Berkeley Law's Public Mission

Berkeley Law’s mission is to prepare responsible, effective, and visionary advocates who will serve the public’s needs through the practice of law, the formulation of public policy, contributions to legal scholarship, and in other spaces.

Featured Stories

New Magazine Issue Features Berkeley Law’s Leadership Across the Legal Terrain
From a new, multipronged leadership initiative for students to our Human Rights Clinic’s hefty impact and growing domestic agenda, the latest Transcript issue is packed with examples of visionary work.
Deep Learning: How Berkeley Law Scholars and Programs Are at the Forefront on AI
Across the legal landscape, our faculty, students, research centers, and executive and Continuing Legal Education platforms are meeting the challenges of AI head on.
Northern Exposure: Berkeley Law’s Growing Connections in Alaska Bring Widespread Rewards
A growing number of alums take on key positions in Alaska’s court system, public sector, and private practice, drawn to a collegial legal community that fosters early opportunities.
In New Book, Berkeley Law Alums Offer Blueprints for a More Inclusive Profession
Mallika Kaur ’10 and Lindsay Harris ’09 co-edited How to Account for Trauma and Emotions in Law Teaching, which makes the case for engaging — and even encouraging — emotion in the classroom and the courtroom.

In the News

Broken Promises: Deported veterans stuggle to access entitled benefits
Topics: Public Mission Topic
New report from Berkeley Law students and Lecturer Rose Carmen Goldberg who overseas the Veterans Practicum, looks at the struggles deported veterans face when trying to access benefits they are entitled to.
Berkeley Law’s Veterans Law Practicum releases report on deported veterans crisis
Topics: Public Mission Topic
According to Rose Carmen Goldberg, lecturer at UC Berkeley School of Law and director of the VLP, the report is a testament to a great irony: Veterans, who served in the U.S. military, can be deported. After being deported, veterans have a more difficult time accessing the health and service benefits they’re entitled to.
Deported veterans struggle to access VA services, study finds
Topics: Immigration Law Topic, Public Mission Topic
Deported veterans face significant barriers accessing a variety of veteran-centric services, including health care benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a study by the University of California-Berkeley School of Law.

more news

“Part of what makes Berkeley Law special and unique is our public mission. This is reflected in everything we do. Virtually all of our students do pro bono work beginning in their first year of law school. We provide financial support for our students doing public service work during the summers of law school, through fellowships after law school, and through our Loan Repayment Assistance Program. Our clinics and our centers do important work in representing clients and seeking to improve the law. Our public mission permeates every aspect of Berkeley Law.”
— Dean Erwin Chemerinsky

“The J.D. Admissions and Financial Aid Office has a responsibility to engage, admit, recruit, and support future lawyers who will ultimately serve the legal needs of all members of society.”
— J.D. Admissions

“Berkeley Law’s student body is uniquely dedicated to community-based legal work in the public interest, stemming from the acknowledgement that obtaining a law degree is an immense privilege that should be used as a tool for justice. As a student here, I feel both honored to carry on the work of students who came before me as well as supported in new endeavors to push the needle towards necessary, progressive social change in the legal field.”
— Alexis Hoffman ’22

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events scheduled at this time. Check back later!

more events

Real-World Experiences

Our Clinics

Student-Led Pro Bono Projects

Field Placement Program

Alternative Service Trips

Clinic News

Unique Auditor-Mentee Program Enriches Environmental Law Clinic and UC Berkeley Undergrads
Each year the Berkeley Law clinic welcomes up to three UC Berkeley undergrads, who immerse themselves in weekly classes and environmental projects with law students.
Berkeley Law Hosts National Workshop Addressing Challenges for Latinas in the Legal Academy
Latina law faculty share experiences and strategies for collective and professional development for Latinas, who comprise just 1.6% of tenured and tenure-track law professors.
Samuelson Clinic Students Work to Defend Library Patrons’ Right to Privacy
The Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic files an amicus brief explaining the importance of reader privacy in digital library lending.

more clinic news

Considering law school? These programs may interest you.

PUBLIC INTEREST SCHOLARSHIP

The Berkeley Law Public Interest Scholars Program is a full three-year scholarship for students dedicated to public interest work. Berkeley Law admitted the first class of Public Interest Scholars in 2021. Meet our first class of scholars.

LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Berkeley Law maintains a strong commitment to public service-oriented graduates. It is our goal to preserve career choice by lowering the student debt barrier. Learn more.