General Catalog - John F. Kennedy University

John F. Kennedy University School of Law offers both four-year day andevening programs and a three-year, part-time program leading to the Juris Doctor.The law program is flexibly designed both for people who want to study law whilemaintaining family, work, or other outside responsibilities and those able to devote themselvesto full-time study. The School of Law is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examinersof the State Bar of California.The School of Law is committed to providing the highest quality legal education in anenvironment that encourages mutual support rather than competition. Students receive athorough grounding in both the theoretical and practical skills necessary to become effectiveattorneys. The curriculum emphasizes analytical and advocacy skills, combined withmultiple clinical opportunities. This multi-modal approach includes a focus on law in itswider political, social, and economic contexts. The school believes that law can be a tool forsocial change and encourages its students to examine and share their experiences to reach amore comprehensive understanding of social justice.JFKU School of Law not only prepares individuals to successfully practice law, but also tobecome leaders in their communities. To achieve this, the School of Law offers:• World-class faculty. A faculty of full-time professors and working professionalswith outstanding records as lawyers and judges, nationally and internationally,who bring the most up-to-date professional perspectives to the classroom.• Exceptional support. Day and evening classes are available to help students balancelaw school with other professional and personal responsibilities and a faculty mentoris assigned to each student to assist with everything from course preparation to careerplanning. A wide range of academic support services are offered including workshopsand teaching sessions to assist students in developing skills essential to success onthe Bar Exam and in legal practice as well as in law school itself.• Practical experience. Students have the opportunity to gain real-world legalexperience either in the new Elder Law Clinic located on the Pleasant Hill campusor through placements in law offices, government agencies, and the courts. Theseexperiences teach practical legal skills, expose students to a valuable professionalnetwork, and provide a chance to engage in valuable public interest work.• Clinical programs. These are programs designed to give the student experience inthe practice of law. Currently, the school offers an on-site Elder Law Clinic as wellas clinics in domestic violence law and immigration law in a working partnershipwith Bay Area Legal Aid nonprofit centers. The students work under the supervisionof core faculty or practitioners in these specialties.School of Law