Founded in 1966, Western State University College of Law is Orange County's oldest law school, according to the college's website. The school has full approval from the American Bar Association, which means graduates can to apply for bar membership in all states. According to the Western State website, students in the program learn traditional legal doctrine, combined with practical skills and hands-on experience. Western State offers full- and part-time programs. The faculty includes 23 full-time professors, all of whom have a Juris Doctor. Most have experience in practicing law. The school also has 42 adjunct professors, several of whom are sitting judges or practicing lawyers. Students at Western State can receive real-world experience through externship programs.
Western State College of Law
1111 N. State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92831-3014
747-738-1000
wsulaw.edu
Founded in 1980 as Simon Greenleaf School of Law, the law school joined Trinity University in 1997. The university is affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America. According the law school's website, the school teaches law from a Christian perspective. The law school offers a 90-unit degree that students can take full time or part time. Full-time students complete the program in three years; part-time students finish the program in four years. Trinity also is home to the Center for Human Rights, which according to the website is a "facility for the promotion and protection of international human rights, and especially of religious liberties."
Trinity Law School
2200 N. Grand Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
800-922-4748
tiu.edu
The school of law at Chapman University opened in 1995. Since then, according to Chapman's website, U.S. News and World Report gave it a top 100 ranking. Chapman offers full- and part-time programs for law students. In addition to a Juris Doctor, Chapman operates emphasis programs, joint degrees and a Master of Laws (LL.M). As of 2010, the school's newest program is in entertainment law. Law students at Chapman can participate in legal clinics and lawyering-skills competitions. They can also receive real world experience through externships.
Chapman University School of Law
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
714-628-2500
chapman.edu