Where Innovation, Diversity, and Justice Meet

In November, 2023 the Golden Gate University Board of Trustees voted to discontinue the university’s ABA-accredited Juris Doctor degree and offer a teach-out option to current JD students. We are no longer admitting new students to the JD program. GGU’s Law School will continue serving students with standout legal education, as it has since its founding in 1901.

Golden Gate University School of Law is an award-winning, ABA-accredited law school located in the heart of San Francisco. Our innovative legal degree programs include SJD and LLM degrees as well as two new degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Law and Master of Law Studies (MLS).

Ranked as one of the top law schools for diversity in the US, GGU Law offers a personalized, high-quality learning experience that produces graduates with the training and skillset to become exceptional lawyers and socially conscious members of the global community.

GGU School of Law Programs

Our innovative curriculum offers students the flexibility to select from a wide range of electives, hands-on clinical programs, and practical training opportunities that help them explore their career interests. Our courses are taught by exceptional faculty, who have expertise across a broad range of academic fields and areas of legal study.

GGU Law will continue to offer degrees at the graduate and undergraduate levels, including the SJD, LLMs in Taxation and Estate Planning, Master of Law Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Law.

For the academic year 2024-2025, we will not be accepting new students into some of our LLM and SJD programs. Please check back in January, 2025 for an admissions update for the LLM and SJD programs.

Current SJD and LLM students can find program information in the University Catalog.

Select your law program from the list below.

Program

Degree Level

Format

Area of Interest

 

Estate Planning Law

Graduate Certificate

Online,
Hybrid

Law

Estate Planning, LLM

Master’s

Hybrid

Law

Law Studies, MLS

Master’s

Online

Law

Taxation Law

Graduate Certificate

Online,
Hybrid

Law,
Taxation

Taxation and Estate Planning, Dual LLM

Master’s

Online,
Hybrid

Law,
Taxation

Taxation, LLM

Master’s

Online,
Hybrid

Law,
Taxation

San Francisco’s
Law School Since 1901

Founded in 1901, Golden Gate University School of Law was the first Northern California law school with an evening program and is one of the oldest law schools in the Western United States.

The School of Law provides exceptional, practical legal training combined with solid legal theory. Students are challenged to view law not merely as rules to be mastered, but also as social policies to be explored and questioned. Through our extensive clinical offerings, our highly respected litigation program and our comprehensive writing curriculum, our students acquire superb skills in analysis, document drafting, advocacy, trial technique, counseling, interviewing and negotiating.

The School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

San Francisco skyline with bridge at sunset.

Dean’s List – Summer 2024

The Dean’s List is intended to recognize law students who perform at a superior level.

Award ribbon

Meet Our Faculty

Learn more about the full time faculty of the Golden Gate University School of Law.

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Law Specialty Programs

GGU Law offers a variety of innovative programs that prepare students to be practice-ready on day one and help them develop important skills and expertise in topics that will be used throughout their careers.

  • 1st Step and Litigation
  • Public Interest Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Intellectual Property
  • Legal Writing and Research
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Discover opportunities to collaborate with peers and gain real-world experience.

Clinics and Externships

Our award-winning clinics provide students with rich opportunities to receive practical training and gain valuable experience, all while leading the fight on critical social justice issues.

Gain valuable knowledge and experience through GGU's Centers of Excellence.

Centers of Excellence

For decades, our Centers of Excellence have been giving students the opportunity to innovate, explore critical legal issues, seek justice, and expand the legacy of GGU Law.

GGU supports student success in and out of the classroom.

Student Success

Small classes and dedicated staff, GGU Law features personalized attention and outstanding opportunities for academic success and professional development.

Set of three books.

Bar Preparation

GGU Law provides students no-cost bar prep materials from the moment they enter school until the time they pass the Bar, through our partnership with Themis Bar Review.

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Career Development

We are here to guide you in your professional development, including career counseling, networking and recruiting programs, career panels, and more.

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Accessible Education

We are committed to working with students and employees with disabilities or temporary injuries to achieve full and equal access to all aspects of life at GGU.

Innovation is Our Tradition

U.S. News and World Report, Best Grad Schools, Law Trial Advocacy 2023-2024

U.S. News and World Report
Best Grad Schools
Law
Trial Advocacy
2023-2024

U.S. News and World Report, Best Grad Schools, Law Environmental Law 2023-2024

U.S. News and World Report
Best Grad Schools
Law
Environmental Law
2023-2024

U.S. News and World Report Best Grad Schools, Law, Clinical Training 2023-2024

U.S. News and World Report
Best Grad Schools
Law
Clinical Training
2023-2024

Contra Costa County District Attorney, JD '85, Diana Becton

What I received at Golden Gate is a unique set of skills that I can take anywhere in life. The expertise that I received transcends across my many careers in real estate, finance, law, and have taken me from Presiding Judge to District Attorney.