Loyola Marymount University - Loyola Law School, Los Angeles

With its “close proximity to the finest law firms, [the Los Angeles] court system, and non-profit firms and organizations,” Loyola Law School—affiliated with the larger Loyola Marymount University—”has an exceptional reputation amongst the Los Angeles-area law schools, with an amazing bar pass rate, well-connected professors, solid research coming from the school, and a diverse student base.” Citing the school’s “large local presence,” students note that “teaching toward the California bar is important” and “practical orientation” at Loyola Law “toward likely first-year jobs is very strong, particularly in government and litigation.” In general, graduates of Loyola Law practice primarily in Los Angeles, and California, so it can seem like the school enjoys a greater reputation—and alumni network—within the state than it does nationally or internationally. The school “puts great emphasis on developing competent attorneys with many opportunities for practical legal experience,” with one student noting the “Byrne Trial Team and the Civil Litigation Skills Practicum are the highlights of my law school experience.” There are “so many different clinics where students can gain experience in every field from immigration to criminal law to arbitration/mediation to human rights,” and students underscore that these clinics not only offer invaluable practical experience but will “[set] you apart from the crowd when it comes time to apply for jobs and internships.” Students cite opportunities like Loyola’s Project for the Innocent and the school’s Corporate Law concentration as areas that have contributed to their “foundation” as attorneys. One student adds, “My participation in the school’s Law Review has also been incredibly rewarding.”
The professors at Loyola are “amazing” and “extremely accessible,” with students saying that they enjoy being pushed “to think critically and do your best inside the classroom. The high caliber of instruction is a clear reason why Loyola consistently maintains strong bar passage rates.” Loyola Law professors have “extensive real world experience” and “really care about their students and want to see us succeed.” Loyola Law also offers an evening program, which one student describes as “wonderful,” noting that “Loyola values its evening students and accommodates us well,” though others think the school “could improve in [its] incorporation of evening students.”
The administration is a mixed bag, according to most Loyola students, with some describing it as “very attentive and usually responds to student inquiries and concerns very quickly” while others complain that Loyola’s administration is “cutting corners” and “not run well.” The classrooms “were recently updated and have state of the art technology” and the library—”comfortable, open, [with a] well-organized layout, and always clean”—is popular.

Loyola Law’s downtown Los Angeles campus is separate from the parent school hub 15 miles to the west. Students are split on whether the separation creates “isolation” or makes for “a very close and supportive community.” Competition among Loyola students is, according to some, “high”—one student points out that it’s “stronger among the higher-ranked students, but it is not very noticeable to the rest of the students”—though class notes and outlines are shared. It’s nearly unanimous that the food at Loyola Law can use an upgrade in keeping with the school’s hefty tuition: “We only have one cafeteria with limited food options.” When it comes to making connections outside the classroom, “just because people commute doesn’t mean they don’t spend all day on campus, so there are plenty of opportunities to socialize,” notes one student. In addition to Los Angeles’s legal connections, students are quick to point out that “we’re in the heart of the greatest city in the world” and even though the campus is not in the heart of downtown, there’s a school-run shuttle that “is really useful.” Students also praise Loyola’s “diverse students and staff” and “a diverse student base.” In general, with all the opportunities available to them, students say that “there is something for everyone here. There isn’t even time to take advantage of all of the options!”