Diversity and Inclusion at Southwestern | Southwestern Law School

Diversity and Inclusion at Southwestern | Southwestern Law School
Southwestern
Law School
Los Angeles
Maintaining a commitment to its rich legacy of multiculturalism and access, Southwestern is one of the most diverse law schools in the country. There is a strong sense of community among the students who come to Southwestern from virtually every state and a dozen foreign countries. In recent years, Southwestern’s enrollment has included the first- or second-highest representation of African-American students and Latino/Hispanic students of any California law school.
In the most recent entering class:
59%
female
43%
diverse
27
average age
134
undergrad schools
28
states and countries
"Southwestern's diversity really defines the law school. When you are living and working in a place as eclectic as L.A., you have to be capable of understanding the worldviews of the people around you. Everyone at Southwestern offers something different, and it makes for a balanced and transformative legal education."
~ Benjamin Tragish '13, Graduate of the Full-Time Day Program
At Southwestern, we truly value diversity, and we have the
trailblazers
, the student community and the external recognition to prove it. The law school has received numerous awards for its emphasis on diversity from a variety of organizations. Among the most recent are:
2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity
Recognized by
preLaw
Magazine as one of the Top Ten Most Diverse Law Schools in 2021 and 2020 with a grade of A+.
The 2021 Princeton Review - #1 Most Competitive Students in California (#5 in the nation)
The 2020 Princeton Review - #1 Greatest Resources for Minority Students in Southern California (#3 in the state, #9 in the nation)
Recognized by
preLaw
Magazine as a "Best [law] School for Asians, Hispanics, and African-Americans" (2020) and among the "Most Diverse Law Schools" (2019)
Ranked 1st Place for best law school for Hispanics by
preLaw
Magazine (2020) - based on student enrollment, faculty, and student services
See the full list of awards
First Place in the Law School Admission Council’s 2018 Diversity Matters Justice Award
First Place in the Law School Admission Council's 2017 Diversity Matters Award
California State Bar Organizational Diversity Award - only law school to receive the honor
Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity - only law school to receive the award all seven years
Top Ten in Above the Law’s Top Law Schools with the Most Diverse Graduates
Ranked 11th Place for best law school for Asians by
preLaw
Magazine (2020) - based on student enrollment, faculty, and student services
Ranked 21st Place for best law school for African-Americans by
preLaw
Magazine (2020) - based on student enrollment, faculty, and student services
Top 25 Law Schools by Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education - for Hispanic enrollment and degrees awarded
National Jurist “Diversity Honor Roll” - #8 on the list of the most diverse law schools in the country
California Minority Counsel Law School Racial and Ethnic Diversity Award
American Bar Association’s Law Students Division, Dean Henry J. Ramsey Jr. Diversity Award
Many
scholarships
designated for minority and LGBT students
"Southwestern's commitment to diversity is very important to me. Being in an environment where people have different views enables you to be more aware of how the people on the other side of the table feel, and helps you become a better person."
~ Manolo Maddela, 4L Evening Program
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office oversees pipeline initiatives with community colleges, fosters student engagement through collaboration with student groups, and cultivates a campus that celebrates heritage and identity by recognizing significant religious and cultural holidays. Through these efforts and programming, the department strengthens pathways to legal education and enhances a sense of belonging and community within the law school.
Contact Information
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office
Tel:
213-738-6874
Email:
dei@swlaw.edu
Jordan Hall
Associate Dean for Student Services
Tel:
213-738-6758
Email:
StudentServices@swlaw.edu
Guadalupe Sapon
Assistant Director for DEI Initiatives
Tel:
213-738-6874
Email:
dei@swlaw.edu
Diversity Resources
Affinity Groups
Diversity Pipeline Initiatives
Diversity-Related Course Offerings
Faculty Scholarship
Immigration Resources
Information for students who are undocumented (Under review)
Bison Wellness Project
Diversity Events
Diversity Related Blogs/News
Chronicles of Higher Education
Inside Higher Education
Southwestern Law School's Partnership with Cal LAW Pathways Aims to Create a More Inclusive Legal Profession
Building Bridges to Law School with East Los Angeles Community College
Southwestern Students Assist Asylum Seekers in Border Town Pro Bono Program
Southwestern Acknowledged for Committing to Diversity
Southwestern Wins 2018 LSAC Diversity Matters Justice Award!
Q&A with Professor John Heilman for Pride Month
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