UC Berkeley School of Law

The University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Berkeley Law) is the law school of the University of California, Berkeley. For many years, people called it "Boalt Hall," after the first building where classes were held. That building was named for John Henry Boalt. In 2020, the name "Boalt Hall" was no longer used.

Berkeley Law is known for helping many of its students find good jobs after they graduate. In 2019, 98 percent of graduates had full-time jobs just nine months after finishing their studies. The school offers several types of law degrees, including J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and Ph.D..

Many important people have graduated from Berkeley Law. These include leaders in government, business, and the courts. Famous alumni are Chief Justice of the United States Earl Warren, U.S. secretary of state Dean Rusk, and Mayor of San Francisco Ed Lee, among others.

History

Department of Jurisprudence

The school now known as Berkeley Law started in 1894 as the Department of Jurisprudence at the University of California. On August 17, 1894, the university’s leaders approved a plan to create a new department focused on Constitutional Law of the United States, International Law, Roman Law, and Jurisprudence.

At first, Professor William Carey Jones taught all the courses himself. He wanted the department to be more academic and less focused on training lawyers compared to another school in San Francisco. At that time, it was mostly for university students to learn more about law, while those wanting to practice law were sent to the San Francisco school.

Over the next few years, more teachers were hired, allowing the department to grow. By 1902, it offered a full three-year law program, and the first law degrees were awarded in 1903. In 1911, classes moved into a new building called Boalt Memorial Hall of Law, named after John Henry Boalt.

School of Jurisprudence

As the department grew, students and teachers pushed to turn it into a full law school. By 1912, it joined a group of top law schools across the country. William Carey Jones became the first dean of the new School of Jurisprudence.

After World War II, many people wanted to become lawyers, and the school grew quickly. The old building became too small, so plans began for a new one.

School of Law

In 1950, the School of Jurisprudence became the School of Law. This change helped the school become one of the best in the United States by the 1990s.

A new building

In 1951, the law school moved into a new building, which was later named Boalt Hall. The old building was renamed Durant Hall.

Berkeley Law

In 2008, the school changed its name to Berkeley Law to make it clearer that this was the law school of UC Berkeley. Many people had confused the name “Boalt Hall” as a separate institution.

By 2009, the school needed more space. A big project to renovate and expand the school was finished in 2012. This included building a new underground library and a glass pavilion with classrooms and a cafe.

In 2020, the name “Boalt Hall” was removed from the law school building after it was discovered that John Henry Boalt had written racist statements. The building is now simply called the Law Building.

In 2023, the school created a policy about using artificial intelligence like ChatGPT. Students could use it for research or checking grammar but not for exams or writing assignments, unless a teacher allowed it.

Academics

Admissions and costs

Berkeley Law's J.D. program is very selective, accepting only 22% of applicants in 2020. Students in the program are usually around 25 years old, ranging from 21 to 46. The school has more women than men in its classes.

Tuition at Berkeley Law has gone up over time. For the 2018–2019 school year, it cost $85,315 for students from California and $89,266 for students from other states. The school offers help with loan payments for students who plan to work in public interest jobs that pay less than $70,000 a year. There are also scholarships based on both talent and financial need.

Grading

Berkeley Law uses a different grading system than many other law schools. Instead of letter grades, students receive grades of High Honors, Honors, or Pass. About 60% of students get a Pass, 30% get Honors, and the top 10% get High Honors. The best student each term gets a special award.

Programs

Berkeley Law has around 850 students studying to be lawyers, along with smaller groups in other law programs. The school offers many areas of study, including business, environmental law, international law, and law and technology.

Students can also join special programs that combine law with other subjects, such as business or public policy. The school has many centers that focus on specific areas of law, such as social justice, environmental issues, and international human rights.

Clinics

Berkeley Law has many clinics where students can practice real law under the supervision of teachers. These clinics cover topics like business law, constitutional law, social justice, environmental law, international law, and technology law. Students can also start their own projects to help people with legal problems.

Business and Economics

The Berkeley Center for Law and Business helps students learn about corporate law, including topics like mergers, financial fraud, and cybersecurity. The center also runs a program that combines law and business degrees.

Constitutional, Regulatory, and Policy

Berkeley Law has centers that study constitutional law, consumer protection, and California state law. Students can work with judges and government offices on these topics.

Social Justice and Public Interest

The school offers clinics where students can help with issues like criminal justice reform, veterans' rights, and housing law. These programs often work with community groups to support people in need.

Environmental

The school's environmental law programs focus on solving problems related to climate change, energy use, and protecting oceans.

International and Comparative

Berkeley Law has programs that study international human rights, compare different legal systems, and address global issues. Students can participate in competitions and research projects in these areas.

Technology

The Berkeley Center for Law and Technology studies topics like privacy, patents, and intellectual property. Students can learn about how law affects technology and digital issues.

Publications

California Law Review

The California Law Review is Berkeley Law's main journal, started in 1912. Students apply to join through a writing test, and the journal does not look at grades when choosing members.

Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law

The Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law started in 2000 and covers topics about crime and criminal justice, especially in California and the Western United States. It publishes two issues each year, one in January and one in June.

Berkeley Journal of Employment & Labor Law

The Berkeley Journal of Employment & Labor Law began in 1975 and writes about laws related to jobs and workers. It talks about topics like discrimination, worker benefits, and workplace rights. The journal comes out twice a year and includes articles, reviews, and student writings.

Berkeley Journal of International Law

The Berkeley Journal of International Law started in 1982 and covers laws between countries and comparisons of different countries' laws. It also reviews new books on these topics and publishes twice a year.

Berkeley Technology Law Journal

The Berkeley Technology Law Journal began in 1986 and covers laws about technology, such as patents, privacy, and internet laws. It publishes four times a year.

Ecology Law Quarterly

The Ecology Law Quarterly started in 1971 and focuses on laws about the environment and energy. It includes short articles about court cases and policies.

Berkeley Business Law Journal

The Berkeley Business Law Journal started in 2004 and is one of the largest journals at the school. It publishes a yearly print journal and a blog called The Network, and connects students with professors and professionals in business law.

Other journals

Other journals at Berkeley Law include the Asian American Law Journal, Berkeley Journal of African-American Law & Policy, Berkeley Journal of Entertainment & Sports Law, Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice, Berkeley Journal of Middle Eastern & Islamic Law, and Berkeley La Raza Law Journal.

Reception

Employment

In 2018, 90.9 percent of students who took the bar exam passed on their first try. More than 90 percent of graduates from that year found jobs that needed a law license within nine months after finishing school.

Rankings

See also: Law school rankings in the United States

In 2025, USNWR listed Berkeley Law as the 13th best law school in the United States. It also shared the 2nd place for Environmental Law, the 4th place for Clinical Training, and 22nd for having the most graduates become court clerks.

In 2020, the QS World Rankings placed Berkeley Law as the seventh-best law school globally.

Berkeley Law's main journal, the California Law Review, is highly ranked in the United States. Studies by researchers at Washington & Lee University and the University of Oregon show it as third and fifth best, respectively.

According to a 2012 study by Brian Leiter, Berkeley Law is seventh in scholarly impact, based on the percentage of tenured faculty in specialty areas.

People

Alumni

Main article: List of UC Berkeley School of Law alumni

Berkeley Law has many successful graduates in many areas, such as government, business, and the courts. Some well-known graduates include:

• Earl Warren, who became the 14th chief justice of the United States and the 30th governor of California.
• G. William Miller, who served as the 65th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and chair of the Federal Reserve.
• Pete Wilson, the 36th governor of California and a United States Senator.

The school has produced leaders in many fields, including judges, business leaders, and professors around the world.

Notable faculty

Berkeley Law has many respected teachers, including:

• Erwin Chemerinsky, a well-known expert on the U.S. Constitution and current Dean of Berkeley Law.
• Pamela Samuelson, an expert in intellectual property law.
• Sarah Song, a professor of law and political science.