IRVINE, Calif. (November 30, 2023) — The University of California, Irvine School of Law (UCI Law) held a recognition ceremony with over 350 attendees in celebration of this year’s Saturday Academy of Law (SAL) students. SAL is an annual community program at UCI Law that provides ninth grade students with a unique opportunity to improve their reading, writing and critical thinking skills while learning more about the legal profession and higher education opportunities. The student awards ceremony brought together parents, students, teachers, judges, and local leaders in a celebration of the program’s success.
Approximately 125 ninth-grade students from more than a dozen high schools across three school districts — Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana — were honored at the event. The collaborative effort of this year’s SAL involved the hard work and dedication of UCI and UCI Law staff, along with five UCI Law students and over 20 undergraduate UCI students who devoted six Saturdays to mentoring and guiding the participants.
SAL organizers expressed gratitude to its community sponsors, including Brown Rudnick LLP; Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo; the Orange County Bar Association’s Charitable Fund; and the Orange County Superior Court, among others. They also recognized the significant contributions of more than 15 judges and 10 attorneys who served as guest speakers, enriching the learning experience for the participants.
The Honorable Yvette Verastegui of the Los Angeles Superior Court delivered a keynote address at the ceremony, commending the spirit of achievement, mentorship and community engagement that defines the Saturday Academy of Law.
About the Saturday Academy of Law
UCI Law is committed to encouraging diversity in the legal profession. In that spirit, UCI Law launched the Saturday Academy of Law (SAL) in 2009 as an opportunity to expose local ninth grade students from diverse backgrounds to the practice of law and help them understand that a career as an attorney is a viable option.
The program’s three participating school districts — Anaheim Union High School District, Garden Grove Unified School District and Santa Ana Unified School District — represent the areas with the greatest need, highest percentages of English language learners and first-generation high school students in Orange County. SAL creates a pipeline of law school candidates who represent the diverse backgrounds and experiences of Orange County residents, with the hope that many will return to their communities to serve underrepresented populations.
More than 1000 students have completed the SAL program since it launched in 2009. Most SAL alumni have enrolled in four-year colleges and universities across the country, including at UCI. Sixty-one percent of students in SAL’s inaugural class immediately enrolled in postsecondary institutions.
Parents, students, UCI Law students and supporters can learn more about this enriching program through SAL’s website or informational brochure.
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. Nearly half of all UCI Law’s J.D. graduates are people of color, and almost a third are first-generation students. At UCI 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 UCI Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, X, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UCI Law.