SJCL Connect Instructions

Online Program

Online Program

In addition to its successful, traditional in-person program, San Joaquin College of Law is now offering a remote J.D. option.

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Besan Farra

“San Joaquin has offered me the opportunity to pursue a law degree while still being able to maintain a full time job to support my family. Working with several SJCL alum and witnessing their success in the community has inspired me to continue my work locally after graduation.”

Besan Farra
Biochemistry
University of California, Davis

Gurjot Brar

“Having completed my law degree in India, I am glad I chose this law school over other schools because professors are so helpful in preparing me for the bar exam."

Gurjot Brar
Bachelor of Law
Panjab University, India

Online Program

Apply Today

The application deadline for online or in-person program has been extended to July 15. Start law school this Fall 2024 on August 12th.

Start Your Application

Jesica Gonzalez

“I chose SJCL because the students and faculty here are very supportive and are always willing to provide help if needed, which makes the success rate much more achievable."

Jesica Gonzalez
Criminology
California State University, Fresno

Landon Sciacca

“I chose SJCL because of the Alumni networks that open the doors to opportunities for externships and for the numerous jobs available once I graduate.”

Landon Sciacca
Psychology
University of Southern California

Online Program

In addition to its successful, traditional in-person program, San Joaquin College of Law is now offering a remote J.D. option.

Learn More

Jaymie Eaton

“SJCL is home to an invaluable team of faculty and staff fully committed to ensuring our academic success as we enter into the community as advocates of justice. I feel supported, heard, and connected. I wouldn't have wanted a law school experience anywhere else.”

Jaymie Eaton
Art
California State University, Fresno

Jocelyn Stevens

“Injustice is both systemic and a choice, and I choose not to perpetuate the problem. I see the unification of our differences as a necessity. The powerful influence of a law degree at San Joaquin College of Law will equip me to be the voice others need.”

Jocelyn Stevens
Political Science
Azusa Pacific University

Online Program

In addition to its successful, traditional in-person program, San Joaquin College of Law is now offering a remote J.D. option.

Learn More

Diana Malcolm

“As a mother of two young children, it is very important to balance my law school schedule with my personal life. I chose SJCL for the flexible class schedule.”

Diana Malcolm
Bachelor of Law
EW HA Woman's University, Seoul, Korea

James Proctor

“SJCL is very welcoming to Veterans and the admissions staff is very helpful with the application process.”

James Proctor
Business Administration
Fresno City College

Online Program

In addition to its successful, traditional in-person program, San Joaquin College of Law is now offering a remote J.D. option.

Learn More

Gabrielle Grieser

“SJCL offers an environment of excellence that provides ample opportunity to gain experience in a multitude of areas of law.”

Gabrielle Grieser
Criminology
California State University, Fresno

Dusty Nunes

“I am a first generation college student who grew up in a small town. Choosing a law school in a region where the job market for attorneys is promising is the primary reason I chose SJCL for my legal education.”

Dusty Nunes
Political Science
University of California, Merced

Online Program

In addition to its successful, traditional in-person program, San Joaquin College of Law is now offering a remote J.D. option.

Learn More

Ashley Simpson

“As a student advocate for the New American Legal Clinic, SJCL’s on campus clinic, I have gained invaluable experience both in learning immigration law and interacting with actual clients and their families.”

Ashley Simpson
Criminal Justice
Fresno Pacific University

Rosie Palomino

“Higher education has set me free from the cycle of poverty, crime, and family violence. I am no longer imprisoned by the stereotypes and stigmas. I have chosen a different life and created opportunity here at SJCL.”

Rosie Palomino
Criminology
Fresno Pacific University

Apply
Accepting applications for in-person
oronline programs.

Bar Pass Success
The ABA requires that at least 75% of a law school’s graduates pass a bar examination within two years of graduation. While SJCL is not ABA accredited, its graduates have exceeded that ABA standard for the classes of 2020 (80%), 2021 (82%), and 2022 (94%). Note: Statistics for Class of 2023 and 2024 results will be posted once two years of attempts have been completed.

More Info

74%
Percentage of first-generation students in the incoming class of 2024.

Events

Law School 101

June 26, 2025 | 6:00 - 8:00pm

Our free informational monthly law school forum will help prospective students learn about law school, from courses offered to admission requirements.

Learn More

In the News

ABC 30 - Central Valley attorney shortage

ABC’s Channel 30, Corin Hoggard interviews students at SJCL's Career Fair.

Central Valley Today Show Interview

Academic Dean Justin Atkinson and current student Cindy Arrendondo discuss legal career options in the Central Valley.

Serving the Central Valley

Choosing a law school in a region where the job market is promising is a primary reason to attend SJCL. SJCL has produced talented graduates who hold prestigious and influential positions both locally and throughout the State. Located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, SJCL is the only law school in a 100 mile radius.

Learn more about our unique location

Online Program

In addition to its successful, traditional in-person program, San Joaquin College of Law is now offering a remote J.D. option.

READ THE LATEST NEWS FROM SJCL •

The new issue of Inter Alia, our quarterly magazine, has been published. Get a sense of San Joaquin College of Law through its' amazing alumni and students.

See all the back issues here.

Paul Robert Jacobsen

SJCL notes with sadness the passing of Paul Robert Jacobsen (Tax Law ‘92) after a two-year battle with brain cancer, on February 14, 2025, in Boise, Idaho.

Professor Phillip Cherney

It is with great sadness that SJCL announces the passing of Professor Phillip Cherney on January 31, 2025. He was 75. Professor Cherney began teaching Criminal Law at SJCL in 2014. He impressed upon his students his passion for the protection of individual rights, the defense of death row clients, and the pursuit of justice, in conjunction with human compassion.

Meet the Hall of Fame Inductees for 2024

By Diane Skouti Baiza, Alumni Liaison

Most highly accomplished people share traits in common that contribute to their success. They often exhibit multi-faceted talent and smarts, in addition to having reached a pinnacle of academic pursuit. The four newest inductees to the SJCL Hall of Fame share these attributes in spades.

Constitution Day: The Supreme Court is Off the Rails. Are we past the Zone of…

By Logan Tennerelli, Dean of Students

I met my husband, Vince Tennerelli, when we were students at the University of Chicago Law School in 2006. This year, we teamed up on September 19 for SJCL’s 2024 Constitution Day Lecture (Video of the event is below), yielding an in-person audience of 50+ people and an online audience of 20+. (Offering my Fresno City College students extra credit for coming can’t hurt, right?)

Balancing Law School, Family, and Leadership: A Story of Resilience and Inspiration

Balancing family life and her law school dreams with fierce determination, Deyci Nunez Garcia is a testament to resilience and ambition. As a second-year law student at San Joaquin College of Law, Deyci has overcome many obstacles to reach this point and she's setting an inspiring example for first-generation and Latino students.

SJCL Graduates 51st Class

By Logan Tennerelli, Dean of Students

The Class of 2024 was cheered by a crowd of over 1,000 family members and friends as the graduates basked in the spotlight at the Saroyan Theatre in June.

SJCL’s 51st commencement included the heartwarming moments of triumph, inspiration, and gratitude we’ve come to cherish throughout the law school’s history.
Highlights included Dean Atkinson reading the graduates’ biographies in five languages: English, Spanish, Hmong, Punjabi, and Swahili! Many graduates also showed pride in their cultures, identities, and membership in student organizations by donning personalized stoles. One graduate, Jose Ireta, displayed the flag of Mexico as his bio concluded with, “Viva la Mexico!” Members from the SJCL Alumni Association welcomed the graduates to their fold with a gift for each. Dean Tennerelli hooded the graduates, with the exception of Michael Prentice, who was hooded by his father David, a founding partner of Prentice Long, PC.

Unity Bar Honors First-Gen Supporter

By Beth Pitcock, Director of Human Resources & Compliance

Francisco “Javier” Rosas, Director of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion at San Joaquin College of Law was honored with the Unity Bar Award this spring, for his passion and commitment to supporting unity and diversity in the legal community. The award was presented at the Central California Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s Honorable Mikio Uchiyama Annual Scholarship Banquet in May. Speaking in place of Attorney General Ron Bonta who appeared via video due to a sudden trip to Washington D.C., Associate Justice Shama Hakim Mesiwala noted the grit and tenacity that is required to blaze a path as the first in a family or underrepresented group to achieve a college degree and become a successful professional.

Alumna Tiffany Pack Honored as Pro Bono Attorney of the Year

By Diane Skouti Baiza, Alumni Liaison

On her left arm, criminal defense attorney Tiffany Pack (Law ‘18) has a large tattoo of a jellyfish, an original drawing by her daughter. Her right arm - also fully tatted (even her elbows are inked) displays colorful and happy images from Disney movies, symbolizing her love of family and adventure. “My job (criminal defense attorney at Fitzgerald Alvarez & Ciummo) is stressful,” Tiffany says. Rather than spend a fortune for a therapist, she prefers to talk with her tattoo artist. “He listens to me. It’s therapeutic and it makes me feel better.”

Happy International Be Kind to Lawyers Day!

Did you know that today, April 9^th, 2024, is International Be Kind to Lawyers Day? Wedged into the month of April between the 6^th - Sorry Charlie Day (an unofficial holiday acknowledging that rejection is a common part of the human experience that touches us all), and the 11^th – Submarine Day (to honor people who build and work on submarines, which one celebrates by eating a submarine sandwich!), International Be Kind to Lawyers Day is celebrated on the second Tuesday in April, with an aim to dispel the negative associations often ascribed to lawyers.

On the Move...

Have you moved? Changed firms? Opened one of your own? Gottern married? We’d love to hear from you!

Fill out the SJCL Alumni On the Move Form or email Diane at dskouti@sjcl.edu

Yvette Estrada

Yvette Estrada (Law '18) is now an Associate Attorney at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud, & Romo.

Virginia Madrid-Salazar

Virginia Madrid-Salazar (Law '16) is now a Deputy City Attorney II for the City of Fresno. Virginia is part of the litigation team for Labor and Employment.

Tomas Ross

Tomas Ross (Law '13) has been admitted into the American Board of Trial Advocates, San Joaquin Valley Chapter.

Tomas Ross

Tomas Ross (Law '13) has joined the Drake Law Firm in Los Angeles as a Senior Trial Attorney representing catastrophic injury victims throughout California. He will be opening and managing the firm's first Fresno office in 2024.

Stephanie Landeros

Stephanie Landeros (Law '22) is now an associate attorney with White Canepa of Fresno, where she practices Civil Litigation and Medical Malpractice Law.

Sean Quint

Sean Quint (Law '21) has joined the Fresno County District Attorney's Office as a Deputy District Attorney.

Samantha Williamson

Samantha Williamson (Law '21) is now an Associate Attorney at Tipton Legal.

Ryan Heller

Ryan Heller (Law '22) is now a Deputy District Attorney with the Merced County District Attorney's Office.

The SJCL Connect Page is where you get all your accounts. For the security of your info, you will only be allowed to run the connect page once without an account reset. If you have already used the connect page, please call the Help Desk at 559/326-1599 to request your information.

You can get to the SJCL Connect page here: sjcl.edu/connect.

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