Juris Education interviewed Joseph Lindsay, the Interim Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of California Berkeley School of Law for an exclusive look at what sets the school apart.
What makes UC Berkeley Law stand out from the competition?
UC Berkeley Law is unmatched in our combination of comprehensive excellence, vibrant and warm community, and public mission - the law school of choice for the next generation of lawyers and leaders who want to have an impact, hands-on learning, and a deep commitment to public service—all within one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.
You don’t have to wait until your second year to make a difference. Our 40+ Student-Initiated Projects let you dig into legal work in your first year. You can also join 12 of our 13 journals during your first year or try out for one of our advocacy competition teams. Nationally, first-year law students have few opportunities to engage in client-facing work in a clinic setting, but at UC Berkeley Law there are opportunities that introduce first-year students to social justice practice through the teaching and practice expertise of clinical faculty. From the very beginning, students are immersed in a rigorous and collaborative academic environment that fuels critical thinking and encourages bold legal imagination. With more than 14 clinics—including the Death Penalty Clinic, the Environmental Law Clinic, and the Human Rights Clinic—students gain direct experience on high-impact cases long before they graduate. The Pro Bono Program further amplifies this commitment to service, connecting students with more than 40 student-led projects focused on pressing issues like immigration, housing, and criminal justice reform.
Leadership development is central to the UC Berkeley Law experience. Students manage over 80 organizations, edit leading journals like the California Law Review, and launch pro bono initiatives that reach far beyond the classroom—all within a uniquely supportive, non-competitive culture that values collaboration and community. UC Berkeley Law’s non-traditional grading system means students are focused on doing their best work, not doing better than their classmates.
Another thing that sets UC Berkeley Law apart is its interdisciplinary approach. As part of one of the top public research universities in the world, students have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge work across technology, environmental science, business, public policy, and more—gaining the insight and flexibility to lead in any legal sector or career path they choose.
Which qualities can students build during their time at UC Berkeley Law?
Students at UC Berkeley Law graduate with more than a law degree—they leave with the tools and mindset to make an enduring impact.
Through rigorous academic training and immersive legal practice, students develop sharp analytical skills and the ability to navigate complex legal systems with clarity and precision. They hone their written and oral advocacy through moot court, legal writing courses, and real-world client representation. Leadership comes to life in the roles they take on running journals, leading student groups, and managing service projects that drive real change.
Equally important is the strong ethical foundation students build as they confront real legal and moral dilemmas in their coursework and clinic work. A deep sense of empathy and cultural fluency is fostered by a diverse, inclusive community and a strong focus on social justice. Students emerge from UC Berkeley Law with the ability to serve clients from all backgrounds with respect, understanding, and integrity.
They also gain practical, hands-on experience through clinics, externships, and simulations that mirror the realities of legal practice—from client advocacy to strategic case management. And because legal challenges rarely exist in isolation, students benefit from interdisciplinary exposure that allows them to think creatively and solve problems across fields like technology, business, health, and public policy.
At UC Berkeley Law, students build the knowledge, judgment, and leadership to shape the future of law—and the world.
