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Message from the President + Dean
Dean’s Welcome Welcome to Southwestern Law School and the legal profession! For 110 years, Southwestern has cultivated passionate, creative, client-focused attorneys and leaders. We chose you because we know you can continue this remarkable tradition of excellence. You are now a member of the legal profession. In law, a good reputation is a key to success. It can take years to build a positive reputation, but you can damage or lose it in seconds. Start building that positive professional reputation now by practicing excellence every day. Work hard. Treat everyone with respect. Read closely. Listen carefully. Be accountable. Learn from your mistakes. Help each other. Promote civility. Be honest. Keep your word.
And we’ll be here to help you. Southwestern’s entire community is invested in your success. Our talented and passionate faculty, knowledgeable and devoted staff, and your student colleagues will collectively guide you through law school, the bar exam, and beyond. I also look forward to working with you during your personal and professional journey. Let’s get started! Best always,
Darby Dickerson President + Dean
Welcome to Southwestern Law School!
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e are eager to help you get started in your new life as a law student at Southwestern. Organization and planning are the keys to a smooth transition, so we have created this printed guide and two online resources to help you prepare for your new journey. Look for an email from us with your username and password to access these websites! Here’s what you can find on each*: Welcome to Southwestern CANVAS Page - https://swlaw.instructure.com/
Event dates, RSVP links, and recordings Information on our summer prep programs Orientation information A “Getting Organized” section to keep you on track for the start of school
MySWLAW Entering Student Portal - www.swlaw.edu/portal Southwestern email account SelfService student record and information system Financial aid information *Each website is updated with more information as the start of school approaches. Check back regularly! 4
Important Events* APRIL
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SCALE First Seat Deposit Deadline** Day, Evening, PLEAS/Part-Time Day First Seat Deposit Deadline** SCALE Second Seat Deposit Deadline**
MAY
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SCALE Registration Information Sent Day, Evening, PLEAS/Part-Time Day Registration Information Sent
JUNE
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Day, Evening, PLEAS/Part-Time Day Second Seat Deposit Deadline** Mandatory SCALE Orientation First Day of SCALE Classes
AUGUST
n Mandatory Orientation for Day, Evening, PLEAS/Part-Time Day n First Day of Traditional Classes
*Additional event dates will be added to your Welcome to Southwestern CANVAS Page on a rolling basis. **Your specific deposit deadlines can be found in the pocket of this folder or at www.swlaw.edu/appstatus.
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A Leader in Diversity
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t Southwestern, we welcome, value, and celebrate diversity. With a rich legacy of access and inclusion, Southwestern has one of the most diverse student bodies of any law school and received an A+ in diversity from The National Jurist. Southwestern was the first law school to receive the State Bar of California’s Organizational Diversity Award and is the only law school to be awarded INSIGHT Into Diversity’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for seven years. We have also been honored with the LSAC Diversity Matters award, given in recognition of our extensive outreach efforts to racially and ethnically diverse grade school and undergraduate students.
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I came to law school to learn how to be an advocate for underserved communities in Los Angeles. My goal is to fight for the decriminalization of poverty, defend tenants’ rights, and stand up for the rights of the unhoused. The Public Service Program at Southwestern has helped me meet like-minded peers that are true warriors in the fight for social justice!”
JEFF M.
‘22, Full-Time Day Program President, Homelessness Prevention Law Project
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Welcome to A Supportive Community
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ur law school is a nurturing place where students discover future colleagues, caring mentors, and inspiring role models. Southwestern provides extensive programming and resources so students from all walks of life have the academic support they need.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS + BAR PREPARATION
Programs, courses, workshops, and counseling to help you achieve your full academic potential
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
Dedicated staff trained to ensure access for all students
PEER MENTORS + DEAN’S FELLOWS
Student guides to help you navigate and succeed in your new environment
STUDENT-CENTERED COUNSELING
Personal counseling services and academic advisement to help you achieve your goals
35+ STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Opportunities to socialize, develop networking skills, and connect with your fellow students through common interests
WRITING CENTER
Writing experts provide individualized assistance and specialized workshops
EASY METRORAIL ACCESS
The Wilshire/Vermont Metro station is one block from campus—connecting you to Hollywood, the downtown civic center, the Valley, and beyond
ICONIC LANDMARK
The famous Art Deco Bullocks Wilshire Building at the heart of the campus is an architectural masterpiece and an inspiring place to study
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES
Wi-Fi throughout campus, multimedia presentations in every classroom, document cameras and embedded computers in the Julian Dixon courtroom, and remote viewing all allow for high-tech learning situations
URBAN OASIS
City- and mountain-view terraces, park-like outdoor settings, and a 10,000 square-foot fitness center provide inviting spaces for study and relaxation
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Since beginning my Southwestern law school journey, my morning affirmation has been the same—‘remember, this is your meant to be.’ I came to law school because I knew I wanted to help people who have limited opportunities for access to justice. I wanted to learn how to do so at a school that cares about its students and our development as young and innovative attorneys. Southwestern has reinforced every day that being a lawyer is my meant to be. I would not be able to live out my destiny without my family, friends, and my Southwestern family. I’m a Bison forever.”
ANGEL A.
‘22, Full-Time Day Program President, Student Bar Association
Welcome to An Extraordinary Academic Environment
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outhwestern’s is not an ordinary, cookie-cutter campus. Our world-renowned Art Deco Bullocks Wilshire Building houses a variety of student resources and grounds you in the heart of Los Angeles. In our beautiful tree-lined “living-learning village,” you can enjoy an intimate environment similar to that of a small liberal arts campus but featuring resources customarily associated with a larger university. Take advantage of this optimal location, which provides easy access to courts, corporate centers, the public interest corridor, Silicon Beach, and the entertainment industry.
Convenient Campus Living Southwestern’s on-campus student housing complex, The Residences at 7th, features fully furnished studios, one- and two-bedroom units, an on-site business center, private study rooms, a roof-top sun deck, a large landscaped central courtyard, a barbecue station, a two-story lobby-lounge, 24hour on-site security, and secure indoor parking. Visit www.swlaw.edu/studenthousing for complete details.
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Welcome to An Innovative & Flexible Curriculum There are two main ways you can personalize your J.D. curriculum. The first way is by participating in one of six concentrations. A concentration is similar to an undergraduate major. There are required courses, a minimum number of applicable units, and a notation on your transcript. The second way is less formal. You can focus on a practice area that interests you by combining courses, externships, and clinical experiences with co-curricular and extracurricular activities. Either way, you can explore different areas of law and career options, network with alumni and students, and develop a specialized skill set. With this law-in-action approach to the curriculum, you will have the tools to become a well-rounded, thoughtful law graduate, able to quickly bridge the gap between law school and practice.
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200+ COURSES & SEMINARS
enabling you to pursue either a generalized or more individualized curriculum
BIEDERMAN ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA LAW INSTITUTE
Offering the most comprehensive entertainment, media, and intellectual property curriculum in the U.S.
CONCENTRATIONS
Civil Litigation & Advocacy Criminal Law & Advocacy Entertainment & Media Law Labor and Employment Law Public Interest Law Technology Law & Entrepreneurship
FIRST-YEAR ELECTIVE
A chance to sample entertainment, criminal, or international law and move into upper-level courses
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Various clinics, 150+ externship settings, practica, and a myriad of public service opportunities provide real-world experience
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS
J.D./M.B.A. with The Drucker School of Management Certificate Program in Bioscience Industry Law and Practice with Keck Graduate Institute
SCHOLARLY JOURNALS
Southwestern Law Review Southwestern Journal of International Law Journal of International Media and Entertainment Law
THREE ADVOCACY TRACKS
A unique opportunity to develop your advocacy skills in one of three tracks during your first year: Appellate Negotiation Trial Practice
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Important Details CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE Admission to Southwestern is contingent upon satisfactory attainment of a baccalaureate degree. Accepted students should ensure that final official transcripts from their degree-granting institution, as well as any transcripts reflecting other undergraduate or graduate studies undertaken prior to matriculation at Southwestern, have been submitted to LSAC and transmitted to Southwestern via LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service. If an accepted student’s final official transcripts fail to show completion of courses and/or degrees required for admission, or indicate that the accepted student omitted, misrepresented, or concealed any fact, Southwestern reserves the right to revoke the student’s admission offer, dismiss the student after enrollment, or, after graduation, rescind any Southwestern degrees awarded to the student. Entering transfer students must submit up-to-date transcripts, a letter of good standing, and an Enrollment Verification Form from an ABA-approved law school. Southwestern’s Dean of Students Office will conduct a transcript credit analysis to determine which courses and credits are transferable to Southwestern. Note: Students admitted into one of Southwestern’s 3+3 programs do not need to demonstrate attainment of a baccalaureate degree but should contact the Admissions Office for further information.
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS Southwestern Law School must receive final and official transcripts for all degrees received and academic work undertaken prior to your enrollment at Southwestern. You should arrange for your transcripts to be sent directly to the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), which will forward them to our school via the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). For more information, including submission deadlines, visit your Welcome to Southwestern CANVAS Page.
#GoBison
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Becoming a Dean’s Fellow has been my most rewarding experience as a Southwestern student. I remember the overwhelming anxiety I felt as a 1L, but I managed to stay motivated by the abundance of support I received from the Southwestern community. As a Dean’s Fellow, I get to pay it forward and provide my peers with the foundational skills and motivation they need to tackle their first year.”
I’NIAH C.
‘23, Full-Time Day Program Recipient, G.I. Jobs Veteran Student Leadership Award
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A huge part of my success, and the reason I chose Southwestern, is due to the incredibly supportive environment of the Part-Time Evening Program. I appreciate Southwestern’s innovation and flexibility in allowing me to pursue a J.D. all while maintaining my full-time job. Southwestern has provided the mentorship and practical skills needed to become a better advocate for those who may not have the ability to do so themselves. Southwestern faculty and staff, peers, and my friends have made this challenging endeavor an invaluable experience.”
KEN V.
‘24, Part-Time Evening Program Junior Advocate, Trial Advocacy Honors Program
FINANCIAL AID Southwestern’s Financial Aid Office helps students navigate various funding sources such as federal loans, federal work-study, and institutional scholarships for students entering their second or subsequent years at Southwestern. Scholarships for entering first-year students are handled through the Admissions Office. Entering students eligible for federal student loans should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Visit www.fafsa.gov to complete the application, and be prepared to provide Southwestern’s Title IV FAFSA Code, G01295. Students should expect to receive an email within ten days of submitting their FAFSA, which contains instructions for viewing their financial aid offer through the MySWLAW Entering Student Portal. Note that Southwestern begins processing financial aid offers in mid-February. For more information, visit www.swlaw.edu/enteringfinaid.
MANDATORY ORIENTATION
After completing registration, entering students will be able to view their course schedules for the upcoming semester. Information regarding syllabi, booklists, and first assignments will be provided closer to the start of Orientation.
DEAN OF STUDENTS AND DIVERSITY AFFAIRS OFFICE The Dean of Students and Diversity Affairs Office, which also houses the Counseling Center in W102, is responsible for personal and academic counseling for all Southwestern students. The office provides academic advisement on a variety of matters, as well as support to students experiencing academic challenges. The Dean of Students and Diversity Affairs Office also works collaboratively with faculty, Academic Success, and various departments to address student needs; sponsors academic advising programs such as Table Day and other events to promote student well-being; and is actively involved in developing other programs and activities to enhance student life on campus.
A mandatory Orientation for first-year students begins prior to the start of doctrinal courses. At Orientation, students meet the first-year faculty members, attend academic success workshops and presentations, talk to Peer Mentors and Dean’s Fellows, obtain assistance with administrative matters, attend lunches and dinners with faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and meet the Student Bar Association and other student clubs and organizations. Orientation details will be sent to entering students closer to the start of their respective programs.
Additionally, the office develops initiatives to promote a campus environment that recognizes, celebrates, and values diversity, and coordinates programs and outreach efforts to support the recruitment, retention, personal development, and successful academic matriculation of students from varied racial, ethnic, cultural, and/or other diverse backgrounds. More information is available on the Portal at www.swlaw.edu/enteringdosda.
ENTERING STUDENT REGISTRATION
Southwestern is committed to ensuring that all enrolled students who have a disability enjoy a full law school experience according to federal and state law. A copy of Southwestern’s Disability Policy is available online or upon request through the Admissions Office. Incoming students are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students and Diversity Affairs Office as early as possible regarding disabilities that might require accommodations during law school. For details, visit: www.swlaw.edu/enteringaccserv.
All entering Southwestern students are required to complete an online registration process. Instructions on how to complete this process will be emailed to you about one month prior to the registration deadline (or on a rolling basis for those admitted later). Completing the online registration process is required in order to maintain your seat in the incoming class.
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
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Contact Information Admissions 213.738.6834 / admissions@swlaw.edu
Bookstore 213.738.6736 / bookstore@swlaw.edu
Legal Clinic 213.738.5710 / legalclinic@swlaw.edu
Financial Aid 213.738.6719 / finaid@swlaw.edu
Career Services 213.738.6794 / careerservices@swlaw.edu
Information Technology 213.738.6762 / ithelp@swlaw.edu
Registrar’s Office 213.738.6734 / registrar@swlaw.edu
Dean of Students and Diversity Affairs 213.738.6871 / deanofstudents@swlaw.edu
SCALE Program 213.738.6690 / scale@swlaw.edu
Academic Success and Bar Preparation 213.738.6813 / academicsuccess@swlaw.edu
Accessibility Services 213.738.6888 / accessibility@swlaw.edu
Student Affairs 213.738.6716 / studentaffairs@swlaw.edu
Administrative Services, Parking, Security 213.738.6800 / administrativeservices@swlaw.edu
Externship Program 213.738.6802 / externoffice@swlaw.edu
Student Bar Association 213.738.6743 / sba@swlaw.edu
Biederman Entertainment a nd Media Law Institute 213.738.6602 / institute@swlaw.edu
Institutional Advancement/Alumni Relations 213.738.6814 / advancement@swlaw.edu
For a complete list of contacts by department, visit www.swlaw.edu/contact.
Navigating Southwestern Department To Contact
For Questions About
Department To Contact
For Questions About
Academic Success and Bar Preparation academicsuccess@swlaw.edu 213.738.6813
Academic Skills Resources Bar Exam Resources Dean’s Fellows
Financial Aid finaid@swlaw.edu 213.738.6719
Accounting accounting@swlaw.edu 213.738.6818
Tuition Payments
Continuing Student Scholarships Federal Work Study (FWS) Administration Financial Aid Counseling Loans
Administrative Services administrativeservices@swlaw.edu 213.738.6800
Building Maintenance Commencement Emergency Procedures Fitness Center Parking Security Student ID Cards
Information Technology (IT) ithelp@swlaw.edu 213.738.6762
Audio/Visual Services Computers and Computer Support CANVAS and MySWLAW Access
Institutional Advancement advancement@swlaw.edu 213.738.6814
Alumni Affairs Fundraising Special Events
International Programs studyabroad@swlaw.edu 213.738.5707
Summer Abroad Programs Student Exchange Programs
Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills Program (LAWS) tturner@swlaw.edu 213.738.5736
LAWS Curriculum LAWS Advocacy Tracks
Leigh H. Taylor Law Library library@swlaw.edu 213.738.5771
Copy Machines Group Study Rooms Legal Research Assistance
On-campus Housing housing@swlaw.edu 213.738.5500
The Residences at 7th On-campus Housing Leases
Registrar’s Office registrar@swlaw.edu 213.738.6734
Bar Certification Class Registration Exams International Student Visas and Assistance Grades Student Records
SCALE scale@swlaw.edu 213.738.6690
SCALE Curriculum SCALE Deadlines and Events
Student Affairs studentaffairs@swlaw.edu 213.738.6716
Health Insurance Honors Programs Orientation Peer Mentor Program Student Bar Association Student Organizations Wellness Programs
Writing Center writingcenter@swlaw.edu 213.738.5729
Writing Support Resources
Biederman Entertainment and Media Law Institute institute@swlaw.edu 213.738.6602
Entertainment and The Arts Legal Clinic Entertainment Law Curriculum Journal of International Media and Entertainment Law International Entertainment Summer Law Program in London
Bookstore bookstore@swlaw.edu 213.738.6736
Academic Supplies Books
Career Services careerservices@swlaw.edu 213.738.6794
Career Counseling & Planning Job Listings Recruitment Programs
Clinics legalclinic@swlaw.edu 213.738.5710
Appellate Litigation Clinic Children’s Rights Clinic Community Lawyering Clinic Family Law Clinic Immigration Law Clinic Public Service Program Removal Defense Clinic Street Law Clinic Youth Offender Parole Clinic
Communications and Marketing co-mark@swlaw.edu 213.738.6731
Media Relations Print/Digital Publications Social Media Website/Blog
Dean of Students and Diversity Affairs deanofstudents@swlaw.edu 213.738.6871
Academic Advising Accessibility Services and Accommodations Interdisciplinary Programs (J.D./M.B.A., certificate program) Personal Counseling Special Registration Requests
Externship externoffice@swlaw.edu 213.738.6802
Externship Placements
Southwestern Law School prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race (including hair style and hair texture), color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age (40 and over), disability (mental and physical), medical condition, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by law (referred to as “protected classes”) in matters of admissions, employment, housing, or services, or in the educational programs or activities Southwestern operates. Such conduct violates Southwestern’s values and disrupts the living, learning, and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and other community members. Please direct all inquiries regarding Southwestern’s Policy to Prevent Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation to: Associate Dean, Dean of Students and Diversity Affairs, Nydia Dueñez, 3050 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90010 / (213) 738-6872 / nduenez@swlaw.edu
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SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL
3050 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES, CA 90010
(213) 738-6834
admissions@swlaw.edu
www.swlaw.edu
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