Dean's Message
If you’re looking for a professional or quality law school environment where you will receive extraordinary support and an opportunity to gain the knowledge, practical skills and contacts to prepare you for your legal career, I invite you to learn more about the people and programs of Western State.
Western State has been a part of the legal community of Southern California for over 45 years. The oldest law school in Orange County, a desirable suburban location just south of metropolitan Los Angeles, Western State is a private law school and 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 (WASC). Western State benefits from the diverse culture, legal and business opportunities, and rich resources of this dynamic area.
Western State has produced more than 11,000 accomplished graduates who serve across California and around the country as respected judges, teachers, politicians, government administrators, and practicing legal professionals.
Your legal career starts in law school, and every member of the Western State faculty and staff is devoted to helping you prepare for your future. A strong academic foundation, combined with practical legal experience and invaluable contacts with alumni and other practitioners during law school, will assist you in the transition to the job market and throughout your professional career. Our highly accessible faculty is dedicated to teaching excellence, and our small classes mean personalized attention which creates a solid foundation for your success in law school and beyond.
Our curriculum emphasizes strong academics as well as the skills required for the ethical, skillful, and professional practice of law. Practical programs such as the Immigration Clinic, Business Law Center, Criminal Law Practice Center, Moot Court and Externships give you hands-on experience to build your confidence and your resume.
Your partnership with Western State extends well beyond graduation day. Faculty and alumni bar mentors help graduates strategize and prepare for the rigors of taking and passing a state bar exam. Our Career Development Office provides individualized guidance in gaining work experience during law school and planning for your job search after graduation.
The network of Western State alumni and our roots in the legal community will help position you for a productive start in your legal career. We invite you to get acquainted with our faculty, staff, students and alumni. Make an appointment to visit, sit in on a class or schedule a discussion about requirements with our admissions advisors. We’d like to see YOU at Western State this year.
Very Truly Yours,
William E. Adams, Dean