Student Support: The Center for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Our Mission

At Golden Gate University School of Law, we believe that diversity is our strength. It is essential to our mission of educating practice-ready lawyers able to effectively serve all communities. We understand that the legal profession is meant to serve and protect our entire society, and we actively include all members of the community regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, culture, educational background, political ideology, work experience, physical ability, and socio-economic status. The inclusion of all groups only enhances the quality of GGU Law's legal education and academic environment.

Our Legacy

GGU Law has a legacy of inclusion: 62% of our students come from racially diverse backgrounds, 64% are women, 11% identify as LGBTQ, and 48% are first-generation college or law school students. GGU Law has a legacy of social justice work: our ELJ clinic received the 2013 Dedication to Diversity and Justice Award, recognizing its achievement on significantly reducing pollution in numerous underrepresented communities living amidst manufacturing and power plants; our VLAC has helped underserved veterans obtain thousands of dollars in benefits and upgrade their discharges to honorable conditions; and our Pro Bono Honors Society completed over 22,000 pro bono hours just last year.

Dean's Advisory Council

Dean Anthony Niedwiecki appointed an advisory council to apply modern approaches in supporting our students from diverse backgrounds. The Council will commission, with the Dean's approval, a strategic blueprint for how GGU Law will maximize its efforts towards diversity and inclusion. In addition, the Council will develop best practices for the recruitment and retention of students from diverse backgrounds, and develop programs to increase feelings of belonging and academic success.

Multicultural Leadership Council

The Multicultural Leadership Council is comprised of diversity student organization leaders and chaired by the Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion. The Council will focus on issues facing students as it relates to diversity and inclusion, and propose potential solutions. The Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Law Student Support will then implement any approved courses of action.

Diversity Student Associations

  1. Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
  2. Black Law Students Association
  3. Jewish Law Students Association
  4. La Raza
  5. Pilipino American Legal Society
  6. Pride Law
  7. Veterans Law Student Association
  8. Women's Law Association
  9. Immigration Coalition
  10. Student Bar Association Diversity Committee

Bay Area Diversity Bar Associations

  1. Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area
  2. Asian American Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association
  3. Asian American Prosecutors Association
  4. Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley
  5. Association of Latino Marin Attorneys
  6. Association of Lawyers with Disabilities
  7. Bay Area Black Prosecutors Association
  8. Black Women Lawyers of Northern California
  9. Boalt Hall Women's Association
  10. California Association of Black Lawyers
  11. California Minority Counsel Program
  12. California Women Lawyers
  13. Charles Houston Bar Association
  14. Chinese American Lawyers of the Bay Area
  15. East Bay Diversity Bar Coalition
  16. East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association
  17. Filipino Bar Association of Northern California
  18. Iranian American Bar Association
  19. Jewish Bar Association of San Francisco
  20. Korean American Bar Association of Northern California
  21. La Raza Lawyers Association of Santa Clara County
  22. Marin County Women Lawyers
  23. National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association
  24. National Native American Bar Association
  25. Queen's Bench Bar Association
  26. San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association
  27. Santa Clara County Black Lawyers Association
  28. South Asian Bar Association of Northern California
  29. Thai American Attorneys of Northern California
  30. Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California
  31. Women Lawyers of Alameda County

Contact Us

If you have any questions about GGU Law's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, please contact Brett Trace, Assistant Director of Diversity & Inclusion at btrace@ggu.edu or 415-442-6505