New U of Calif. Law School May Be on Drawing Board in San Diego

Officials of California Western School of Law and the University of California at San Diego have formed a joint committee in order to explore the possibility of creating a new University of California law school in San Diego.

It would potentially draw on the strengths of both institutions and expand the law, science and technology offerings of both, reports the San Diego Business Journal.

“All the great law schools are associated with universities,” says Cal Western Dean Steven Smith. “For us, it’s a combination of two great schools.”

"We believe the proposal has sufficient merit to explore the possibilities together," Paul Drake of UCSD tells the Daily Transcript (sub. req.). "A UC San Diego School of Law would enhance the research, teaching and public service mission of the university." He is UCSD's senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Smith tells the Business Journal that a detailed proposal could be presented to administrators of both institutions for their approval by late spring.