The Best West Coast Law Schools

Stanford Law School

• Stanford University established its law department in 1893 and its Law School in 1908. Stanford Law School students work toward the Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) degree, Master of Laws (LLM) degree, Master of the Science of Law (JSM) degree and Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) degree. Students can also work toward joint degrees, including a law degree and a degree in international policy studies, philosophy, political science, public policy, international studies, environment and resources, business or economics. In 2010, "U.S. News & World Report" magazine ranked Stanford third among the nation's law schools.

  Stanford Law School
  Crown Quadrangle, 559 Nathan Abbott Way
  Stanford, CA 94305
  650-723-2465
  law.stanford.edu/

University of California at Berkeley School of Law

• The University of California at Berkeley School of Law offers a variety of degree programs. Students can apply to work toward a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a PhD degree in jurisprudence and social policy, a Master of Laws (LLM) degree or a Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) degree. The school collaborates with Tufts University and Harvard University to offer combined degree programs leading toward a JD and a master's degree. The University of California at Berkeley tied for seventh in "U.S. News & World Report" magazine's 2010 ranking of the nation's law schools.

  University of California at Berkeley School of Law
  215 Boalt Hall
  Berkeley, CA 94720
  510-642-1741
  law.berkeley.edu/

University of California, Los Angeles School of Law

• The University of California, Los Angeles founded its School of Law in 1949. As of 2009, the school had about 320 students. The school offers Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM) and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree programs as well as a variety of joint degree programs in law and management, philosophy, public health, public policy, social welfare and urban planning. Students can also work toward certificates in certain areas of specialization, including business law and policy, critical race studies, public interest law and policy, entertainment and media law, and policy and law and philosophy. The University of California, Los Angeles tied for 15th in "U.S. News & World Report" magazine's 2010 ranking of the nation's law schools.

  University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
  405 Hilgard Ave.
  Los Angeles, CA 90095
  310-825-8202
  Law.ucla.edu/