Our Diverse Community

We are proud to be one of the top 10 most diverse law schools in the country. When students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the study of law, it enhances the educational experience for everyone.

You will share your law school experience with students from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, and you will be taught by a diverse and talented group of faculty members who are committed to an inclusive learning experience.

We encourage you to explore the many programs we offer that encourage and support diversity.

"Santa Clara is a great place to study law for someone who identifies as LGBTQ. As an openly gay man, I’ve found my fellow students to be friendly, open-minded, inclusive, accepting and affirming. Especially around some of the more academically stressful times during law school, it’s good to know that I can have the same social experiences as my peers and that my sexual orientation isn’t an issue. The administration is very supportive of LGBTQ students and activities. As part of the LGBTQ law student group, I’ve had the chance to meet and talk with openly LGBTQ attorneys about their experiences in the professional legal world. Santa Clara also has two financial grants set aside for law students to study LGBTQ legal issues for a summer. The faculty is also committed to LGBTQ equality and civil rights, and I’ve never felt anything less than full respect and equality from any of my professors. There are seven openly LGBTQ professors, and two LGBTQ couples. Also, Santa Clara is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, which definitely lives up to its reputation as an LGBTQ mecca. It’s great to be able to hang out in LGBTQ neighborhoods like the Castro and Haight districts in San Francisco and Berkeley in the East Bay (sometimes even without my casebooks and laptop!) All in all, I’m extremely satisfied with my decision to come to Santa Clara for law school—it’s a great place to study law!” - Michael Hellman, Class of 2010