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Tech Edge J.D.

Study in Silicon Valley. Gain a Competitive Edge. Begin Your Tech Law Career

You have choices for your legal education.
Why choose Santa Clara University School of Law’s Tech Edge J.D.?

This is not an ordinary certificate program. The Tech Edge J.D. is a significant innovation in law school education. It combines legal, business, and technology education with hands-on skills development and individualized mentorship while leveraging the school’s location in Silicon Valley and renowned tech law and intellectual property curriculum. This program reflects the reality of 21st-century lawyering; that to be an effective counselor, a lawyer should understand the business and technology challenges of the client.

The Tech Edge J.D. focuses on providing students with an edge over other law school graduates – specifically, the critical skills desired by employers in technology industries. The first cohort of students in the Tech Edge program was admitted in the Fall semester of 2018.

Program Elements

Even without a background in tech, the support of the Tech Edge J.D. advisors and mentors have helped open up legal opportunities at tech companies in the Silicon Valley. Through the Tech Edge Program, I’ve found my passion in a niche technology sector.

Devika Sagar, J.D. ‘21
Commercial Contracts Negotiator at Intuitive Surgical
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Our Leadership Team

Tech Edge J.D. Leadership Team

Emily Burns Headshot

Assistant Director, Entrepreneurs’ Law Clinic;
Co-Director, Tech Edge J.D.;
Assistant Clinical Professor of Law

Emily Burns

photo of prof laura norris a smiling white woman with brown and grey hair with bangs, she is wearing colorful glasses, a white collared button down shirt and a blue blazer the background is greenery

Associate Dean of Innovation; Clinical Professor of Law; Co-Director, Entrepreneurs' Law Clinic; Co-Director, Tech Edge J.D.

Laura Norris

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Program Manager Tech Edge J.D. Entrepreneurs’ Law Clinic

Marian Williams