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Orientation

Welcome to New Student Orientation at Santa Clara Law

You are about to begin one of the most exciting and transformative experiences of your academic and professional life. Orientation is your first opportunity to step into the world of legal education and begin building the foundation for your future. Whether you’re arriving straight from undergraduate studies or returning to school after time in another field, this moment marks a meaningful transition, and we’re glad you’re here.

At Santa Clara Law, we believe in empowering students to take ownership of their education. Orientation is designed to provide you with the information, opportunities, tools, and introductions you need to begin navigating your path with purpose and confidence.

Build Your Foundation and Take the Lead

Our orientation provides a broad overview of what to expect during your time in law school. You'll meet classmates, faculty, and staff-educators who will be part of your experience over the next few years, and for the rest of your lives. You will begin to understand the academic and professional expectations of the legal field. You’ll learn how the law school spaces operate, where to go when you have questions, and how to engage with resources available to support your journey.

Sessions are mandatory and intentionally designed, not to hand you every answer, but to point you toward the right questions. This is your opportunity to begin thinking critically, asking intentionally, and taking initiative in shaping your legal career.

Tap into Resources and Know When to Use Them

You’ll be introduced to a wide range of services and opportunities: academic advising, career development, wellness support, student organizations, and more. Orientation helps you understand what’s available so you can make informed choices and seek out what you need when you need it.

Explore the Culture and Values of Santa Clara Law

Orientation also gives you the chance to connect with the broader values and mission of our law school. At Santa Clara Law we’re shaped by a Jesuit tradition that emphasizes Competence, Conscience, and Compassion. You'll have the opportunity to reflect on how these values align with your goals and how they inform the culture of our school and profession. This is also a time to begin cultivating a sense of identity and pride in being part of a community committed to thoughtful engagement, justice, and personal growth.

Orientation Is Just the Beginning

You may not walk away from Orientation with every detail of your first year figured out, but that’s okay. Law school is a process of discovery, and Orientation is here to help you take those first steps with purpose. Use this time to connect, to observe, to ask, and to begin forming the habits of kindness, curiosity, discipline, humility, gratitude, attentiveness, integrity, ethics, and professionalism that will serve you throughout your career.

It is our honor to welcome you to the Santa Clara Law community. We’re excited for the journey ahead, and proud to be part of yours.

Attire for Orientation

Please wear business casual for Orientation to help set a professional tone for the day. If you're unsure what that means, the article below offers helpful examples and tips.
 

Orientation Locations

1Ls will check in at the front of Charney Hall for Orientation
Navigate here to Check-In
Check-In

Meet in front of Charney Hall at Panetta Plaza


1Ls will meet in Atrium before Sessions
Navigate here to Orientation Sessions
Orientation Sessions

Sessions and activities will take place inside Charney Hall


1Ls at Mission Gardens for Convocation
Navigate here to Convocation
Convocation

Formal welcome and blessing for our incoming class.


Map of campus with the Main and North Parking Lots highlighted - Map of Main & North Garages Link to file

Parking During Law School Orientation

Complimentary permit parking is available August 11–15 for incoming students. A printable permit will be sent the week before orientation, so please be sure to check your email and display it on your dashboard before arriving.

We recommend parking in the Main Parking Garage or North Garage, both highlighted in green on the map and located near Charney Hall.

Tentative Schedule of Events

Use the dropdown menus below to view the tentative agenda for each day. All sessions will take place at the School of Law. Please check back regularly for updates.

Note to our incoming Flex JD Students: Students in the Flex program are warmly invited to participate in the full week of Orientation alongside full-time students. While only Sunday’s programming is required for Flex students, we encourage you to attend additional sessions if your schedule allows.

Who We Are & Where We Begin

Attire: Business Casual

Time Activity Location
2:15 pm Check-In & Community Connections Panetta Plaza
3:00 pm Opening Welcome: Dean’s Address & Orientation Kickoff Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
3:15 pm Crossing the Threshold: Becoming a Law Student, Forming a Lawyer Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
4:15 pm Dessert Bar & Bubbles Mabie Grand Atrium

 

Tools for Success - Understanding Your Learning Environment & Support Network

Attire: Show your School Spirit! Wear Your Alma Mater or SCU Merch.

Time Activity Location
8:30 am Day 2 Check-in: Orientation Swag Pickup Mabie Grand Atrium
9:00 am Morning Mingle TBD
9:30 am Welcome to Health & Wellness: Navigating Law School with Resilience Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
10:30 am Campus 101: Safety, Access & Tech Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
11:00 am Tools for Academic Success Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
12:10 pm Lunch: Peer Perspectives on Communication & Culture Locatelli Center
1:30 pm Mock Lecture: Preparing for Class Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
2:00 pm Mentor Panel Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
2:00 pm Parents & Partners Roundtable Charney 104
3:00 pm Section Campus Tour TBD
3:30 pm Law-lapalooza Open House Mabie Grand Atrium & Albanese Alcove

 

Preparing for the Journey Ahead

Attire: Business Casual

Time Activity Location
1:00 pm Check-In & Boba Social Mabie Grand Atrium
1:40 pm Themis Advantage Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
2:00 pm Preparing for Class: Reading, Briefing & Content Awareness Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
3:15 pm Break  
3:30 pm Smart Start: Know the Rules, Own the Game Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
4:15 pm Financial Aid & Scholarships Panelli Moot Court Room (102 &103)
5:00 pm Mission Gardens Walk to Convocation Section Leader Walk
5:15 pm Convocation Ceremony Mayer Theatre
6:30 pm Community Celebration Mayer Lawn

 

Ready, Set, Grow!

Attire: Business Casual

Time Activity Description Location
9:00 am Community Circle: Early Morning Section 1 & 3

101 (Lawyers Lab)

    Section 1 & 3

210

    Section 2 & 4

201

    Section 2 & 4

202

10:30 am Tech Check/Access  For Sections 1-4

Mabie Grand Atrium

10:30 am Community Circle: Morning For Section 5 & 7

101 (Lawyers Lab)

    For Section 5 & 7

210

    For Section 6 & 8

201

    For Section 6 & 8

202

12:00 pm Tech Check/Access  For Sections 5-8

Mabie Grand Atrium

12:00 pm Community Circle: Lunch Hour For Section 9 & 11

101 (Lawyers Lab)

    For Section 9 & 11

210

    For Section 10 & 12

201

    For Section 10 & 12

202

1:15 pm Tech Check/Access  For Sections 9-12

Mabie Grand Atrium

FlexJD Orientation Schedule

Attire: Business Casual

Time Activity Notes Location
12:00 PM Check-in & Orientation Swag Pickup   Atrium
12:20 PM Dean's Welcome & Oath Parents and partners are welcome to attend. Charney 103
12:45 PM Lunch & Mentor Advice Panel   Atrium
12:45 PM Parents & Partner Lunch Venue Shift Parents and partners are welcome to attend. Goda Gardens
2:00 PM Ready, Set, Go! CLS Class #1   Charney 101, 202, 210
2:00 PM Parents & Partners Roundtable For Parents & Partners of Law Students Only Charney 106
3:15 PM Building Tour and Campus Highlights   Info Desk
Have Questions About Orientation?
If you have a question not answered on this page, please reach out to us at LawStudentServices@scu.edu.