Complaint Procedure

Procedure for Student Complaints Concerning the Program of Legal Education

UC Davis School of Law is approved by the American Bar Association (Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738). The ABA Standards for the Approval of Law Schools can be accessed on the American Bar Association’s website.

Any student who alleges that a significant problem directly implicates the School of Law’s program of legal education and its compliance with the ABA’s Accreditation Standards should submit a complaint in writing to either the School of Law’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Senior Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. The complaint must describe in detail the behavior, program, process, or other matter that is the subject of the complaint, and should explain how the matter implicates the School of Law’s program of legal education and its compliance with specific, identified ABA Standard(s). The signed written statement must include the student’s contact information that can be used for further communication about the complaint, including the student’s name, the student’s official UC Davis e-mail address, a street address and a telephone number.

Within fifteen business days after a signed written complaint is received by the dean to whom it is submitted, the dean, or the dean’s designee, shall assess the complaint and advise the student of any action the School of Law is taking to address the matter or of any further investigation into the matter.

Within ten business days of being advised of the outcome or resolution of the student’s complaint, the student may appeal that decision in writing to the dean of the School of Law. The decision of the dean shall be final.

A copy of the complaint and a summary of the process and resolution of the complaint shall be kept in the Office of the Dean for a period of 8 years.

Please note:

The Regulations of the Faculty of the School of Law and the UC Davis Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs site each contain separate sections pertaining specifically to student rights and grievances. Jurisdiction over and resolution of a student complaint may fall under a combination of School of Law or university policies. Questions about student-related School of Law or University policies may be directed to the School of Law’s Senior Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at (530) 752-0243.  Inquiries regarding the University’s student-related grievance policies and conduct standards may also be directed to Director, Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (530) 752-1128.