San Jose, California — The future of legal education in Silicon Valley is under scrutiny as a new legislative proposal aims to enhance access to law degrees by allowing San Jose State University to collaborate with the Lincoln Law School of San Jose. This shift comes amidst a broader conversation about the state’s Master Plan for Higher Education, which currently restricts public law schools to the University of California system.
State Senator Dave Cortese, the proposal’s author and a graduate of Lincoln Law School, initially introduced a bill that would facilitate a merger between San Jose State and the private law school. However, the proposal met with resistance from various stakeholders, including the University of California, which pointed to existing law schools within close proximity to San Jose. Critics suggested that a statewide body should assess such proposals to prevent redundancy in legal education offerings.
In light of the pushback, Senate Bill 550 has evolved to enable a joint legal education program rather than a full merger. This pilot initiative would allow San Jose State to offer joint law degrees and undergraduate law-related certificates in conjunction with Lincoln Law, a 106-year-old institution facing its own challenges in enrollment and accreditation. Approval from both the California State University Board of Trustees and Lincoln Law’s board is required for the program to proceed.
Cortese emphasized the importance of creating pathways for students who need to balance work and education, especially individuals from families with limited opportunities for higher education. “San Jose State and other CSUs have a vital role to play in providing access to doctoral degrees,” he stated. The bill’s co-author, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, who has taught at Lincoln Law, echoed this sentiment.
The collaboration between San Jose State and Lincoln Law could influence existing Bay Area law schools. While Lincoln currently has a modest enrollment, private universities like Stanford and Santa Clara operate nearby, alongside two law schools from the UC system. Critics caution that San Jose State’s potential partnership could set a precedent that opens the door for other CSU campuses to offer law degrees, thereby altering the established educational framework in California.
Supporters of the bill argue that it aligns with recent trends toward expanding educational offerings at public institutions. For years, community colleges have gained the authority to confer select bachelor’s degrees despite opposition from the CSU system. Proponents of SB 550, including some students at San Jose State, believe it could dramatically increase access to legal education for lower-income individuals.
Audrey Wei, a criminology student and co-captain of the university’s mock trial team, remarked that creating a pilot program would be a significant opportunity for aspiring lawyers who face financial barriers to education. “Denying access to law seems unfair,” she said, highlighting the pressing need for more affordable legal education options.
Meanwhile, Lincoln Law School presents itself as an affordable choice for working professionals, with tuition at approximately $22,000 annually. The cost is significantly lower compared to tuition at nearby programs, which can exceed $61,000 per year. Accepted students at Lincoln Law have a more limited scope for federal financial aid compared to larger, accredited programs.
The bill comes as Lincoln Law seeks to rebound from a challenging period marked by declining enrollment and accreditation challenges. The school’s bar exam pass rates had dipped below 40%, leading to the loss of accreditation, but recent improvements have allowed Lincoln Law to regain its standing. The institution reported $1.3 million in revenue for the year ending June 2024, with enrollment starting to stabilize.
If passed, SB 550 would require the CSU Board of Trustees to evaluate enrollment trends and legal education needs before approving any pilot program. The proposal stipulates that any collaborating law school maintain California accreditation for a minimum of five years prior to the first cohort’s graduation, allowing Lincoln Law to solidify its program and attract students through San Jose State’s marketing capabilities.
As the discussion continues, it underscores an evolving landscape in California’s approach to higher education. The intersection of public policy and educational access will be decisive as local students like Wei weigh their options for law school.
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