California has a lot of law schools to choose from, ranging from well-established, prestigious universities to newer schools that are gaining attention for their innovative programs. Picking the right law school isn’t just about which one has the highest ranking; it’s about finding a school that offers the right balance of challenging academics, practical experience, and support to help you succeed in your legal career.
A good law school will cover all the key subjects like Contracts, Civil Procedure, and Constitutional Law, while also giving you the chance to focus on areas you’re passionate about, like business law, intellectual property, or public interest law.
To create our list of the best law schools in California, we carefully reviewed multiple national and state rankings, considered bar exam pass rates, employment outcomes, and the quality of experiential learning opportunities like clinics and externships. We also looked at factors like student support, mentorship programs, and the overall reputation of each school. The result is a list that highlights schools offering both academic excellence and practical experience, giving aspiring lawyers the tools they need to succeed in a competitive legal landscape.
10 Best Law Schools in California
1. Stanford Law School
Located in Palo Alto, California, Stanford Law School is widely recognized as one of the best law schools in the country. Their Juris Doctor (JD) program combines core legal courses like Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, and Constitutional Law with a wide range of electives that let you focus on what interests you most.
One of the school’s standout features is its interdisciplinary approach, meaning you can take courses from other departments to broaden your perspective and make your legal education more well-rounded.
Stanford is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), so your degree meets all professional standards for practicing law. The school keeps class sizes small, giving students more one-on-one time with professors and mentors.
2. UC Berkeley School of Law
UC Berkeley has earned its spot among the best law schools in California, thanks to a combination of academic excellence, practical training, and a focus on social impact. Located in Berkeley, California, the school’s Juris Doctor (JD) program gives students a strong foundation in core legal subjects like Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, and Criminal Law, while also offering a wide variety of electives so students can tailor their studies to their interests, whether that’s environmental law, public interest, or international law.
Berkeley Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), ensuring its graduates are fully qualified for legal practice. The school also emphasizes hands-on experience, with clinics, externships, and field placements that let students practice law in real-world settings while still in school.
3. USC Gould School of Law
When it comes to law schools in California, USC Gould School of Law in Los Angeles consistently ranks among the top choices for students. The school offers a Juris Doctor (JD) program that covers all the essential legal foundations, like Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, and Constitutional Law, while giving students the flexibility to focus on specialized areas such as Business Law, Entertainment Law, or Intellectual Property.
Gould also emphasizes experiential learning, offering clinics, externships, and joint programs that let students apply what they learn in real legal settings.
Its law program is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), USC Gould ensures that graduates are prepared to pass the bar and enter the legal profession with confidence.
4. UC Irvine School of Law
UC Irvine School of Law has quickly become one of California’s most respected law schools, known for its innovative approach to legal education. It is located in Irvine, and its Juris Doctor (JD) program is designed to give students a strong foundation in core legal subjects while also offering plenty of opportunities to focus on areas like Public Interest Law, Environmental Law, and Business Law.
The school is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), ensuring graduates are qualified to practice law nationwide. UC Irvine emphasizes small class sizes, mentorship, and collaboration, creating a supportive environment where students can thrive.
5. UC Davis School of Law
UC Davis School of Law, located in Davis, California, is known for combining strong academics with a focus on preparing students for the legal world. Their Juris Doctor (JD) program covers all the core law courses like Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, and Constitutional Law, while also letting students explore areas they’re passionate about, such as environmental law, public interest, or business law. The school makes it easy to get a well-rounded education that’s both practical and challenging.
One of the things that makes UC Davis stand out is its emphasis on hands-on experience. Students can join clinics, externships, and other real-world programs that give them a taste of actual legal work while still in school.
6. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law offers a distinctive legal education that blends academics with a commitment to ethical practice and community service. The Juris Doctor (JD) program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the law, emphasizing both theoretical foundations and practical skills.
Students engage in core courses such as Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, and Constitutional Law, while also having the opportunity to specialize in areas like Dispute Resolution, International Law, and Entertainment Law.
Through clinics, externships, and the renowned Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, students gain hands-on experience that prepares them for real-world legal challenges. The school is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
7. UC Law San Francisco
If you are aiming for a top-tier legal education in California, UC Law San Francisco (formerly known as UC Hastings) is a great choice. The school’s curriculum covers essential areas such as Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, and Constitutional Law, while also providing opportunities to specialize in fields like Intellectual Property, Business Law, and Public Interest Law.
What sets UC Law San Francisco apart is its commitment to experiential learning. Students engage in hands-on experiences through clinics, externships, and real-world projects, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge in practical settings. The school is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
8. University of La Verne College of Law
One of the best law schools in California is the University of La Verne College of Law in Ontario. Its Juris Doctor (JD) program covers important courses like Contracts, Civil Procedure, Real Property, and Constitutional Law, and also lets students focus on areas like Litigation or Transactional Law. The program is designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a lawyer.
What makes La Verne stand out is its focus on hands-on learning. Students can join clinics, externships, and live-client projects that let them practice law while still in school. The school is approved by the State Bar of California, so graduates can take the California Bar Exam. In fact, recent first-time takers have passed at rates between 66% and 73%.
9. Santa Clara University School of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law offers a strong, well-rounded legal education in the heart of Silicon Valley. It is the best law school for students interested in technology, business, or intellectual property law.
The Juris Doctor (JD) program includes core courses like Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, and Constitutional Law, while also giving students the chance to focus on areas like Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, and Environmental Law.
Santa Clara emphasizes practical experience, with clinics, externships, and opportunities to work with real clients, helping students build the skills they’ll need for their legal careers. It is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
10. Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, offers one of the most respected legal programs in Southern California, blending strong academics with real-world experience. Their Juris Doctor (JD) program covers essential subjects like Contracts, Civil Procedure, Torts, and Constitutional Law, while allowing students to explore concentrations in areas such as Entertainment Law, Public Interest Law, and Business Law.
Loyola is known for hands-on learning, offering clinics, externships, and practical projects that let students gain real experience while still in school. It is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Tuition & Financial Aid
Attending law school is a big financial commitment, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into. On average, law school in the U.S. costs around $217,000 in total, with tuition alone averaging about $138,000 over three years.
Many students rely on scholarships, grants, and federal loans to help manage these costs. It’s a good idea to explore all available financial aid options and plan so you can focus on your studies and building a legal career without unnecessary financial stress.
Student Life & Support
Law school can be intense, but there’s more to student life than just classes. Many schools offer student organizations, mentorship programs, and experiential learning opportunities that help you gain practical skills, network with peers and professionals, and build a sense of community. Getting involved outside the classroom can make your law school experience more fulfilling and better prepare you for life after graduation.
Employment Outcomes
Law school isn’t just about earning a degree; it’s about getting ready for a career. Most graduates aim to work in law firms, government agencies, or public interest roles, and schools often report that a majority of their graduates find employment within nine months of graduating. Participating in internships, clinics, and externships while in school can give you real-world experience and make your resume stand out to potential employers.