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LegacyThis is our legacy:With more than 100 years ofrenowned legal education, USC Lawis an institution that continues tomake history, through its philosophyof innovation, and through itspeople. By the students, for thestudents, that’s the foundingpremise and guiding principlebehind USC Law.At the end of the 19th century, when there wasno formal law school in Southern California,aspiring lawyers prepared by “reading law” atlocal firms. Then, in 1896, a band of ambitiousapprentices brought organized legal educationto Los Angeles. Their goal: Create “a schoolof permanent character,” and educate lawyers ofexceptional quality. Today’s USC Law reflectsa distinguished past built on the principles ofequity and excellence, and the courage to breaknew ground.Diversity PioneersFrom its informal beginnings, the fledglinginstitution made diversity its earliest hallmarkand embraced this innovation every step of theway. USC Law’s early yearbooks showcasethe school’s deep commitment to diversifyingthe profession. The faces of students reflect thecommunities that USC alumni have gone onto lead.Alumni on the BenchIn the school’s first 1oo years, more than 45ograduates have held state and federal judgeships,making USC Law a key contributor toleadership in the legal profession. In 19o6,Frederick W. Houser ’oo, became the firstalumnus to serve on the bench when he waselected to the Los Angeles Superior Court.Georgia Bullock ’14 became the first womanappointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court.In recent years, USC Law graduates formed themajority on the California Supreme Court—unprecedented among law schools.Women in the LawThe five women on the committee that foundedUSC Law began a tradition of women inleadership perpetuated throughout the school’shistory. In 1911, USC formed the nation’s firstfemale law-student sorority, Phi Delta Delta.By 193o, USC was a national leader in preparingwomen for careers in law, and, in 1968, becamethe first leading law school with a female dean.Today, women constitute approximately half ofeach class, making way for a new generationof trailblazers.Law Without BoundariesRecognizing the complexity of law practice in anincreasingly interconnected world, USC Lawprofessors began to integrate the social sciences,such as anthropology and economics, intotheir law classes as early as the 196os. Today,USC Law continues to transcend traditionalboundaries through the many professors whohold advanced degrees in economics, history,political science, and psychology, in additionto law credentials.Public InterestBelieving that practical experience is essential,in 1928, USC became one of the country’s firstlaw schools to establish a public-interest clinic.In time, the clinic evolved into the Legal AidFoundation of Los Angeles, one of the state’slargest providers of free legal services and a placewhere USC students continue to contribute.Today, USC’s programs put students to work indiverse communities through six clinics: postconvictionmatters, small business, intellectualproperty, immigration, international humanrights, and mediation.Like Los Angeles itself, USCLaw has become a nationalplayer. In academic circles,it enjoys a reputation forintellectual vitality. Nearlyhalf the faculty hold doctoralor master’s degrees inaddition to their JDs.Uniquely multidisciplinaryin character, the school hasstrong programs in lawand economics, law andhumanities and clinicallegal education.Also driving the school’sreputation are its graduates.Today as in years past, theaccomplishments of USC Lawalumni in private practice,public service, government,teaching, the judiciary andbusiness add luster toUSC’s name.Philanthropy—much of itfrom alumni—has liftedthe school to new heights.Our endowment ranks amongthe nation’s 10 largest privatelaw school endowments.Another key indicator ofacademic competitivenessis the number of chairs andprofessorships, which nowtotal 37.38 law.usc.eduUSC Gould School of Law39