Location: Los Angeles, California
Founded: 1900
Joined AALS: 1907
Dean: Andrew T. Guzman

The University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law is the first law school in Southern California, with a history of nearly 125 years and an AALS member for over 115 years.

Located in Los Angeles, one of the nation’s top legal markets and a hub for significant law and entertainment firms, USC Gould is a private law school with a reputation for academic excellence, interdisciplinary engagement, and world-class faculty. Hallmarks of USC Gould include its diverse and collegial student body, which includes their 223 first-year JD students, its leadership in clinical education, and its supportive and global alum network.

Among the most diverse law schools nationwide, USC Gould recognizes the inherent value of a diverse academic community to students, the professional arena, and society. At all levels of the law school – undergraduate, master’s, and JD programs – USC Gould strives to provide comprehensive resources and programming to support students who represent a multitude of backgrounds, cultures, and countries, as well as first-generation college students. Dean Andrew T. Guzman recognizes “USC Gould is home to a vibrant community of students and scholars who work hard to advance justice and make a meaningful, positive difference in people’s lives. Our faculty experts shape important public discourse, and our students go on to become leaders in thought and action.”

This fall, USC Gould launched the Housing Law and Policy Clinic, which allows students to develop valuable lawyering skills while improving lives and impacting communities. Students address complex housing issues by providing direct legal services to tenants, working alongside Los Angeles-area community groups, and meeting with local leaders. Students participating in the clinic gain a comprehensive understanding of the housing crisis — from institutional injustices to economic factors to ethical considerations.

USC Gould’s Housing Law and Policy Clinic is led by Professor Deepika Sharma, who brings a nationally recognized track record of legal advocacy for housing security and empowering tenants, along with a passion for community lawyering and housing justice.

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