University of California College of the Law-San Francisco

University of California College of the Law-San Francisco is a public law school located in San Francisco, California. Established in 1878, it was the first law school of the University of California system and is now an independent institution within the UC framework, governed by its own board of directors. The school offers Juris Doctor and advanced law degrees and is known for its strong connections to the legal, governmental, and business communities of the Bay Area. Its urban campus places students near state and federal courts, law firms, and public interest organizations, attracting those interested in litigation, public service, technology law, and policy-focused legal careers.

University of California College of the Law-San Francisco was established in 1878 by Serranus Clinton Hastings, the first Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. Created by state statute as the first law school of the University of California, the institution was originally known as Hastings College of the Law. Located in San Francisco, it developed close ties to the state’s courts and legal community, helping shape legal education in the American West. Throughout the twentieth century, University of California College of the Law-San Francisco expanded its academic programs, faculty, and campus facilities, including the construction of a permanent academic building in 1953. The school maintained a unique governance structure independent of the UC Regents. In January 2023, following legislative action, it was officially renamed University of California College of the Law-San Francisco, reflecting a modernized identity while continuing its longstanding legal education mission in California.