McGeorge School of Law ranked as one of the nation’s most diverse law schools

School also earns top marks in public policy, government law, and trial advocacy

The University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law was recognized as one of the nation’s most diverse law schools in the Winter 2023 issue of preLaw Magazine. McGeorge also earned accolades in public policy, government law, and trial advocacy.

“McGeorge School of Law is proud to be honored for its strengths in diversity, trial advocacy, government law, and public policy,” Dean Michael Hunter Schwartz said. “These rankings affirm our commitment to opening doors to the legal profession for students from marginalized populations and ensuring all of our students are practice-ready on day one of their legal careers.”

McGeorge School of Law was ranked as the No. 14 most diverse law school in the country. The ranking reflects the school’s long-standing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).

The magazine’s diversity ranking measures the percentage of diverse students and faculty from five racial groups in comparison with the national average. The five racial groups included in the ranking’s methodology are Asian and Pacific Islander, Black, Caucasian, Latinx, and Native American. 

This fall, a majority of the law school’s incoming class of students identified as racially or ethnically diverse for the first time in the history of the law school. 51 percent of the school’s first-year law students are from marginalized populations. Additionally, McGeorge’s Class of 2025 is comprised of 54 percent women, 38 percent first-generation college students, and 83 percent first-generation law students.

“One of the greatest strengths of McGeorge School of Law is that we recognize and celebrate diversity and its indelible impact on our campus community. We not only recruit and enroll talented, diverse students at our institution, but also strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where students feel seen, valued, and appreciated because they are,” said Valerie James, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid, & Diversity Initiatives. 

In the past two years, the law school has hired eight full-time faculty. Of the new faculty hired, six are women, four are People of Color, one is of Middle Eastern descent, and two are members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The McGeorge alumni community spans all 50 states and 64 countries, and represents a broad range of legal careers, including both traditional and non-traditional paths.

“Since being at McGeorge, I’ve been convinced every day that I could not have made a better choice. McGeorge challenges me in every way, but in ways that I know will mold me into the best attorney that I can be,” said second-year law student Francia Orduño. “McGeorge has been, is, and will continue to empower a generation of attorneys that will go on to transform the legal field.”