Dear Prospective Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in the People's College of Law. 
The following is information intended to answer some of your questions about the school.  If after reading this, you still have questions, feel free to contact the school (213) at 483-0083 or e-mail -  administrator@peoplescollegeoflaw.edu

This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

PCL Philosophy - PCL was created to bring legal resources to under-represented communities and train legal advocates who will secure progressive social change and justice in society.  Our goals are 1) to train advocates for human rights, tenants' rights, women's rights, gay rights, consumer rights, workers' rights; to fight discrimination, economic and political oppression, abuse of power, and 2) to enable and empower those who have been historically denied legal resources and protections.  

If you are NOT comfortable advocating for the working class, the poor, the disabled, the incarcerated, minority groups, women, immigrants, environmentalists, anti-war activists, or the gay community, (just to name a few), PCL is not the place for you;  PCL was created to defend, and actively recruits people from these particular communities.  

OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the requirements for admission into PCL?

Academic Requirements:  Applicants are required to have completed at least two years of college education (60 semester units or 90 quarter units in a curricular program that, if completed, would earn a bachelor's degree) or have passed the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) with grades meeting minimum standards set by the California Committee of Bar Examiners.

If you have not earned a Bachelor's degree, nor passed the CLEP, you must have completed the required transferable units.  Unfortunately, not all classes in community colleges or technical schools are transferable.  If you are not sure how many transferable units you have completed, contact the California Bar for a "Credit Evaluation." 

Socio-Political Requirements:  An eligible candidate will be able to demonstrate a commitment to progressive social change.  This is often best shown with, for example, verifiable evidence of recent volunteer service, whether in community, international, political, labor or other spheres of activity, and whether in organizing, membership, leadership, or other forms of involvements.  Tell us about your commitment to progressive social change.  What have you done?  What do you plan to do?

Other Requirements:
1.      A completed application and at least three letters of recommendation must be submitted along with the application fee (presently $30).

2.      While the tuition is low, at this time the school no financial assistance, nor scholarship resources, therefore the student must be able to pay tuition.  There may be private sources for scholarships based upon need and/or merit.

3.      The applicant must be interviewed by a small panel of faculty and students who will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors based upon review of the application and interview.

Does PCL accept transfer students from other law schools?  PCL does accept transfer students who meet the admission requirements.  However, before a student applies to PCL, he or she is responsible to contact the California Bar to secure from them a clarification of units which are still needed.  In addition, PCL has a 2-year minimum commitment requirement.  Currently, the State Bar charges $30.00 for this service.

FUND RAISING AWARDS DINNER - The school has one major fundraiser a year; the PCL Annual Awards Dinner, where two outstanding community members or organizations and one PCL alumni are recognized.  At past dinners, the school has recognized Dolores Huerta (of the United Farm Workers), the Muslim Women's Organization, Father Gregory Boyle, and many People's Lawyers and PCL alumni, including Public Defender Alba Nydia Marrero.
As a student, you can contribute by promoting the fund raising dinner to your friends, family and organizations you work with.

MAINTENANCE OF THE SCHOOL - ACCOUNTABILITY HOURS - "Accountability" refers to the requirement that each student be accountable to the PCL collective by contributing 40 hours of work per school year to school operations. 

The administrative office works with the Accountability Committee on assigning tasks to students and ensuring that work requirements are fulfilled.  If you have a skill that can contribute to the school, you can earn accountability time for it.  i.e., are you a carpenter, a typist, a web-master, a grant-writer, a fund-raiser?

THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA - At different phases of your legal studies and career, you will be responsible for meeting State Bar requirements, taking an examination or paying a fee.

THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA 1149 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015-2299  (213) 765-1000 - You can download most forms from the Admissions section of their website: www.calbar.ca.gov

What do you think?  The school is now holding monthly Open House events in which you can see the school, ask questions and even sit in on the lecture.  Come in and decide if you are ready to commit four years of your life to your future and to your progressive causes.

Once You Have Been Admitted...You need to register with State Bar as a Law Student within 90 days of beginning law school.  The State Bar imposes penalties for late registration or submission of incomplete paperwork.  Become familiar with all State Bar deadlines. 

First Year Curriculum - The standard First Year Substantive Courses are offered in 15-week trimesters, with classes beginning after Labor Day and ending in May.  First year students attend class three nights a week during the first semester and four nights a week during the second semester.

First Year Courses
Criminal Law............ 1 Semester   (3 units per semester class = 3 units)
Legal Writing............ 2 Semesters (3 units per semester class = 6 units)
Tort Law.................. 2 Semesters (3 units per semester class = 6 units)
Contract Law........... 2 Semesters (3 units per semester class = 6 units)
Total: 21 Units

Criminal Law - This introductory course is an opportunity to become well grounded in the common law of crimes and the defenses to crimes, as modified by widely adopted statutory devises.  The subject matter is well suited to the development of skills in issue identification and creative problem solving.  A social and political approach is used to analyze how such factors are used in defining behavior as criminal and to examine the impact of the criminal justice system upon those who become involved in it.  This is a one-semester course.

Legal Writing - A practical approach to legal writing and legal analysis is used to cultivate the basic tools of lawyering and succeeding as a student.  Systems are taught to develop proficiency in issue spotting and analysis.  Study methods and test-taking techniques are furnished to enhance the students' performance.  This is a two semester course.

Torts - This course is the study of civil law and civil wrongs - intentional and negligent, and the responsibility for such wrongs.  Torts is the foundation for personal injury law.  The development of tort law is discussed, as it is the current state of law, in order to assist the student in understanding the objectives to be served by the body of tort law and to prepare socially conscious lawyers to represent the victims of torts effectively. This is a two semester course. 

Contracts - This is a course about legally enforceable promises that is particularly well suited to the development of skills in legal analysis.  The study of contracts includes the bargaining process, interpreting the bargain, performance under a contract, and breach of contract.  This is a two semester course.

FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENT EXAMINATION
All PCL students must take the First Year Law Student Exam (Baby Bar) at the end of their first year, unless exempted by the State Bar.  The Baby Bar is intended to demonstrate that a student is ready to move up to the 2nd year. 

The State Bar administers the Baby Bar in June & October of every year.  The exam consists of four essay questions to be written in 3½ hours and 100 multiple-choice (multi-state) questions to be answered in 3 hours.  The exam only covers the subjects studied in the first year (Criminal Law, Torts & Contracts). 

What's the deal with the Baby Bar?  The Baby Bar is given to students attending unaccredited law schools.  Students choose unaccredited law schools for different reasons.  These schools tend to have a lower tuition, more flexibility, and in the case of PCL, a philosophy different from traditional law schools.  A student's choice to attend an unaccredited law school is not a reflection of his or her potential to become a good People's Lawyer.  Hundreds of PCL alumni, through their hard work and discipline have passed bar exam and so can you.  

Some Tips for Being Successful in Law School

Before you begin law school, you need to make changes in your life to increase your chances of being successful: 

1.      Put everyone in your life on notice that your first year of law school is about your future.
2.      This is not the year to take on more duties at your community organizations.
3.      Negotiate with your family & significant others to be excused from family events from September through June.  You can make up for it later.
4.      Try to secure a job in which you can clock out at 5:00 p.m.
5.      Cancel your scheduled vacation plans and take time off in early June instead.
6.      Form a study group immediately and make it a habit to study everyday. 
7.      Speak with upper division students about tutoring and study tips. 
8.      Take advantage of any reviews offered by PCL professors and students. 
9.      Jeff Flemings offers a commercial Baby Bar review course in Orange County.  He also publishes study materials, including sample essays, multi-state questions and audio tapes.  Check out his website: www.lawprepare.com

2nd, 3rd & 4th year courses are offered in 10 week quarters.  The availability of classes rotates and is subject to change.   In addition, the State Bar requires that a student take a minimum of 18 units per academic year.  The following are substantive courses a student must take in order to earn a J.D. from the Peoples College of Law:

Second Year Courses
Civil Procedure............... 3 Qtrs (2 units per quarter class = 6 units)
Evidence........................ 3 Qtrs (2 units per quarter class = 6 units)
Property........................ 3 Qtrs (2 units per quarter class = 6 units)
Total: 18 Units

Third Year Courses 
Constitutional Law........... 3 Qtrs (2 units per quarter class = 6 Units)
Remedies....................... 3 Qtrs (2 units per quarter class = 4 Units)
Criminal Procedure.........  1 Qtr (2 units per quarter class = 2 Units)
Professional  Resp........... 1 Qtr   (2 units per quarter class = 2 Units)
Corporations..................  1 Qtr   (2 units per quarter class = 2 Units)
Total: 18 Units

Fourth Year Courses 
Wills............................... 1 Qtr   (2 units per quarter class = 2 Units)
Trusts............................. 1 Qtr   (2 units per quarter class = 2 Units)
Community Prop............. 1 Qtr   (2 units per quarter class = 2 Units)
Electives........................ 6 classes (2 units per quarter class = 12 Units)
Total: 18 Units

Grand Total: 72 Units

Law Books - Below are some places where you can buy new & used books:

 
1.     Legal Books Distribution (near Cal-State LA) 4247 Whiteside St., L.A. 90063  (323) 526-7110 www.discovery-press.com
2.     www.Amazon.com or www.Ebay.com
3.      Any law school bookstore 

Tuition - $223.00 per unit Estimated Costs for the First Year:
PCL Application Fee.............................. $30
PCL First Year Courses (21 units)............ $4,014 (pay for 18, get 3 free)
Accountability Fee............................... $600
State Bar Law Student Registration....... $97
Books................................................ $270 ($90 for each class - approx)
First Year Law Student Exam ............... $513 (Subject to change)
Commercial Baby Bar Review............... $450 (Optional)
TOTAL................................................$5,851
The good feeling you get when you defend the people against the oppressor...well you know!

In real solidarity,
Magda Madrigal, Graduate of People's College of Law. 
 

Disclaimer:
The above information does not constitute an offer or a contract.  All information is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed.  PCL does not endorse any of the vendors mentioned above; they are merely intended as advice from a student's perspective.  Revised: 1-14-10