General Information

Monterey College of Law’s mission is to provide a quality legal education in a community law school setting with graduates who are dedicated to professional excellence, integrity, and community service.

Monterey College of Law is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California to offer three law degree programs.

The Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)

The Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree is a three-to-four year (90 unit) traditional U.S. graduate law degree program designed for individuals who wish to be licensed as a California attorney.

The LL.M in International Law (LL.M)

The LL.M in International Law (LL.M) degree program is a one-year (24 unit) advanced graduate law degree for individuals who have already completed their first degree in law. It is available for qualified U.S. and International law school graduates who wish to study International law and policy.

The Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.)

The Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) is a two-year (36 unit) graduate degree program for individuals who do wish to study American law, but who do not intend to prepare for the California State Bar Exam.

Monterey College of Law offers serious, highly motivated students the opportunity to seek a career change, re-enter the workforce, or advance their current professional career by obtaining a legal education. Most of the students at Monterey College of Law work while attending law school in the evenings. Courses are taught by practicing lawyers and judges who emphasize training in legal skills and professional responsibility. Professors are knowledgeable in legal theory and practice. Small classes allow students the opportunity to get to know our faculty and to build long-lasting professional networks with their fellow students.

Monterey College of Law – Photo by Nicole Barkis

Through our Mandell Gisnet Center for Conflict Management, the law school provides clinical programs that provide practical training for our students and help meet the needs of the under-served members of our community. We have partnered with the Monterey and Santa Cruz Superior Courts to develop grant-funded mediation programs that are the first of their type in Northern California, including mediation programs for small claims, landlord-tenant, collections, and neighbor disputes.

Monterey College of Law was founded more than forty years ago to serve the communities of the California central coast. We continue to succeed in that mission. Our alumni are community leaders, judges, lawyers and business professionals representing the broad spectrum of individuals, organizations and industries that define the region.

2019-2020

OFFICERS/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Charles McKee, Chair – Attorney, County Counsel, Monterey County
Douglas McKnight, Immediate Past Chair – General Manager (Retired), KAZU Radio
Ian Oglesby, Chair-Elect – Mayor, City of Seaside
Kate Daniels, Secretary – former Chief of Staff, Supervisor Mary Adams
Liza Horvath, Treasurer–President, Monterey Trust Management, Monterey
Seth Pollack, At Large – Professor and Director of Service Learning, CSU Monterey Bay

BOARD EMERITUS

Bill Daniels – Attorney, Private Practice, Monterey
Hon. Ralph Drummond – Deceased
Hon. Richard Silver – Arbitrator and Mediator, JAMS
Michelle Welsh – Attorney, Private Practice, Pacific Grove

ADDITIONAL TRUSTEES

Patricia Andreen – Former Campus Dean at SLOCL-Attorney (Ret.)
Philip Candreva – Senior Lecturer of Budgeting and Public Policy, Naval Post Graduate School
Geoff Cox – Senior Assoc. Dean, Stanford Graduate School of Education
Jeff Jackson – former Sr. VP, Tanimura and Antle
Jeanine Kraybill – Asst. Professor, Pre-Law Advisor, C.S.U., Bakersfield
Andrew Liu – Judge, Monterey County Superior Court
Creighton Mendivil – Executive Director, Senior Citizens Legal Services, Santa Cruz County
Kellie Morgantini – Executive Director, Legal Services for Seniors, Monterey County
Amy Sands – former Provost, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey
Sarah Cavassa, Faculty Rep. MCL – Attorney, Private Practice, Monterey
Teresa Goldner, Faculty Rep. KCCL — Attorney, Private Practice, Bakersfield
Stephen Wagner, Faculty Rep. SLOCL — Attorney, Private Practice, San Luis Obispo