San Joaquin College of Law

San Joaquin College of Law (SJCL) was founded in 1969 by a visionary group of San Joaquin Valley judges and attorneys who believed that capable individuals were being denied a quality legal education because no accredited law school existed in the area. Their goal was to provide the opportunity for San Joaquin Valley residents to become effective legal practitioners. The founders firmly believed that a sound legal education should combine theoretical and substantive knowledge with practical skills. With the beginning of instruction in fall 1970, the School adopted the uncompromising standards essential to the achievement of this goal. Although faced with modest facilities and resources during the College’s early years, the college's success is evident. SJCL is the center of legal study for both law students and practitioners in the San Joaquin Valley with no comparable institution for 120 miles in any direction. Over 80% of its graduates for the classes 2008 through 2011 have passed the California bar examination, with the class of 2010 currently leading the way with 86% having passed the bar exam. Approximately a quarter of the practicing lawyers in the Fresno area are SJCL graduates. Of the women lawyers in the area, approximately half are SJCL graduates. Roughly one-third of the minority lawyers are graduates. SJCL students have competed successfully in Moot Court competitions throughout the nation. In February 1992, SJCL swept every category in the Florida National Tax Law Moot Court competition, vying against major ABA-accredited institutions. In February 1995, SJCL students won First and Second Best Oralist awards at the National Sports Law Moot Court competition in New Orleans. In 2012, SJCL came in third place in the UC Davis Asylum & Refugee Law National Moot Court Competition. SJCL has had a number of victories at the Roger J Traynor Moot Court Competition over the years, including winning the Bernard E. Witkin Award in 2002 and Best Brief in...