 words on why you want to obtain the certificate of concentration and how it fits into your career goals). This application should be submitted at your earliest stages of planning, and in no case may be submitted after the Add/Drop Deadline of your final law school term. Students must schedule an appointment with the Faculty Director to plan their required curriculum and activities.

Requirements & Curriculum

Students must complete the core and elective courses designated below. Membership and participation in the McGeorge Health Law Association is encouraged. With prior written approval, the Certificate of Concentration Director may vary the requirements of this program in individual cases for good cause or depending on offerings in any year. 

13 units minimum required for completion of Concentration
REQUIRED CORE COURSES (complete two courses)
LAW 500Administrative Law3
LAW 570Health Law3
LAW 745Elder Law and Social Policy3
EXPERIENTIAL COURSES (complete one course)
LAW 747Elder & Health Law Clinic1-3
LAW 954Externship (approved by director)3
ELECTIVE COURSES (complete five units)
LAW 170Wills and Trusts3
LAW 302Estate and Gift Tax/Estate Planning3
LAW 304Mental Health - Policy and Law2
LAW 526Mediation3
LAW 528Online Dispute Resolution1
LAW 573Bioethics and Public Health Law1-3
LAW 699SReproductive Rights and Justice1-2
LAW 802Negotiation and Settlements Seminar2 or 3
Additional Clinic or Externship3

Questions?

Professor Melissa Brown, Director of the Health Concentration: mbrown1@pacific.edu | 916.739.7378

Intellectual Property Certificate of Concentration

Intellectual property law is one of the most dynamic fields in the legal profession — for lawyers with and without undergraduate degrees in science. In order to meet the growing demand for lawyers in this area of practice, McGeorge offers courses in intellectual property law and a specialized curriculum leading to a J.D. degree with an Intellectual Property Concentration. Careers in Intellectual Property Law include: Patent Lawyer, Copyright Lawyer, Entertainment Lawyer, Trademark Lawyer, Intellectual Property Litigator, Media Lawyer, Trademark Examiner, Patent Examiner, In-house Counsel for movie studios and biotech, publishing, software, and Internet companies, or Artist's Representative. 

How to Apply

Apply by submitting the online application, which requires that you attach your resume and Statement of Purpose (at least 200 words on why you want to obtain the certificate of concentration and how it fits into your career goals). This application should be submitted at your earliest stages of planning, and in no case may be submitted after the Add/Drop Deadline of your final law school term. Students must schedule an appointment with the Faculty Director to plan their required curriculum and activities.  The Director has discretion to substitute core and elective courses.

Requirements & Curriculum

  • Complete at least three (3) Core Courses
  • Complete at least two (2) units of Elective Courses. Students who complete all four Core Courses may apply two (2) units towards their elective units.
  • A minimum of 14 units are required to complete the Intellectual Property Certificate of Concentration.
  • The Director has discretion to substitute core and elective courses.
14 units minimum required for completion of Concentration
CORE COURSES (complete at least three courses)UNITS
LAW 265Copyright Law3
LAW 266Patent Law3
LAW 275Survey of Intellectual Property Law3
LAW 285Trademark Law2
ELECTIVE COURSES (complete two courses)
LAW 267Patent Prosecution2
LAW 280U.S. Antitrust and International Competition Law2
LAW 290Computer and Internet Law3
LAW 297Sports Law2-3
LAW 680International Intellectual Property1-3

Questions?

Professor Michael Mireles, Director of the Intellectual Property Concentration: mmireles@pacific.edu | 916.739.7154

International Certificate of Concentration

Globalization is transforming the practice of law, obliging an increasing proportion of legal professionals to learn how to respond to the challenges presented by transnational and intercultural practice. McGeorge’s International Certificate of Concentration offers a strong foundation for a broad array of careers, whether your interests draw you toward public service or the private sector, to work abroad or in California, to litigation, transactions or a legislative/regulatory practice. Students who complete the certificate of concentration requirements will graduate with a solid grounding in public and private international law, in-depth exposure to at least one specialized doctrinal area, and advanced skills training that can help to provide a bridge to practice.

How to Apply

Apply by submitting the online application, which requires that you attach your resume and Statement of Purpose (at least 200 words on why you want to obtain the certificate of concentration and how it fits into your career goals). This application should be submitted at your earliest stages of planning, and in no case may be submitted after the Add/Drop Deadline of your final law school term. Students must schedule an appointment with the Faculty Director to plan their required curriculum and activities.

Requirements & Curriculum

Students must complete at least 11 units in the course categories designated below, including at least one capstone or experiential course or activity. With prior written approval, the Concentration Directors may vary the certificate requirements for good cause.

11 units minimum required for completion of Concentration
CORE COURSES (6 units minimum)UNITS
LAW 600Public International Law 13
Plus at least one of the following courses
LAW 625International Business Transactions 1,2,33
LAW 635Transnational Litigation 1,23
SPECIALIZED COURSES (minimum 5 units)
LAW 280U.S. Antitrust and International Competition Law2
LAW 375U.S. Taxation of International Transactions3
LAW 550Immigration Law and Policy 13
LAW 608International and Foreign Legal Research1-2
LAW 614International Protection of Human Rights3
LAW 619International Criminal Law 32-3
LAW 620International Environmental Law3
LAW 621International Water Resources Law Seminar (Course qualifies for experiential or capstone credit.) 43
LAW 630International Banking2
LAW 631International Negotiations (Course qualifies for experiential or capstone credit.) 42
LAW 647International Economic Law2
LAW 650European Union Law 31-3
LAW 675U.S. & International Sale of Goods2
LAW 680International Intellectual Property 31-3
LAW 689International Commercial and Investment Arbitration (Course qualifies for experiential or capstone credit.) 43
LAW 692Comparative Freedom of Expression (offered only at McGeorge's summer program in Salzburg, Austria.) 51
LAW 705Introduction to Space Law1
LAW 865Immigration Clinic (Course qualifies for experiential or capstone credit.) 43
LAW 990Directed Research1-2

1Courses are typically offered every academic year. Courses not so marked are typically offered once every two years.
2Courses are requirements of the McGeorge LLM in Transnational Business Practice.
3Courses will likely be taught by adjunct professors, including in some cases members of McGeorge's International Board of Advisors or faculty emeriti.
4Courses qualify for experiential or capstone credit.
5Courses are offered only at McGeorge's summer program in Salzburg, Austria.

Questions?

Professors Omar Dajani odajani@pacific.edu | 916.739.7018 & Jarrod Wong jwong@pacific.edu | 916-739-7231, co-directors of the International Certificate of Concentration

Tax Certificate of Concentration

A basic understanding of the law of federal taxation is a valuable asset upon entering the legal profession.  The Tax Law Concentration is intended to provide students the opportunity to pursue a focused and integrated course of study regarding federal tax law.  Graduates with the Tax Law Concentration find employment opportunities as tax, business, or estate planning specialists in private firms.  Accounting firms, corporations, real estate entities, charitable organizations, and state and federal governmental agencies are also interested in graduates with a strong background in federal taxation.

How to Apply

Apply by submitting the online application, which requires that you attach your resume.  This application should be submitted at the earliest stages of your planning but, in no event, after the add/drop deadline of your final law-school term. 

Requirements & Curriculum

Students must complete the required core courses and the required number of elective courses designated below.  With prior approval, the Director of the Tax Law Concentration may vary the requirements of this program in individual cases for good cause.  Twelve units are required for the completion of the Tax Law Concentration.

12 units minimum required for completion of Concentration
CORE COURSES (complete both courses)UNITS
LAW 300Federal Income Taxation3
LAW 310Taxation of Corporations and Partnerships3
ELECTIVE COURSES (complete two courses)
LAW 210Business Planning2-3
LAW 302Estate and Gift Tax/Estate Planning3
LAW 325Taxation of Real Estate Transactions3
LAW 375U.S. Taxation of International Transactions3
Externship or Legal Clinic with a tax law focus (only one - advanced written approval required)3

Questions?

Professor Christine Manolakas, Faculty Director, Tax Concentration: cmanolakas@pacific.edu | 916.739.7110

Trial & Appellate Advocacy Certificate of Concentration

Students who wish to become litigators receive specialized practical training to prepare for careers in litigation, civil and/or criminal trial and appellate work, or dispute resolution. A wide range of courses enables students to learn and demonstrate competencies in writing, appellate and trial advocacy, evidence, trial preparation and conduct, alternative dispute resolution, negotiation, and counseling and representation of clients.

How to Apply

Apply by submitting the online application, which requires that you attach your resume. This application should be submitted at your earliest stages of planning, and in no case may be submitted after the Add/Drop Deadline of your final law school term. The Faculty Director will schedule a meeting with the applicant if required.

Requirements & Curriculum

Students must complete the Core and required Elective Courses listed below. A minimum of 14 total credits is required, in addition to Evidence and GLS III, which are required of all students. 

In addition to the one required Elective course from each of the three Elective categories below (Pretrial, ADR, and Capstone), which will total at least six (6) credits, the student may choose courses from any of the four Elective sections to accumulate the 14-credit minimum.

Note that not all courses are offered every year. Students should plan their curriculum with this in mind, checking the Academic Schedule for the coming year and for the year thereafter (see, e.g., the projection of courses for 2020-21 (pdf))1

With prior written approval, the Concentration Director may vary the requirements of the program in individual cases for good cause.

14 units minimum required for completion of Concentration (plus GLS III and Evidence)
CORE COURSES
LAW 136Global Lawyering Skills III3
LAW 812Trial Advocacy & Evidence Skills (required)3
Clinic or Externship with a substantial litigation or ADR focus (advance written approval from the Concentration Director is required). Federal Pretrial/Trial Litigation Seminar, with its associated Clinic, may be used to meet both (a) the Clinic or Externship requirement and (b) either Pretrial Advocacy or Alternative Dispute Resolution. The student must complete both semesters. 3
ELECTIVE COURSES - PRETRIAL ADVOCACY (complete at least one course)
LAW 804Criminal Pretrial Litigation2
LAW 809Civil Pretrial Litigation2
LAW 821Taking and Defending Depositions2
LAW 824Written Discovery2
LAW 895Federal Pretrial/Trial Litigation Seminar2
ELECTIVE COURSES - ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (complete one course)
LAW 308Art of Plea Bargaining2
LAW 526Mediation3
LAW 631International Negotiations2
LAW 689International Commercial and Investment Arbitration3
LAW 802Negotiation and Settlements Seminar2 or 3
LAW 826Negotiating Disputes Into Deals1
LAW 895Federal Pretrial/Trial Litigation Seminar2
LAW 909Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic (May be used to meet both (a) the Clinic or Externship Requirement and (2) the Alternative Dispute Resolution requirement.)3
ELECTIVE COURSES - CAPSTONE (complete at least one)
LAW 807Advanced Appellate Advocacy Seminar (Students must complete two semesters)4
LAW 815Advanced Trial Advocacy3
LAW 969Mock Trial Evidence (Students must complete two semesters)2
LAW 970Mock Trial Team (Students must complete two semesters)2
ELECTIVE COURSES - OTHER LITIGATION-RELATED (optional)
LAW 209Local Agency Practice2
LAW 400Advanced Criminal Procedure2
LAW 410White Collar Crime2
LAW 415Criminal Law Defenses2
LAW 433Employment Law3
LAW 635Transnational Litigation3
LAW 706Persuasive Public Speaking2
LAW 882California Parole Hearings and Litigation1
If a student finds a course added or returning to the Schedule that may qualify as an "Other Litigation-Related Elective" (e.g., Federal Courts), the student may apply to the Director for use of that course towards the Concentration requirements.

Questions?

Professor Dan Croxall, Director of the Trial & Appellate Advocacy Certificate of Concentration: dcroxall@pacific.edu | 916.340.6177

Water and Environmental Law Certificate of Concentration

Water and Environmental law lies at the intersection of environmental responsibility and society's use of and impact on the natural world. The curriculum spans local, national and international laws. Professional opportunities vary from advocacy to regulatory compliance. This concentration provides McGeorge students with an opportunity to deeply explore the body of knowledge necessary to pursue a career working in water and environmental law. 

How to Apply

Apply by submitting the online application, which requires that you attach your resume and Statement of Purpose (at least 200 words on why you want to obtain the certificate of concentration and how it fits into your career goals). This application should be submitted at your earliest stages of planning, and in no case may be submitted after the Add/Drop Deadline of your final law school term. Students must schedule an appointment with the Faculty Director to plan their required curriculum and activities.

Requirements & Curriculum

Students must complete three required and at least two elective courses as designated below for a minimum of 13 total units (nine required plus at least four elective units including a capstone). Not every course will be offered every academic year so please plan carefully. Please contact the Concentration Directors if you need course planning assistance.

One elective must be the capstone course with a significant writing requirement, as designated by the Concentration Directors each academic year. For Directed Research, Externships for Credit, or Legislative & Public Policy Clinic, work must be focused on water or environmental issues and approved in advance by the concentration directors. Upon request and approval, the Concentration Directors may vary the requirements of this program for good cause.

13 units minimum required for completion of Concentration
CORE COURSES (complete all three)
LAW 230Water Resources Law3
LAW 500Administrative Law3
LAW 507Environmental Law3
ELECTIVE COURSES (complete one or more from this list)
LAW 235Environmental Practice3
LAW 509Special Topics in Environmental Law (Ocean & Coastal Law)2 or 3
LAW 510Natural Resources Law3
LAW 511Climate Change Law & Policy2
LAW 560Land Use Planning2
LAW 620International Environmental Law3
LAW 621International Water Resources Law Seminar3
LAW 990Directed Research (Advance approval required)1-2
Externship with an environmental or water law focus (Advance written approval required; a maximum of three Externship units may be earned towards the elective courses requirement)3
ADDITIONAL ELECTIVE COURSES (optional to complete up to one from this list)
LAW 209Local Agency Practice2
LAW 576Cap. Lawyering and Pol. Making2
LAW 853Legislative & Public Policy Clinic3

Questions?

Contact Professors Jennifer Harder jharder@pacific.edu | 916.739.7189 or Rachael Salcido rsalcido@pacific.edu | 916.739.7354, co-directors of the Water and Environmental Law Certificate of Concentration

Directed Study

McGeorge is committed to the success of each student. We designed the Directed Study Program to bolster a student's command of and confidence in core legal skills, with the goal of increasing success in law school and paving the way to passing the bar exam. 

Any student whose cumulative GPA, at the end of the first academic year, falls below 3.0 shall be placed in the Directed Study Program. Once placed in the Directed Study Program, a student will remain subject to its requirements even if in subsequent years the student is no longer has a cumulative GPA below 3.0. Students who have a cumulative GPA of 2.9 to 3.0 may petition the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs to be removed from Directed Study and students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to 3.1 or higher may petition the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs to be included in some or all parts of Directed Study.

All students who qualify for Directed Study are required to participate in academic counseling with a representative from the Office of Student Affairs, each year. 

The Directed Study requirements are as follows:

Full-Time Division

Second Year
LAW 190Remedies3
Second or Third Year
LAW 151Business Associations4
At least one of the following bar courses:
LAW 155Community Property2
LAW 165Criminal Procedure3
LAW 170Wills and Trusts3
Third Year
LAW 711Practical Analysis, Strategies, & Skills (PASS) I3

Part-Time Division

Third Year
LAW 190Remedies3
Third or Fourth Year, or any Summer
LAW 151Business Associations4
At least one of the following bar courses:
LAW 155Community Property2
LAW 165Criminal Procedure3
LAW 170Wills and Trusts3
Fourth Year
LAW 711Practical Analysis, Strategies, & Skills (PASS) I3

When Principles of Agency is offered, students who qualify for Directed Study and who have a cumulative GPA below a 2.5 at the end of the first academic year, must also take Principles of Agency during the fall semester of their second year. 

Experiential Curriculum

As part of our commitment to teaching practical lawyering skills, all McGeorge students complete the Experiential Curriculum, which includes coursework where the focus is on learning by doing. Students learn to apply legal theory to practice, develop professional lawyering skills, and become reflective practitioners and lifelong learners.

Requirement

Students are required to complete two transformational capstone experiences: (1) McGeorge Legal Clinic or Externship for 3 units minimum, and (2) a second McGeorge Legal Clinic, Externship, Mock Trial, or Moot Court for 3 units minimum, and additional units of other experiential courses, including simulation courses, equaling 11 total units. (This rule is interpreted to mean students may count 6 or 7 units in the transformational capstone category, leaving 4 or 5 additional units in other experiential courses, which may include Legal Clinics, Externships, or simulations.)

Experiential courses include:

Legal Clinics:
LAW 747Elder & Health Law Clinic1-3
LAW 850Homeless Advocacy Clinic1-3
LAW 853Legislative & Public Policy Clinic3
LAW 859Small Business Law Clinic3
LAW 865Immigration Clinic1-3
LAW 874Federal Defender Clinic3
LAW 875Bankruptcy Clinic1-3
LAW 909Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic3
Externships:
LAW 954Externship3-4
LAW 956Externship - Judicial2-14
LAW 960Externship-Semester in Practice Accelerated Honors Program7
LAW 961Externship - Semester in Practice2-14
Mock Trial:
LAW 969Mock Trial Evidence1
LAW 970Mock Trial Team1-3
Moot Court:
LAW 807Advanced Appellate Advocacy Seminar2
Simulation and Practicum Courses:
LAW 136Global Lawyering Skills III (Students who take both Global Lawyering Skills III and University of the Pacific Law Review Comment may count Global Lawyering Skills III towards the simulation section of the Experiential Curriculum requirement.)3
LAW 210Business Planning2-3
LAW 211Entrepreneurial Management2
LAW 235Environmental Practice3
LAW 257Making Deals2
LAW 266Patent Law3
LAW 285Trademark Law2
LAW 300Federal Income Taxation3
LAW 308Art of Plea Bargaining1 or 2
LAW 310Taxation of Corporations and Partnerships3
LAW 325Taxation of Real Estate Transactions3
LAW 405Worker's Compensation Law2
LAW 433Employment Law3
LAW 440Family Law2-3
LAW 526Mediation2-3
LAW 528Online Dispute Resolution1
LAW 560Land Use Planning2
LAW 568California Initiative Seminar2
LAW 608International and Foreign Legal Research1-2
LAW 624Legal Spanish for U.S. Lawyers2
LAW 625International Business Transactions3
LAW 631International Negotiations2
LAW 689International Commercial and Investment Arbitration3
LAW 694International Dispute Resolution1
LAW 699ACalifornia Craft Beer Law2
LAW 699ILeadership in Organizations2
LAW 699TLaw and Legal Technology1-2
LAW 706Persuasive Public Speaking1-2
LAW 745Elder Law and Social Policy3
LAW 800Client Interviewing and Counseling2
LAW 802Negotiation and Settlements Seminar2 or 3
LAW 803Advanced Legal Research - Blended2
LAW 804Criminal Pretrial Litigation2-3
LAW 809Civil Pretrial Litigation2
LAW 812Trial Advocacy & Evidence Skills3
LAW 815Advanced Trial Advocacy3
LAW 821Taking and Defending Depositions2
LAW 822Lawmaking in California2
LAW 824Written Discovery2
LAW 826Negotiating Disputes Into Deals1
LAW 882California Parole Hearings and Litigation1
LAW 979Interviewing and Counseling Team1

Waiver for Part-Time Students

Students who work full time (approximately 40 hours/week) during normal business hours may request a waiver of the Externship/Legal Clinic portion of the Experiential Curriculum. Waiver requests will be reviewed by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and/or Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and granted for good cause only. Each student requesting a waiver will be contacted to meet personally with either the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and/or Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Before waiving the requirement, the law school will work with the student to assess if there might be a creative way for the student to fulfill this requirement without needing a waiver. For example, there are a limited number of remote externships available to students who have full-time jobs. Remote externships provide an opportunity for hands-on legal work in non-business hours and may be a good fit for some students who are working full time.

Institutional Learning Outcomes

At McGeorge, our learning outcomes are the lawyering skills that students are expected to obtain through the completion of a legal education. Consistent with ABA Standards, upon completion of a JD degree, graduates of the McGeorge School of Law will demonstrate mastery of the following student learning outcomes at the level needed for admission to the bar and effective and ethical participation in the legal profession as an entry level attorney. McGeorge School of Law has designed its curriculum to prepare students with the key skills and competencies needed to demonstrate these learning outcomes in the legal profession.

Each student will:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to identify and understand key concepts in U.S. substantive law, legal theory, and procedure.
  2. Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to perform competent legal analysis, reasoning, and problem solving.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to strategize, develop, and conduct efficient legal research in U.S. law.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to identify and understand foundational concepts in international law and to perform international legal research.
  5. Demonstrate communication skills, including effective listening and critical reading, writing in objective and persuasive styles, and oral advocacy and other oral communications.
  6. Demonstrate professional judgment, ethics, and professionalism through conduct consistent with the legal profession's values, standards, and discipline.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to understand, collaborate, and engage with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences in a variety of legal settings and contexts.
  8. Demonstrate understanding of the legal profession’s commitment to access to justice.
  9. Demonstrate understanding of career options and steps toward defining and achieving career goals in light of personal values.