IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 21, 2024 — The University of California, Irvine School of Law welcomed new J.D., LL.M. and Graduate Tax Program classes, totaling 213 new students from 14 states and 13 countries. UC Irvine Law’s commitment to student success is underscored by a slate of recent accolades. Most recently, the Law School was named No. 5 in the nation for providing the greatest resources for minority students (Princeton Review), and No. 24 in the nation for graduates’ annual earnings net of debt payments four years following law school graduation (Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce). In addition, building on its No. 12 ranking last year for job placement (Reuters), UC Irvine Law was included in Above the Law’s 2024 Top Law School Rankings, which lists “the law schools that put their graduates in the best position to get jobs.”
In addition to welcoming new students, the Law School also announced four new full-time faculty members. These new faculty members bring a wealth of expertise to UC Irvine Law’s renowned faculty, which was recently named No. 22 in the nation for faculty scholarly impact (Sisk et al., 2024 Scholarly Impact Study, Brian Leiter Law School Reports).
“We are excited to kick off this year with our new students and faculty members,” said Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law Austen Parrish. “They will further strengthen UC Irvine School of Law’s innovative, collegial, experiential, and impactful spirit. It is a thrilling time to be here, and our campus is buzzing with energy.”
This fall, UC Irvine Law looks forward to celebrating its Alumni Reunion with the Law School’s classes of 2014 and 2019 on September 14. The Law School is also delighted to celebrate its acclaimed Graduate Tax Program’s fifth anniversary on September 17 — alums, current students, faculty and tax practitioners are welcome to attend the event.
The J.D. Class of 2027
UC Irvine Law began the fall 2024 semester with the 16th class of 174 first-year J.D. students. The class of 2027 is a remarkable group with students of different backgrounds, talents and interests. Notably, 59 percent are students of color, 26 percent first-generation students, and 30 percent identify as a member of the LGBTQIA community. Student ages range from 20 to 45 and hail from 69 undergraduate institutions from around the country. A gifted group of future lawyers, the entering class has a median LSAT score of 167 (approximately in the top 8-9% of test takers in the U.S.) and a median UGPA of 3.81, with many of the class holding undergraduate honors and advanced degrees. Broad in their interests and experiences, the class collectively speaks over 30 different languages.
Collectively, the class includes:
| Students of Color | 59% |
| First Generation | 26% |
| Member of the LGBTQIA Community | 30% |
| Female | 50% |
| Male | 37% |
| Transgender or Gender Diverse | 3% |
| Age Range | 20-45 |
| Average Age | 25 |
| Veterans | 3% |
| Undergraduate Schools Represented | 69 |
| Languages Spoken | 32 |
| California Residents | 84% |
| Out of State Residents | 11% |
| International | 4% |
| Data as of 8/13/2024, based on self-reported responses |
LL.M. Class
This fall, UC Irvine Law welcomes our eighth class of 30 Master of Laws (LL.M.) students. The LL.M. program is a one-year, full-time course of graduate study for lawyers whose first degree in law is from outside of the United States and who wish to become educated about the legal system and practice of law in the United States.
The 2025 LL.M. class brings talented lawyers from around the world to Orange County. This year’s class hails from 12 countries, including Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Turkey, Russia, Venezuela and Wales. The group includes a certified public accountant, an expert in South American indigenous law, the founder of a non-profit that advocates for migrant rights, a former judge advocate, and a labor and employment specialist. Our talented LL.M.s also include three patent law attorneys, three CEOs of start-up companies, and a prosecutor of cyber-crimes.
Graduate Tax Program
The UC Irvine School of Law Graduate Tax Program welcomes its sixth cohort of 9 incoming students. This new class of students includes one UC Irvine Law J.D. alum, two veterans and two international students from Australia and China. In addition, one student is participating in the Graduate Tax Program’s newly launched part-time program. The UC Irvine Law Graduate Tax Program ranks No. 1 on the West Coast among law schools with a graduate tax program and offers an innovative, one-of-a-kind LL.M. curriculum that instills students with both the doctrinal depth and the practical skills needed to practice tax law at the highest levels in the U.S. or abroad.
About the University of California, Irvine School of Law
The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. UC Irvine Law students have completed more than 160,000 hours of pro bono work since 2009. Nearly half of all UC Irvine Law’s J.D. graduates are people of color, and almost a third are first-generation students. At UC Irvine Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UC Irvine Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UC Irvine Law.