Raymond W. Yu (JD 07)
Associate, Paul Hastings LLP
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The Honors Lawyering Program takes a unique approach to legal education, integrating the theory, skills, and values learned in the classroom with actual work in the legal community - a modern version of the traditional apprenticeship.
HLP students attend a regular first-year curriculum, participate in an intensive skills-focused summer session, and work at a full-time fall apprenticeship in a variety of practice areas and settings. In the spring, students return to full-time classes with a new appreciation for the application of law to practice. After that, students complete a second apprenticeship and have the option to enroll in additional, practice-based courses.
Honors courses meet in small sections that integrate lawyering skills training with the substantive law curriculum. By the third week, students begin representing real clients under the guidance and supervision of the professors, who are themselves practicing attorneys. Students may apprentice in private law firms, companies, courts, government agencies, and public interest organizations.
Students in HLP complete law school in three years, pay the same tuition, and take the same required courses as students in the regular JD program. For more information about the program, please read the FAQ below and the HLP chapter in the Student Handbook.
Honors Lawyering Program
536 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-369-5358
Fax: 415-543-6680
E-mail: lcisneros@ggu.edu
Phone: 415-442-6642
E-mail: mguerrant@ggu.edu
HLP admits high achievers who work hard, understand the law, and know how to put it into practice with real legal matters. By the time they start their first apprenticeships, these exceptional students have completed half of law school and have represented at least one client. In undertaking these matters, HLP students often resolve their cases by drafting demand letters and negotiating with opposing counsel, but sometimes they must also draft and file complaints and then argue the merits in court. They are ready to get to work for you.
Students may apply to HLP as part of the regular JD application process by checking the Honors Lawyering Program box on their admissions application. Students applying in this manner will be notified by the Admissions Office regarding the results of their applications.
First-year students may also apply to join HLP at the beginning of the spring semester, after their fall semester grades have been recorded. This is the only opportunity to transfer into HLP. Details regarding the spring admission process are available each January in Law School News; an information session will be held in January during which prospective applicants can learn more about the program from HLP faculty, staff, and upper-division students. Students interested in applying are also encouraged to meet with the HLP administrative director to inquire about the transfer process. The HLP Committee considers a variety of factors in the spring admission process, including students' demonstrated success in law school, professionalism, collegiality, volunteerism, high ethical standards, academic enthusiasm, and ability to perform successfully in a professional setting. The Committee evaluates each applicant's School of Law admissions materials, as well as fall semester grades, a recommendation from a School of Law professor, and a personal essay. The number of spring admittees to the program will depend upon the number of students already enrolled in the program and the quality of the applications. All eligible students are encouraged to apply, regardless of whether or not they applied to HLP as part of the law school admissions process.
You can also drop off your application at the Law Career Development Office in Suite 2333.
Part-time students are not eligible for enrollment in HLP.
Students enrolled in the JD/MBA program are eligible for enrollment in HLP and should consult with the Director of Law Student Support regarding their schedules.
As an HLP student, you work full-time in a professional apprenticeship during the fall semester of your second year. The second apprenticeship may be either full-time or part-time, depending on your course of study. You obtain the type of real-world experience that future employers value.
Law Career Development staff members assist you in your search for apprenticeships that fit your professional goals. Employers compensate students in accordance with their ability to pay.
No. You benefit from the professional apprenticeships whether you use them to explore different areas of law or you have already chosen a field of practice.