Student Services Office | Southwestern Law School
Southwestern
Law School
Los Angeles
The Student Services Office, home to the Advising Center, provides personal and academic advising to all Southwestern students. Our team supports students across a wide range of academic and administrative matters, including specialized guidance for those facing academic challenges (see list below). We also coordinate services for transfer and visiting students. In alignment with our commitment to holistic student well-being, students may be encouraged to access additional support through BisonCares, Southwestern’s off-campus counseling resource, or the Academic Success Program, which offers tools and encouragement to help students thrive both academically and personally.
Contact the Student Services Office if you need:
Academic Advising regarding:
Scheduling
Course Registration
Progress to Graduation
Status Changes
Leaves of Absence
Probation and Disqualification
Personal Concerns
Attendance Issues
Assistance with:
Letters of Standing
Late Add/Drop Courses
Special Registration Requests
Program Status Changes
Incompletes
Leaves of Absence
Withdrawal
Exam Date and Time Changes
Exam Accommodations and Emergencies
Study Abroad Programs
Transfer and Visiting Out Requests
Evaluation of Transfer Credit
Dean's Certification for Students to Appear in Court
Independent Studies
The Student Services Office also works collaboratively with faculty, Academic Success, and various other departments to address student needs. Additionally, the office sponsors academic advising programs such as Table Days and other events to promote student well-being and is actively involved in developing other programs and activities to enhance student life on campus.
Advising Center
From academic planning to individualized advising, the staff of the Advising Center is here to assist with problems in order to help students have successful academic careers. We highly encourage you to visit the Advising Center and take advantage of this valuable resource.
To schedule an appointment with an academic advisor, please visit the Student Services Office
Portal
page.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQS: Attendance
Can I attend an in-person class remotely?
You will need to check your professors' syllabi to see if they have a “Participation via Zoom Policy” in their course syllabus.  If they do, please contact them and ask if you can attend remotely. If they do not have remote availability, then you may ask them for a lecture recording.  Please note that if you do attend remotely you are not permitted to log in on Qwickly.
I'm sick or experiencing an emergency. Can my absence by excused?
We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing an emergency. Unfortunately, we cannot excuse your absence. Per Southwestern's
Attendance Policy
, students are allowed to miss 20% of classes. This amounts to about three weeks of classes depending on the course. Should you exceed the 20% limit, you may appeal Administrative Withdrawal from the course with the Student Services Office.
I need to miss class due to a religious observance. What should I do?
Please contact the Student Services Office at
studentservices@swlaw.edu
. You will also need to reach out to your professors directly and notify them of your absence(s).
FAQS: Exams
I have two exams on the same day at different times. Can I reschedule my exam?
Pursuant to the
Southwestern Examination Policy
, approval of exam date/time change requests is only permissible under extraordinary circumstances or when two exams overlap on the same date/time.
I have two exams on the same day at the same time. Can I reschedule my exam?
Yes. Please fill out the Special Exam Administration form and submit it to
studentservices@swlaw.edu
. You can find the form in the Documents section below. Please submit the form at least four weeks prior to your exam.
I have to travel on the date of my exam. Can I reschedule it?
Since the exam schedule is posted in advance of the semester, students are expected to adjust their schedules accordingly to be able to take their exam as scheduled.  As such, please provide a statement regarding the purpose of the travel and a travel itinerary that shows when the travel arrangements were purchased. To submit a request, please complete the Special Exam Administration form and submit it
tostudentservices@swlaw.edu
. You can find the form in the Documents section below.
FAQs: Miscellaneous
Can I take more or less units than I'm allowed?
Students can request an overload or underload of one unit once during their law school enrollment. To request an over or underload please complete the Student Action Report form and send it to studentservices@swlaw.edu. You can find the Student Action Report form in the Portal. Please make sure to include a list of all classes you are intending to take.
I'm thinking about taking a Leave of Absence. What should I do?
Please schedule an appointment with one of our academic advisors. They will walk you through the Leave of Absence process and help you determine the best course of action.
I have a disability. How can I request an accommodation?
Please complete the accommodations
intake form
. Once we receive the form, we will schedule a meeting to discuss the accommodation process and answer any questions you may have.
I found a discrepancy in my moral character application. What should I do?
Please schedule an appointment with one of our academic advisors. They will help you determine the best course of action.
How can I request a Letter of Standing?
Please fill out the Letter of Standing Request form and submit it to
studentservices@swlaw.edu
. You can find the form in the Documents section below. Please allow up to 5 business days for us to process your form.
Can the Student Services Office complete my PTLS form?
Please fill out the Letter of Standing Request form and submit it to
studentservices@swlaw.edu
. You can find the form in the Documents section below. Please allow up to 5 business days for us to process your form.
Accessibility Accommodations
The office is also responsible for accessibility accommodations for students with
disabilities
. Students must contact the Student Services Office as early as possible to discuss requests for special accommodations. The office also makes recommendations for awards and scholarships.
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday (remote), 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Other times by appointment
Current Students may find detailed information and forms on the
Portal
(log-in required).
Contact Information
Jordan Hall
Associate Dean for Student Services
Tel:
213-738-6758
Email:
StudentServices@swlaw.edu
Zachary Bruning
Assistant Dean for Student Services/ Designated Military/Veteran Student Advisor
Tel:
213-738-6721
Email:
zbruning@swlaw.edu
Sylvia Villalpando
Associate Director of Student Services/ 504 Coordinator/ PDSO
Tel:
213-738-6888
Email:
svillalpando@swlaw.edu
SJ Calica
Title IX Coordinator/Civil Rights Investigator
Tel:
213-738-6738
Email:
TitleIX@swlaw.edu
Guadalupe Sapon
Assistant Director for DEI Initiatives
Tel:
213-738-6874
Email:
dei@swlaw.edu
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