WESTERN SIERRA
LAW SCHOOL
Catalog
2017
THE LEGAL PROFESSION IS A PROUD HERITAGE
Law is one of the three original professions. Lawyers are individuals who possess particular learning skills and pursue their careers with special standards.
They bear a great deal of special responsibilities entrusted to them by their clients. At the same time they owe loyalties not only to themselves and their families but also to their associates, to their communities and to the administration of justice.
A person trained in the law will find a wide range of areas in which to apply his or her education. Today’s contemporary lawyers practice privately in large cities or in thinly populated rural areas, in large firms or small, offering their counsel to clients of varying social and economic backgrounds. Those who work in public service may prosecute as district attorneys or defend as public defenders. Lawyers advise and represent a wide range of government agencies at the local and federal level. Many attorneys are actively engaged in public service to the poor. Many attorneys serve as public officials in a legislative capacity or hold executive and administrative positions. Nearly all members of the judiciary who interpret the law and apply the law are lawyers. Many lawyers astride of legal practice hold executive and administrative positions in the private sector as managers of various enterprises; some are teachers and researchers. The program of the law school is designed to equip students with the basic knowledge and skills for achievement in many diverse areas.
A legal education involves much more than learning substantive rules of law in different areas. It develops the legal reasoning and legal methods skills of the students. Students gain an appreciation of legal and social institutions as society changes and new institutions come to be, the legally trained must be ready to meet the demands facilitated by these changes. A legal education never ends. It’s an ongoing lifetime process. It’s vigorous and painstaking.
Western Sierra Law School seeks to further the spirit, the ideals, and the ethical standards of what is best in America’s heritage. The law is not just a set of rules that can be self-executed by a working force in the everyday world. As Oliver Wendell Holmes phrased it, “The law, wherein, as in a magic mirror, we see, reflected, but the lives of all men that have ever been!”
Significant changes are currently taking place within the legal profession. The changes relate to the role lawyer’s play in modern society and to the methods now used to prevent and resolve conflicts.
Dean of Students
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Message from the Dean…………………………………. 2
Table of Contents………………………………………... 3
Program, Mission, Purpose and History……………... 4
Facility………...…..…………………………………….... 5
Method of Instruction…………………………………... 5
Disclosure Statements……………………...... …………. 5
General Program Information………………………….. 9
Program and Academic Policies………………………... 11
Grading Policy and Procedures………………………… 12
General Policies………………………………………….. 14
Adding and Dropping Courses…………………………. 15
Students with Disabilities……………………………….. 16
Drug Abuse Prevention Policy………………………….. 18
Program and Description of Classes…………………..... 19
Curriculum………………..……………………………... 23
Academic Calendar…………………………………….... 24
Degree Requirements……………………………………. 25
Admission Requirements & Procedures………………... 26
Categories of Admission…………………………………. 28
Registration………………………………………………. 30
Tuition and Fees………………………………………….. 31
Withdrawal and Tuition Refund Policies…..…………... 32
Campus Life……………………………………………..... 32
Living Accommodations…………………………………. 32
SBA Newsletter………………………………………….... 33
Advising………………………………………………….... 33
Placement…………………………………………………. 33
SBA………………………………………………………... 33
Student Bar/Fraternity/Alumni Associations…………... 33
National Student Organization………………………….. 34
Announcements…………………………………………... 34
PROGRAM
The program of Western Sierra Law School is especially designed to meet the needs of the part-time law student. These students by necessity are required to devote a substantial portion of their time to the support of themselves and their families. A LEGAL EDUCATION has many useful applications outside the practice of law. Many students study law to enhance their current careers, i.e. LEGAL SECRETARIES, PROBATION OFFICERS, INSURANCE AGENTS, REALESTATE PROFESSIONALS, DOCTORS,
DENTISTS and many others attend law school to utilize its many faceted curricula to further goals in existing employment. Like the studies of History, English Literature and other Liberal Arts Disciplines the study of law broadens knowledge to provide a rich background to those desiring knowledge. This lends viability to classroom study. Instructors have been selected for their familiarity with the special problems of part-time students and have prepared their courses especially for them. Small classes assure students the personal attention from faculty and administration that increases the effectiveness of the time they spend in college. Advising service and tutoring are available when requested. Special emphasis is devoted to subjects on the California Bar Examination so that each student is thoroughly prepared to meet the demands of this important examination.
MISSION
The administration, faculty and staff of Western Sierra Law School are committed to provide a superior legal educational program to meet the needs of the part-time law student. In response to society’s demand for quality legal services, the college makes a conscientious effort to provide a superior legal program that is staffed by qualified faculty personnel and further keeping with this ideal the administration is constantly seeking to grow and expand to meet the student’s needs.
PURPOSE
The goal of a legal education at Western Sierra Law School is to prepare graduates, mature men and women, to be skilled and competent members of the profession. Each student develops his or her ability to analyze and to examine all the facets of a problem. They learn to think and function as a lawyer, the basic requisites; to write, and to use a library efficiently in order to become an effective advocate.
HISTORY
Western Sierra Law School was founded in 1979 as a Community based law school. Its purpose is to provide a traditional program of quality in the study of law for individuals whose professional goals require competency in Anglo-American Jurisprudence. The program is designed to accommodate mature established residents who find it necessary to support themselves or family by working days; must commute long distances for similar education; have not been accepted by their school of choice; or find the cost of comparable education unaffordable. Western Sierra has offered its program as an affordable alternative to the current high cost in obtaining a legal education. The school has sought to attain these ends by quality adjunct faculty teaching small classes a comprehensive course of study using the best available materials. This has been done on a part-time basis with students attending two to three evenings each week. The first year core curriculum has been uniquely scheduled whereby students attend two evening classes per week for ten weeks, completing a substantive law portion, followed by an intersession module of two weeks of in-depth subject analysis.
FACILITY
The school’s primary facility is located at 8575 Gibbs Drive, Suite 150, San Diego, California 92123-1747. There is well lighted parking around the complex, with access to and from freeway (15 and 163). The San Diego city transit and trolley serve the area. The classrooms are spacious, air conditioned and well lighted for the maximum comfort of the student. Free parking is provided.
The college, the facility it occupies and the equipment it utilizes fully comply with any and all federal, state, and local ordinances and regulations, including those requirements to fire, safety, building safety, and health codes.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
Instructors lead the discussion of the case material and present supplementary lectures. The discussions are designed to aid the student in understanding the development of the law to its current state, and to pose questions of current interest related to particular problems under study. Students study actual cases selected to illustrate particular problems and the reasons for the solution. The student thus learns to develop their own analytical abilities and to apply abstract principles of law to real life legal problems.
WESTERN SIERRA LAW SCHOOL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT RULE 4.241
1. Western Sierra Law School is not accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California.
2. Western Sierra Law School has not applied for accreditation in the previous five years.
3. The number and passage results of Western Sierra Law School students who have taken the First-Year Law Students’ Examination and General Bar Examination in the past five years is as follows:
In the past five years 61% of all Western Sierra Law School Students who have taken the First-Year Law Students’ Examination (Baby Bar) have passed the exam.
FIRST-YEAR LAW STUDENTS’ EXAMINATION PASSAGE STATISTICS
Data Source: State Bar of California
All Takers First Timers Repeaters
ExamDate / Took / Passed / %
Passed / Took / Passed / %
Passed / Took / Passed / %
Passed
06/16 / 12 / 4 / 33% / 3 / 1 / 33% / 9 / 3 / 33%
10/15 / 12 / 2 / 17% / 0 / 0 / 0% / 12 / 2 / 17%
06/15 / 15 / 3 / 20% / 6 / 2 / 33% / 9 / 1 / 10%
10/14 / 12 / 2 / 17% / 0 / 0 / 0% / 10 / 2 / 20%
06/14 / 17 / 5 / 29% / 8 / 1 / 13% / 9 / 4 / 44%
10/13 / 13 / 2 / 15% / 1 / 0 / 0% / 12 / 2 / 17%
06/13 / 18 / 3 / 17% / 7 / 3 / 29% / 11 / 0 / 0%
10/12 / 14 / 2 / 14% / 3 / 0 / 0% / 11 / 2 / 16%
06/12 / 22 / 6 / 27% / 11 / 3 / 27% / 11 / 3 / 27%
10/11 / 17 / 3 / 17% / 4 / 1 / 25% / 13 / 2 / 15%
06/11 / 21 / 4 / 19% / 12 / 4 / 33% / 9 / 0 / 0%
10/10 / 13 / 5 / 38% / 1 / 1 / 100% / 12 / 4 / 33%
TOTAL / 186 / 41 / 22% / 56 / 16 / 28% / 128 / 27 / 21%
In the past five years 50% of all Western Sierra Law School Students who have taken the California Bar Examination have passed the exam.
GENERAL BAR EXAMINATION PASSAGE STATISTICS
Data Source: State Bar of California
All Takers First Timers Repeaters
ExamDate / Took / Passed / % Passed / Took / Passed / % Passed / Took / Passed / % Passed
02/15 / 10 / 0 / 0% / 2 / 0 / 0% / 7 / 0 / 0%
07/15 / 14 / 0 / 0% / 3 / 0 / 0% / 14 / 0 / 0%
02/15 / 14 / 4 / 29% / 4 / 1 / 25% / 10 / 3 / 30%
07/14 / 15 / 0 / 0% / 5 / 0 / 0% / 10 / 0 / 0%
02/14 / 12 / 2 / 17% / 2 / 1 / 50% / 10 / 1 / 10%
07/13 / 10 / 2 / 20% / 3 / 1 / 33% / 7 / 1 / 14%
02/13 / 9 / 2 / 22% / 2 / 0 / 0% / 7 / 2 / 29%
O7/12 / 11 / 0 / 0% / 2 / 0 / 0% / 9 / 0 / 0%
02/12 / 12 / 0 / 0% / 1 / 0 / 0% / 11 / 0 / 0%
07/11 / 14 / 2 / 14% / 3 / 1 / 33% / 11 / 1 / 9%
02/11 / 14 / 1 / 7% / 2 / 0 / 0% / 12 / 1 / 8%
07/10 / 13 / 1 / 7% / 3 / 1 / 33% / 10 / 0 / 0%
TOTAL / 148 / 14 / 9% / 32 / 5 / 15% / 118 / 9 / 7%
4. The number of legal volumes in the law school’s library is approximately 3000.
5. The educational background, qualifications, and experience of the faculty and the names of any faculty or administrators who are members of the State Bar of California or who are admitted in another jurisdiction is as follows:
STATE
NAME COLLEGE BAR/BENCH ADMITTED
1. Wendy Davisson B.A., San Diego State University
J.D., University of Miami School of Law Bar California
City of San Diego, Office of the City
Attorney, 2007-2010.
Sole Practitioner, Civil and Criminal
Litigation, 2010 to present.
2. Charles F. Goria B.A., University of California at Bar California
Los Angeles
J.D., University of San Diego
Property attorney for over 20 years.
Professor of Trial Skills and Jurisprudence
WSLS 1990 to present.
3. Michael J. Herrin J.D., Western Sierra Law School Bar California
San Diego Deputy City Attorney 2003-present.
Administrative Dean WSLS 2003 to Present
Professor in Legal Writing, Trial Skills and
Jurisprudence at
WSLS 2003 to present.
4. Garrison Klueck B.A., Wayne State University Bar California
J.D., University of San Diego
WSLS 2004-present, Family Law and
Mediation Attorney from 1990 - Present.
Professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Certified Family Law Specialtist.
Community Property, Alternative Dispute
Resolution, Family Law at
WSLS 2004 to present.
5. John O. Meyers B.A.., San Diego State University
J.D., University of San Diego
Retired Trial Lawyer
Professor of Torts, Legal Research at
WSLS 2000 to present.
6. Phillips, Keith W. B.A., California State University, Fullerton Bar California
J.D., Western State University College of Law
Deputy City Attorney,
Professor of Jurisprudence and Contracts at
WSLS 2010 to present.
7. Robert B. Schneider B.A., Wisconsin University Bar Missouri
J.D., Washington University
School of Law
Deputy U.S, Attorney, Administrative Law Judge
Professor of Constitutional Law, Evidence,