MAKE JUSTICE YOUR CALLING.
Viewbook 2019–2020
Contents
Living Your Mission
2
TLS by the Numbers Your Schedule
4
6
Moot Courtroom
8
Clinics at Trinity
10
Center for Human Rights
12
Faculty with a Rap Sheet
14
Helping You Pass the Bar
16
Admissions
18
Tuition and Aid
20
We Are Accredited Contact Us
24
22
WE WANT YOU TO ANSWER YOUR CALLING FOR SOMETHING GREATER. WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU PASS THE BAR. We are a Christian law school dedicated to academic excellence. Our programs are designed to help you to pass the bar so you can get out in the world and practice law. 2019-20 Viewbook | 1
LIVING YOUR MISSION Trinity Law School is a California Bar-accredited law school located in Orange County, CA, providing an exceptional legal education in the historic, JudeoChristian tradition. We believe that a legal career is more than a profession. It is a calling to put your education and faith into action for the sake of your clients, society, and the world.
Voted One of the Best Law Schools for the Devout Since 2015
Our Community We seek to be a learning community that operates by the ethics and values of the Kingdom of God. The makeup of the community should be a reflection of the breadth and diversity of the family of God. The way we treat people should be consistent with our Lord’s morals, justice, compassion, humility, and love.
“This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’” —Zechariah 7:9
2 | Trinity Law School
A LEGAL CAREER IS MORE THAN A PROFESSION; IT IS A CALLING. 2019-20 Viewbook | 3
TLS BY THE NUMBERS $1.3 MILLION Donated to Renovation in 2018
Trinity Law School Publications Journal of Christian Legal Thought The Journal of Christian Legal Thought is a publication of the Institute for Christian Legal Studies, a cooperative ministry of the Christian Legal Society and Trinity Law School.
Trinity Law Review Since 1980, Trinity Law Review offers a distinct opportunity for students to become directly involved with and influence legal scholarship. By contributing to the journal and critiquing the work of professors and legal scholars, Trinity Law Review members assume an important role in guiding legal discourse. Members also gain valuable experience in editing, critical analysis, and substantive writing skills.
Trinity students working in the main lobby 4 | Trinity Law School
With new renovations, smaller class sizes, and a more diverse community than ever, we know that you will find yourself at home here.
A place where you belong. A place you call home.
J.D. Stats from 2018–2019
413
Applicants
10+ Student Groups
220
Accepted
12:1 Student/Faculty Ratio
4–5 More Classes for Dual Degree See Your Schedule for more information on how to get your Masters of Legal Studies with just a few more classes!
Female
Male
62%
38%
Our Community Hispanic/Latino 28.57%
Asian 10.95% 2+ Races 7.62% Unspecified 6.81% American Indian 0.48%
Ethnicity
Pacific Islander 0.48%
African American 22.38%
White 22.71%
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YOUR SCHEDULE Full-Time J.D.
01
02
03
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Legal Research & Writing I & II Contracts I & II Torts I & II Criminal Law Criminal Procedure Legal Institutions & Values
Civil Procedure I & II Property I & II Constitutional Law I & II Evidence I & II Electives
Legal Research & Writing III Business Organizations Community Property Professional Responsibility & Ethics Advanced Exam Approaches & Skills I & II Jurisprudence Wills, Trusts, & Estates Remedies Electives
Part-Time J.D.
01
02
03
04
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
Legal Research & Writing I & II Contracts I & II Torts I & II Criminal Law
Legal Institutions & Values Criminal Procedure Civil Procedure I & II Property I & II
Constitutional Law I & II Evidence I & II Business Organizations Community Property Professional Responsibility & Ethics Jurisprudence Electives
Legal Research & Writing III Advanced Exam Approaches & Skills I & II Wills, Trusts, & Estates Remedies Electives
Trial Practice Law & Public Policy Employment Discrimination International Criminal Law International Human Rights Human Trafficking Economic Development Intensive Voir Dire Negotiations E-Discovery
Religion & the Law Lawyer as Counselor Right to Life & the Law Workers’ Compensation Contract Drafting Media & Entertainment Law Immigrants, Refugees, & Displaced Persons Environmental Law Practice Management
Specialty Courses: Alternative Dispute Resolution Uniform Commercial Code Intellectual Property Civil Litigation Skills Family Law Immigration Law Juvenile Law Nonprofit Law Employment Law Bankruptcy Law
6 | Trinity Law School
Our courses are meant to be both rigorous and flexible; designed to meet your needs and fit your schedule.
Daytime
Evening
Here’s how you’re going to get it done.
Online
We Know You’re Busy In addition to daytime courses, we offer evening classes and some online options. We want you to have the flexibility you need to keep your day job, spend time with your family, and pursue academic excellence.
MLS Master of Legal Studies
Get Your
Dual Degree Only 4–5 Extra Classes You can obtain your MLS degree from Trinity with only four to five extra courses AND you can take them while you wait to receive your Cal Bar results. Bioethics Human Rights Alternative Dispute Resolution Church & Ministry Management Contracts & Negotiation Human Resources Management Nonprofit Organizations Criminal Justice
Adeline A. Allen Associate Professor
2019-20 Viewbook | 7
MOOT COURTROOM At Trinity Law School
Trinity Law School students not only compete, but win at a national level. In 2014, our moot court team won the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition. This national competition focuses primarily on public and civil rights law. Competitors include Columbia School of Law, USC Gould School of Law, Stanford School of Law, and more.
Accolades from the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition
TLS Student Wins Best Oralist Chantelle Stewart, Trinity Law School student was awarded Best Oralist at the 2019 Roger J. Traynor California Appellate Moot Court Competition.
Chantelle Stewart (right)
8 | Trinity Law School
We recognize that the courtroom is intimidating. With amazing leadership and a national, award-winning moot court team behind you, there’s nothing you can’t conquer.
Conquer your fear of the courtroom.
Trinity Moot Court Room 2019-20 Viewbook
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CLINICS AT TRINITY
10 Years of service with the Orange County Rescue Mission.
1300 Cases handled for Orange County’s homeless population. 10 | Trinity Law School
You have the opportunity to participate in four clinics: Law Clinic (at Orange County Rescue Mission), Trinity Mobile Clinic (serving the homeless), Religious Liberty Clinic, and Mediation Clinic.
Experiences that get you out in the field.
Religious Liberty Clinic with
Pacific Justice Institute Our mission is to defend—without charge— the religious freedoms, parental rights, and other civil liberties of people who cannot defend themselves.
Professor Fired for His Faith
Corona Street Case
Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) secured a legal victory for Eric Thompson, a sociology professor at Moreno Valley College, who was fired for his discussions of “dangerous” conservative worldviews in his college classroom. PJI represented the professor in depositions, administrative hearings, and a multi-day arbitration conducted like a trial. The arbitrator, who found many of the claims against the tenured professor were unfounded, ruled in Thompson’s favor.
One of the most common categories of cases PJI handles involves street preachers who are being harassed by local governments, sometimes even being arrested, notwithstanding First Amendment speech rights. In this case, PJI is representing a man who was given a ticket for open-air preaching.
Michael Peffer Senior Counsel for Pacific Justice Institute & Trinity Law School professor
Trinity Law Clinic at
Orange County Rescue Mission The Clinic’s mission at Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM) is to serve the legal needs of the residents at the Village of Hope and the homeless population of the greater Orange County area.
“Trinity Law School is a wonderful example of an educational institution that is not just handing out degrees, but calling their students to provide a helping hand to the least, the last, and the lost of Jim Palmer President of Orange County Rescue Mission
our community.”
Serving the Homeless The Clinic’s mission at OCRM is to serve the legal needs of the residents at the Village of Hope. In addition, the Clinic serves the legal needs of the homeless population of the greater Orange County area through its mobile legal clinic. The Trinity Mobile Legal Clinic (see left) has a unique feature in that it is able to go directly to the marginalized of Orange County. On nearly every Thursday, this Clinic frequents a parking lot facility in the Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana, CA where it administers legal aid/advice to those in need.
—Jim Palmer
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HUMAN RIGHTS The Center for Human Rights defends the Christian basis for human rights first and makes justice the prevailing condition in our world through research, educational facilities, classroom instruction, career development, and opportunities for participation in lectures, conferences, and seminars.
Summer Program | The Hague
Winter Program | Cambodia
Featured Courses:
Offered each July in The Hague, Netherlands and Strasbourg, France, the Summer Human Rights Institute is an advanced course in international and comparative human rights law taught by leading academics and practitioners from around the world. Students learn about international and regional human rights systems, and examine the most important human rights issues from a Christian perspective. Students also visit human rights courts and other sites that contribute to the modern view of human rights law.
The Winter Human Rights Program is offered in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Through this course, students learn about the fight against human trafficking through economic development during a time of government evolution. Additionally, students learn about the Cambodian genocide through visits to the S-21 Prison, the Killing Fields, and the Cambodian Tribunal where they watch the prosecution of Khmer Rouge perpetrators. Students also have the opportunity to return in the summer to intern with an NGO.
Genocide Death Penalty Economic, Social, & Cultural Rights Employment Discrimination Criminal Adjudicative Process Human Trafficking Immigration Law Law, Faith, & Politics International Criminal Law The Right to Life & the Law Jurisprudence of Human Rights Religion & the Law
Center for Human Rights The Center for Human Rights seeks to protect and advocate for the most vulnerable in our society and the world. These courses have been designed for you to join in this call, and gain practical knowledge in the field of law that will shape both your legal career and faith journey. For more information contact: Andrew DeLoach: ardeloach@tiu.edu.
Scan for More Details on the Conference
12 | Trinity Law School
The Center for Human Rights provides a unique opportunity for Trinity Law students seeking real exposure in international law.
Defend the basis for human rights everywhere.
Children from Cambodia winter of 2014
FACULTY WITH A RAP SHEET
William Overtoom J.D., Western State College of Law Senior Deputy District Attorney for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Member of the United States Supreme Court Bar.
33
Years of Service to the OC’s District Attorney’s Office
150
Jury Trials Served as a Prosecuting Attorney
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legal career.
We don’t hold your hand, but we have your back.
65+
35+
100%
Adjunct Professors
Fields of Specialization
Of First Year Law Courses Taught
Represented by Faculty
by Full-Time Faculty Members
Ken McDonald J.D., Western State College of Law 40 years as a Los Angeles County public defender
Adeline A. Allen J.D., Regent University School of Law 2017-18 visiting fellow, James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, Princeton University
Kevin Holsclaw J.D., Pepperdine Law School Former acting assistant attorney general in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the United States Department of Justice
Myron Steeves J.D., Georgetown University American Bar Association: Subcommittee chair Religious Organizations Subcommittee of Nonprofit Organizations Committee of Business Law Section
Venus Griffith Trunnel J.D., Southwestern Law School Member of the Intellectual Property Section of the California State Bar and an active participant in the International Trademark Association (INTA)
Scan to See Our Full List of Faculty
Our dedicated faculty members will provide the guidance you need to push you toward a successful
2019-20 Viewbook | 15
HELPING YOU PASS THE BAR OnCourse TM is our exclusive program designed to help you pass the California Bar Exam. You will not find a law school with a better academic support system than Trinity Law School. Our dedicated faculty, programs, and academic resources are designed and made available to help you pass the bar.
16+
Workshops Offered
Workshops available to you: Case Briefing Workshop Exam Writing Workshop
Giving You the Tools You Need to Succeed Mock Bar Exams and Diagnostics
MBE Workshop Outlining Workshop Preparing for Finals Workshop
OnCourse Exclusive Courses:
MBE, Essay, and
OnCourse Summer Diagnostics- Civil Procedure
PT Workshops
OnCourse Summer Diagnostics- Constitutional Law OnCourse Summer Diagnostics- Contracts OnCourse Summer Diagnostics- Criminal Law/Procedure OnCourse Summer Diagnostics- Evidence OnCourse Summer Diagnostics- Property
Early Bar Prep
OnCourse Summer Diagnostics- Torts OnCourse MBE Workshop OnCourse Mock Bar Exam OnCourse Performance Test OnCourse Skills Diagnostics
Set One-On-One
OnCourse Essay Writing Workshop
Advising Appointments
16 | Trinity Law School
We’ve developed rigorous academic support programs such as OnCourseTM to help alleviate your fear, and prepare you to pass the bar.
Trinity students hard at work in the main lobby
Giving you the tools you need to pass the bar.
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GETTING IN. ADMISSIONS What are the Requirements?
JD Checklist
All applicants must satisfy the California State Bar’s pre-legal education requirements prior to starting law school. In addition, the Trinity Law School Admissions Committee seeks candidates who demonstrate an ability to succeed in law school and on the bar exam. Several factors are considered as evidence for success. These include undergraduate GPA, LSAT score, ability to communicate with precision, career accomplishments, and letters of recommendation to attest to these criteria. The committee reviews candidates on a rolling basis.
1. Online application
Easy Online Application
Call for an Application Fee Waiver
We Order Your Transcripts at No Charge
2. LSAT score 3. Transcripts from schools attended 4. Two letters of recommendation 5. Personal statement 6. Additional addenda (if requested by Admissions)
Don’t Meet the Requirements? Ask about our Flex Track Program We’re committed to making a legal education accessible. To further that mission, we offer a special program that allows students who do not meet the standards for our regular program to attend law school through Flex Track. Flex Track students follow a set part-time schedule of classes in the evening for their first two semesters, and must pass the First-Year Law Students’ Exam (FYLSX or “baby bar”) prior to continuing in law school as a regular student. Flex Track classes are designed to give you a solid foundation in law school while preparing you for the FYLSX.
Baby bar is not required for traditional track students. For more information call us at 800-922-4748.
FAQs for TLS Applicants Are there deadlines to apply? With rolling admissions, we process applications as they come in. Apply today! What if I don’t have an LSAT? Trinity will help you with a free LSAT prep course, or you can be considered for the Flex Track program. See tls.edu/flex-track. Can I transfer in? If you wish to transfer to Trinity after attending another law school, you must satisfy the admission requirements for new students and provide an official transcript and letter of standing from your current law school. Students who are in good standing, on probation, or have been academically dismissed are considered on a caseby-case basis.
18 | Trinity Law School
What if I don’t have a bachelor’s degree? As part of satisfying the California State Bar’s pre-legal education requirements, you must meet one of the following: 1. Hold an AA/AS or higher degree 2. Complete 60 transferable college units 3. Take a specific series of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams What if I don’t have my transcripts or a CAS report? Can I still apply? Our admissions advisors will order CAS reports and all previous transcripts for you. You don’t even have to lift a finger! What about letters of recommendation? All letters of recommendation are electronic and executed by a helpful Trinity Law School staff member.
For any other questions or to get started on your journey, contact the admissions office at 800-922-4748.
Scan to Start Your Application
When you’re ready, take a minute (or twenty) to visit tlsportal.tiu.edu/ OnlineApplication to apply. Or contact admissions at 800-922-4748.
Apply today! Application only takes 20 minutes.
Lena Collins Admissions Advisor
2019-20 Viewbook | 19
TUITION AND AID
Annual Scholarships Range Between
$2K–$50K Doug Eaton Executive Director of Admissions
20 | Trinity Law School
Students with an LSAT score higher than 75th percentile are considered for a full tuition scholarship PLUS a $5,000– $20,000 living stipend. In other words, get paid to go to law school. See more below.
Why not just get paid to go to law school? Loans (Apply today!)
JD Tuition & Fees $995 per unit
$20.5k
$29,850 per year Calculated at 30 units/year Full-Time Tuition + Fees
$35k
$23,880 per year Calculated at 24 units/year Part-Time Tuition + Fees
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Offered at 6.6%
DirectPLUS Loan for Graduates Offered at 7.6%. Can cover additional living expenses. Apply at studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fasfa School Code: E00961
Scholarships If you meet the admission requirements to the regular J.D. program, you are automatically considered for merit-based and non-merit-based scholarships. Most scholarships are renewable as long as specific academic requirements are maintained each semester.
Contact our Financial Aid office at 800-922-4748 for more information.
Merit-Based Scholarships 25% 100%+
Dean’s Full Tuition + Stipend 100% Tuition Cost + $500–$1500/yr. Monthly Stipend LSAT in the 60 th Percentile or Higher (155-180)
100%
Dean’s Full Tuition 100% Tuition Cost ($23,850) LSAT in the 50 th Percentile or Higher (152-154)
16%
75%
Dean’s 50–75% of Tuition Cost ($12,000– $18,000) LSAT in the 40 th Percentile or Higher (149-151)
Justice Scholarship of $5,000–$7,500 LSAT in the 33 rd Percentile or Higher (147-148)
Legal Studies Scholarship of $2,000 - $5,000 LSAT in the 26th Percentile or Higher (145-146)
Public Service $500 Annual Grant
*Ask about our Mephibosheth Scholarship for those with disablities.
Non-Merit-Based Scholarships Christian College 50% Tuition Costs
Yellow Ribbon Up to $4,000/sem.
Church Match Up to $2,000/yr.
EV Free Church 50% Tuition Costs
Community College $2,500 Annual Grant
Founder’s $1500/yr.
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WE ARE ACCREDITED Accreditation Trinity Law School is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California. Trinity Law School is a school of Trinity International University, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Trinity Law School’s degree-granting authority is in connection with its students qualifying to take the California Bar Examination, and obtaining admission to the practice of law in California is based on accreditation by the Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California.
Except as provided in rule 4.30 of the Admissions Rules (legal education in a foreign state or country), completion of a professional law degree program at this law school other than for the Juris Doctor degree does not qualify a student to take the California Bar Examination or satisfy the requirements for admission to practice law in California. It may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or to satisfy requirements for admission to the practice of law in any other jurisdiction. A student intending to seek admission to practice law
should contact the admitting authority in the jurisdictions where the student intends to qualify to sit for the bar examination or to be admitted to practice for information regarding their legal education requirements.
Out-of-State Students If you are coming to Trinity Law School from another state, you should secure suitable housing and transportation to ensure that these issues do not become an impediment to academic success. Trinity does not provide on-campus housing. However, there are several apartment complexes located near campus offering a range of rental rates, leasing, and amenities.
Students with Disabilities Students with disabilities requiring special arrangements will be accommodated upon petition, with supporting documentation of the disability and upon approval of the registrar. Special accommodations will be carefully tailored to meet your documented need(s) in accordance with the Trinity Law School disability policy.
Accommodations Academic Catalog Academic policies and standards, in addition to those in this viewbook, are contained in the catalog, which is issued to each student at the beginning of every academic year. In case of any conflict, the standards contained in the catalog are controlling. Students are responsible for knowing and complying with the policies and standards for the law school as well as the California State Bar’s rules regulating admission to practice law in California. The academic catalog can be found at tls.edu/catalog.
Admission Practicing Law Outside California Applicants intending to practice law in states other than California are encouraged to investigate the educational requirements, as well as the rules and regulations, governing admission to practice in those jurisdictions. Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or be admitted to practice law in jurisdictions other than California. A student who intends to seek admission to practice law outside of California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding its education and admission requirements.
22 | Trinity Law School
Practicing Law Inside California Accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California, the law program fulfills the requirements pertaining to admission to the practice of law in the state of California. Graduates are qualified to take the California Bar Examination.
For additional information, visit www.tls.edu
“Any law school could have prepared me to be a lawyer, but only Trinity could have prepared me to be an advocate with a moral center and a heart.” —Rocky Tindage, J.D.
“...an advocate with a moral center and heart.”
Rocky Tindage Trinity Law School Student
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CONTACT US N 57
55
22 22 E Fairhaven Ave
E Santa Clara Ave
n d Av e N Gra
Lincoln Ave
5
E Santa Clara Ave
TRINITY E 17th St
55
5
Phone:
800.922.4748
Admissions:
714.796.7100
Financial Aid:
714.796.7120
Trinity Law School 2200 North Grand Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92705 visit TLS.edu
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BEGIN YOUR CALLING FOR SOMETHING GREATER. APPLY TO TRINITY LAW SCHOOL TODAY. Scan to apply or visit: tlsportal.tiu.edu/OnlineApplication
Viewbook 2019–2020