University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law is a private, American Bar Association (ABA)-approved law school in the Oak Park neighborhood of the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the University of the Pacific and is located on the University's Sacramento campus. Because of its location in California’s capital, the law school has developed close ties with state government. California legislators, judges, and high-ranking government officials have taught as adjunct professors at the school, and many McGeorge alumni have served in leadership positions in state government.
McGeorge Law is known for its nationally prominent programs in government law, trial and appellate advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, and international law.
History
The law school began in 1921 as a night program when University of Chicago Law School graduate and Standard Oil executive Verne Adrian McGeorge began teaching law students in downtown Sacramento, California. It was formally established in 1924 as Sacramento College of Law and in 1929 was renamed McGeorge School of Law in honor of its founder.
Gordon D. Schaber served as dean from 1957 to 1991 and oversaw a period of major growth and transformation. In 1957, the school moved to its current campus in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood. It received full accreditation from the State Bar of California in 1964. It merged with the University of the Pacific in 1966 and became known as Pacific McGeorge.
It received accreditation by the American Bar Association in 1968, followed by significant enrollment growth during the 1970s. In 1974, McGeorge launched its International Legal Studies Program in Salzburg, Austria. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy taught in the program from 1975 to 2019.
McGeorge was one of the early U.S. law schools to establish study-abroad programs. Its first program was held in Vienna in 1975, and a summer program in Salzburg, Austria began in the mid-1980s. That program continues today. Former U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy taught in the Salzburg program for more than 30 years. In connection with the program, McGeorge offers summer externship opportunities in various international locations.
In 2021, alumnus Robert T. Eglet ‘88 and Tracy A. Eglet, among the most successful trial lawyers in the country, donated $25 million to the law school, one of the largest gifts in the history of American legal education. This gift creates scholarships for first generation college students and supports McGeorge’s Eglet Center for Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution.
Accreditation, memberships, rankings
McGeorge has been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1968. As an ABA-approved law school, McGeorge graduates are eligible to sit for the bar examination in any American jurisdiction.
Memberships
McGeorge joined the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) in 1974 and is approved for participation in veterans’ educational benefits programs. It has a chapter of the Order of the Coif, a national law school honorary society founded for the purposes of encouraging legal scholarship and advancing the ethical standards of the legal profession.
Rankings and bar exam passage rate
In the PreLaw Magazine 2025 Winter issue, McGeorge ranked #1 for Government Law, the highest-ranked program in California.
In the May 2025 U.S. News & World Report, McGeorge ranked #9 for Trial Advocacy and #18 for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
McGeorge received the 2025 LGBTQ+ Institutional Inclusive Excellence Award from the Association of American Law Schools Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues for its support of LGBTQ+ students.
The Blakely Advocacy Institute at the University of Houston Law Center ranked McGeorge’s moot court program 14th nationally for the 2022-2023 school year.
In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report law school rankings, McGeorge School of Law was ranked tied for 163rd out of 197 schools.
Academic programs
McGeorge offers degree programs leading to the award of the JD (Juris Doctor), the LLM (Master of Laws), the MPA (Master of Public Administration), the MPP (Master of Public Policy), the MSL (Master of Science in Law) and the JSD (Doctor of Juridical Science) degrees.
Concentrations
McGeorge offers several JD Certificate of Concentration programs designed to allow students to focus their legal studies in a specific area of practice.
Business Law
The Business Certificate of Concentration emphasizes general business law and related practice areas, such as entertainment law, employment law, banking law, and real estate law.
Capital Lawyering
The Capital Lawyering Certificate of Concentration focuses on preparing students for careers in public policy, legislation, and government practice.
Elder and Health Law
The Elder & Health Certificate of Concentration is designed for students interested in health care law, elder law, or regulatory work. The program prepares students to represent both individuals and institutions or to serve in regulatory agencies.
Intellectual Property Law
The Intellectual Property Certificate of Concentration allows students to explore legal issues in patent, copyright, trademark, and related fields such as entertainment and artistry law.
International Law
The International Certificate of Concentration emphasizes public international law and private international law.
Tax Law
The Tax Certificate of Concentration offers coursework in federal and state tax law relevant to business, estate planning, and charitable organizations.
Trial and Appellate Advocacy
The Trial & Appellate Advocacy Certificate of Concentration provides training in criminal and civil trial preparation and advocacy, and alternatives to litigation.
Water and Environmental Law
The Water & Environmental Certificate of Concentration focuses on issues governed by environmental, energy, and water law on local, national, and international levels.
Clinics
McGeorge offers a range of legal clinics designed to provide students with experiential learning opportunities while delivering pro bono legal services to underserved populations. These clinics allow students to apply legal theory in real-world settings and develop practical lawyering skills under faculty supervision.
Bankruptcy Clinic
The Bankruptcy Clinic offers practical skills training in insolvency law. Students interview and counsel clients, assess cases, and may represent debtors in proceedings before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic
The Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic provides legal services to unhoused individuals with criminal legal system contact. Students represent clients in civil, criminal, and administrative matters, gaining hands-on litigation experience.
Elder & Health Law Clinic
The Elder & Health Law Clinic provides students with practical experience in civil law involving elder care, health law, and related interdisciplinary issues, including probate, financial abuse, social security, and advance healthcare planning.
Federal Defender Clinic
The Federal Defender Clinic allows students to represent indigent clients in federal misdemeanor cases, draft legal memoranda, argue motions, and gain practical experience in client counseling, plea negotiation, and trial advocacy.
Immigration Law Clinic
The Immigration Law Clinic provides students with practical skills in client interviewing, legal issue resolution, and case planning while representing underserved non-citizens before the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Court.
Legislative and Public Policy Clinic
The Legislative and Public Policy Clinic offers students practical experience in researching, drafting, and advocating for California state legislative and policy changes while engaging with government officials, lobbyists, and media.
Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic
The Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic offers students the chance to co-mediate Section 1983 prisoner civil rights cases with a federal magistrate judge in the Eastern District of California, developing mediation skills and legal knowledge.
Day and Evening Programs
McGeorge offers both a three-year day division program and four-year evening division program. Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, McGeorge’s evening program is scheduled to be offered in a hybrid format, so students will need to be with students attending classes on campus two evenings per week during the first two years and having the option of a reduced on-campus presence in the final two years.
International Board of Advisors
The International Board of Advisors is an advisory body that provides guidance and support to the law school’s faculty, administration, and students regarding educational programs and professional development in international law and transnational practice. The Board is comprised of individuals of distinction and preeminent international leaders who bring diverse professional backgrounds to the school. It has contributed to expanding McGeorge’s global network and enhancing the school’s presence and impact around the world. In 2024, the Board launched McGeorge International, an e-newsletter designed to keep readers informed and engaged with the latest updates, insights, and developments from around the globe.
Prominent Faculty Working in International Law
- Stephen McCaffrey, expert in international water law, 2018 Elisabeth Haub Award and 2017 Stockholm Water Prize laureate.
- Omar Dajani, Carol Olson Professor and co-director at McGeorge, expert on Palestinian-Israeli legal issues and international law scholar.
- Michael Malloy, expert in bank regulation, economic sanctions, and international banking law.
- Frank Gevurtz, recognized as a leading commentator on corporate law; author of Corporation Law treatise.
- Michael Vitiello, expert in criminal law, sentencing policy, and marijuana law; author of 13 books and 80+ articles.
- Jarrod Wong, Co-Director of the Global Center for Business and Development. He is a scholar in international dispute resolution.
Location
The McGeorge School of Law is located on University of the Pacific's Sacramento campus at 3200 Fifth Avenue in the Oak Park area of Sacramento, the capital of California.
Campus
McGeorge is located on a 14-acre campus. The campus includes redwoods and a community garden maintained by student, staff, and faculty volunteers from McGeorge School of Law and the University of the Pacific School of Health Sciences. Started in 2010 by Environmental Law Society students, the garden provides nutritious food, stress relief, hands-on learning experiences, and opportunities for campus community members to connect.
Students have access to an on-campus pool and gym. The gym, located next to the community garden, was recently revamped with brand-new gear, machines, and updated paint and flooring. These recreation facilities are available at no cost to students and are intended to support health and wellness alongside academic life.
Raymond Burr’s Association with McGeorge School of Law
Actor Raymond Burr, best known for his role as fictional defense attorney Perry Mason, was a longtime supporter of McGeorge. His connection with the school began in 1960, when he served as a last-minute commencement speaker and developed a friendship with then-Dean Gordon Schaber. Burr later donated original Perry Mason scripts, which are on display in the law library, as well as rare books and narrated training films. He auctioned works from his personal art collection to help fund the building of the school’s Trial Advocacy Building. Burr regularly participated in school events, such as commencements and fundraising events, and contributed to the visibility and development of the campus. His contributions are reflected in artifacts and facilities that remain part of the law school.
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy’s Association with McGeorge School of Law
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy has had a long-standing association with the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, spanning over five decades. After practicing law in San Francisco and Sacramento and assuming leadership of his father’s law practice, Kennedy joined the McGeorge faculty in 1965 as a professor of law. He taught Constitutional Law and Comparative Free Speech, as well as participating in the school’s Summer Salzburg program, making him the longest-serving faculty member in McGeorge history. Kennedy’s contributions emphasized mentorship, civil discourse, and the development of future legal professionals. In 2021, McGeorge partnered with the Justice Kennedy Learning Center (JKLC) to expand civic education and outreach across Northern California and the Bay Area. Kennedy’s enduring influence is reflected in both the school’s domestic curriculum and its international programs, including the long-running Summer Program on International Legal Studies in Salzburg, Austria.
Journals and publications
- The University of the Pacific Law Review (formerly titled "McGeorge Law Review" and "The Pacific Law Journal"). A student-run, scholarly journal publishing four issues annually. Two issues are published each year containing professional articles and student-authored comments or casenotes; one issue contains the Review of Selected California Legislation, or "Greensheets"; and one issue contains a symposium, focusing on a specific, significant legal topic.
- California Initiative Review. An online analysis of California ballot initiatives and related issues.
- California Water Law Journal. A forum for water law research.
Notable alumni
The McGeorge School of Law alumni network is a strong community with more than 15,000 members, spread across all 50 states and more than 81 countries worldwide.
- Greg Aghazarian ‘93 – California State Assemblyman, 26th District
- Mark Amodei ‘83 – U.S. Congressman from Nevada
- Emily Azevedo ‘19 – competed in bobsled at the 2010 Winter Olympics
- Ronald J. Bath ‘75 – USAF, Director of U.S. Air Force Strategic Planning
- Scott Baugh ‘87 – former California State Assembly Republican Leader, 67th District
- Scott Boras ‘87 – sports agent
- Consuelo María Callahan ‘75 – Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Lloyd Connelly ‘77 – Judge, Sacramento County Superior Court
- Ellen Corbett ‘81 – California State Senator, 10th District
- Christine Craft ‘95 – attorney, radio talk show host, and former television news anchor
- John Doolittle ‘78 – U.S. Congressman 1991–2009
- Morrison C. England Jr. ‘77, ‘83 – Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
- Robert Eglet ‘88 – donated $25 million to the law school.
- Noreen Evans ‘81 – California State Assemblywoman, 7th District
- Dayvid Figler ‘91 – Former Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge, NPR commentator
- Anna Frostic ’07 – Senior Vice President of Programs and Policy for the Humane Society International
- Edward J. Garcia ‘58 – Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
- John M. Gerrard ‘81 – Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court
- James Hardesty ‘75 – Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court
- Thomas Hiltachk ’87 – Former general counsel to the California Republican Party and lead counsel for former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Mikayil Jabbarov ‘98 – Minister of Economy of the Azerbaijan Republic
- Nora Klug ’01 Group General Counsel for Bosch Global in Germany
- Matina Kolokotronis ’89 – Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Sacramento Kings
- Michael A. Lilly ‘74 – Attorney General of Hawaii (1984–1985)
- Bill Lockyer ‘86 – California State Treasurer and former California Attorney General
- Steve Martini ‘74 – attorney and best-selling author of legal thriller novels
- Rich Mosher ’95 – Chief Privacy Officer at Roblox
- Lance H. Olson ’77 – Legal advisor to California Democratic Party since 1982. Founder of Olson Remcho.
- Emmanuel Ortega ’20 – President of the University of Saint Anthony in Iriga City, Philippines
- Deborah Ortiz ‘87 – former California State Senator, 6th District
- Analea Patterson ‘03, California Secretary of Cabinet Affairs
- Tia Boatman Patterson ‘94, policy expert in affordable housing, community development, small business, and economic development.
- Johnnie B. Rawlinson ‘79 – Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Dana Makoto Sabraw ‘85 – Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of California
- Robert J. Sandoval ‘76 – first openly gay judge on Los Angeles County Superior Court
- Andrew Sherman ‘92 – EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
- Liza Stone ’88 is General Counsel at Virgin Hotels.
- Steven D. Strauss ’92 – author, columnist, and lawyer
- Christian Wellisch ‘07 – former professional mixed martial arts combat athlete
- Kim Wilford ‘94 – Chief Legal Counsel for GoFundMe, Inc.
- Ruthe Wynne ‘00 – General Counsel at Jensen Precast.
Present Dean and Dean Emeriti
- Michael T. Colatrella, Jr. 2025 - Present
- Michael Hunter Schwartz, 2017 – 2025
- Francis J. –"Jay" Mootz, 2012–2017
- Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker, 2002–2012
- Gerald Caplan, 1991–2002
- Gordon D. Schaber, 1957–1991
- John Swann, 1946–1957
- Lawrence Dowrety, 1937 – WWII closure
- Gilford Rowland, 1933–1937
- Russell Harris, 1930–1933
- Vern Adrian McGeorge, Founder, 1924–1930
