UC Davis School of Law (King Hall)
Description
1. Introduction
The University of California, Davis School of Law, commonly known as King Hall, is a prestigious public law school located in Davis, California. Established in 1965, King Hall is part of the University of California system and enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence, diversity, and service-oriented legal education. The law school emphasizes collaborative community learning, real-world legal skills, and prepares graduates for successful legal careers in public interest, private practice, and international arenas.
2. Important Details & Highlights
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | UC Davis School of Law (King Hall) |
| Location | Davis, California, USA |
| Established | 1965 |
| Type | Public Law School |
| Bar Passage Rate | 93% (2025 1st-time takers) |
| Student Body | Approx. 600+ |
| Faculty | 60+ scholars |
| Known For | Constitutional, environmental & public interest law |
| Campus Features | Interdisciplinary centers, clinics, strong alumni network |
| Diversity | Highly diverse faculty and student community |
| Accreditation | American Bar Association (ABA) |
| Official Website | law.ucdavis.edu |
All details validated from official sources and ranking data.
University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall) Snapshot
Institution Type
The University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall) is one of the world’s leading public research universities and a flagship institution within the University of California system founded in 1965.
American Bar Association Approval
UC Davis School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association.
Institutional Accreditation
UC Davis School of Law is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Memberships
1 : Member of the Association of American Universities (AAU)
2 : Member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS)
Global Ranking
1: QS World University Ranking 2027- Rank 137
2: QS World University Ranking by subject (law)2026- Rank 151-200
Location
Davis, California,
1: Strategic Sacramento Location
2: Proximity to Sacramento, Bay Area & Silicon Valley
3: Availability of major law firms, multinational corporations, federal and state courts, entertainment companies, technology innovators, and public institutions.
Practical Exposure
1: Extensive practical learning opportunities
2: Legal Clinics &Research Centre.
3: Externships
4: Simulation-based training like Lawyering Skills, Policy Labs, Advocacy Programs, Public Service Initiatives to develop professional skills while addressing real-world legal and social challenges.
Legal Research Areas
1: International Law and Policy
2: Business Law and Society
3: Environmental Law & Policy Center
4: Human Rights
5: Critical Race and Nation Studies
6: Labor & Community and more
Employment Reputation
Approximately 96% Class of 2025 employed 10 months after graduation
Student Population
UC Davis School of Law attracts students, legal professionals, academics, judges, policymakers, and researchers from diverse legal systems worldwide.
International Student Community
Its globally connected academic environment welcomes students from India, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Alumni Network
UC Davis School of Law alumni works as
1: U.S. Supreme Court Justices & Federal Judges
2: District Attorney
3: Cabinet Members & Heads of State
4: Business Executives & Partners at Leading Law Firms
5: legal scholars
International Reputation & Academic Standing
UC Davis School of Law enjoys a strong international reputation among employers, law firms, courts, multinational corporations, governmental agencies, public interest organisations, academic institutions, and professional bodies.
Official Sources:
University of California, Davis Official Website
UCDavis School of Law Official Website
American Bar Association (ABA) – Approved Law Schools
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
3. Law Programs & English Language Requirements
UC Davis Law primarily offers graduate law programs (no integrated 5-year B.A./LL.B) as per US law school structure.
| Program / Duration | Degree | Specialization Options | English Requirement (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juris Doctor (J.D.) | 3 Years Full-time | Constitutional Law, Immigration, IP, Environmental, etc. | TOEFL required for applicants from non-English instruction backgrounds (TOEFL waiver conditions apply) |
| Master of Laws (LL.M.) – 10-month | LL.M. | Business Law, Immigration Law, Tax, IP, Environmental Law, Criminal Law & Policy | TOEFL iBT 88 / Paper 570 / IELTS 6.5 (waivers possible) |
| Advanced Two-Year LL.M. | LL.M. | Tailored study or specialization certificates | As per one-year LL.M. |
| Certificate Programs | – | Public Interest, Business Law, etc. • For JD students | N/A |
| Clinical & Experiential Programs | – | Multiple practical clinics | N/A |
Note: U.S. law schools do not offer integrated 5-year LLB programs; degrees are graduate professional programs.
4. Entrance Exam
| Program | Exam |
|---|---|
| J.D. Program | LSAT or GRE (standard requirement for JD admissions) |
| LL.M. Program | No LSAT required (LL.M. admissions focus on prior degree and English proficiency) |
5. Top 5 Reasons to Choose UC Davis School of Law (King Hall)
Reputation & Quality: Nationally ranked law school with strong programs in constitutional, environmental and public interest law.
Diversity & Inclusive Community: Recognized in Princeton Review for resources for women and minority students.
Practical Experience: Extensive clinics, externships, and experiential learning reflecting real legal environments.
Financial Support: Generous financial aid and scholarships aimed at reducing student debt.
Location Advantage: Proximity to Sacramento, Bay Area, and other major legal markets offering rich professional networking.
6. Grade and Ranking
| Ranking Category | Rank / Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. News & World Report (Overall Law)** | 50 (2025) |
| Constitutional Law | Top 20 |
| Most Graduates in Public Interest | 4 |
| Princeton Review (Resources for Women) | 1 |
| Princeton Review (Resources for Minority Students) | 3 |
| Faculty Scholarly Impact (Leiter) | 18 |
Rank data based on most recent ranking publications.
7. Documents Required for Admission
| Document | Required For |
|---|---|
| Completed Application | All programs |
| Official Transcripts | All programs |
| LSAT / GRE Scores | J.D. |
| Personal Statement | J.D. |
| Letters of Recommendation | J.D. |
| Resume / CV | All applicants |
| English Proficiency Scores | International applicants |
| LL.M. Program Essays | LL.M. |
| Financial Documentation | Visa applicants |
| Other Waivers (if applicable) | TOEFL waiver documents |
Note: Requirements vary; always confirm with official admissions office.
8. How to Apply for Admission
| Step No. | Application Steps |
|---|---|
| 1 | Research program & eligibility |
| 2 | Create LSAC Account (for JD/LL.M.) |
| 3 | Prepare required documents |
| 4 | Take LSAT / GRE (for JD) |
| 5 | Submit Application through LSAC / Law School Platform |
| 6 | Submit TOEFL / IELTS if needed |
| 7 | Pay application fee / request fee waiver |
| 8 | Send letters of recommendation |
| 9 | Verify application completion |
| 10 | Await decision & follow up |
Procedure is typical for U.S. law school admissions; specifics may vary each cycle.
9. Contact Details
| Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions – JD | 530-752-6477 | admissions@law.ucdavis.edu |
| Admissions – LL.M. | 530-752-6081 | llm@ucdavis.edu |
| Administration Office | 530-752-0243 | – |
| Law Library | 530-752-3327 | lawlibref@ucdavis.edu |
To explore more law colleges offering similar programmes, visit our Law College Directory for a structured comparison.



























