Welcome UC Davis Law Class of 2011
On August 17, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., UC Davis School of Law faculty, alumni board members, staff, and current students convened at the Putah Creek Lodge to celebrate the incoming class of 2011 at a barbecue hosted by the Office of Admissions. Dean Kevin Johnson, Assistant Dean for Admission and Enrollment Sharon Pinkney, Alumni Board Chair Steve Boutin, and Law Student Association President Eric Toscano '09 joined in welcoming the newest group of UC Davis Law students.
The incoming class, like those before it, is comprised of students who display academic excellence and who embody the Law School's aim of increasing diversity of backgrounds and interests in the legal profession. Currently, 200 students hold seats in the new class. Twenty-three students have advanced degrees, including three Ph.D.s. and two LL.M.s. Women represent 56 percent of the class, while students of color constitute 41 percent. The median age of the class of 2011 is 25, though ages range from 20 to 54.
Seventy-nine percent of incoming J.D. students are residents of California, with 50 percent having graduated from one of the 10 University of California campuses. Ten percent of incoming first-year students are citizens of countries other than the United States.
The welcome barbecue kicked off Intro Week, five days of academic and social activities for the incoming J.D. class. Intro Week serves as a means of informally integrating students into the law school environment.
UC Davis School of Law
The School of Law combines a rigorous academic program with strong interdisciplinary studies and pioneering programs in clinical legal education. The three-year curriculum for the juris doctor degree at UC Davis is both challenging and intensive. Specialized work in all major areas of the law is offered.
The UC Davis School of Law was established in 1962 by the UC Regents, due in part to the high demand for a public university legal education. The School graduated its first class in 1969 and quickly climbed into the top-tier ranking of nationally accredited law schools, where it remains today.
The School of Law is regarded as one of the best law schools established in the past 50 years. The School is recognized nationally for its core areas of strength, including business law, criminal law and procedure, environmental and natural resources law, health care law and bioethics, human rights and social justice law, constitutional law, intellectual property law, international law, and public interest law. In-house clinical programs provide a unique "hands-on" opportunity for law students to work on cases involving civil rights, family law and domestic violence, prisoners' rights, and immigration law.
In addition to its outstanding national reputation and scholarly productivity, the Law School faculty has maintained a commitment to small classes as a means of facilitating successful student-faculty interactions. The School is noted for its strong community spirit, formed by pairing a dynamic student body with an exceptional faculty and dedicated staff.