USD Law Donor Impact Report 2025-2026

2025-26 Academic Year Donor Impact Report

ILLUMINATING OPPORTUNITY. BRIGHTENING FUTURES.

2026 School of Law Commencement

Dear donors, alumni and friends of the University of San Diego School of Law,

Philanthropy is at the heart of what makes the University of San Diego School of Law such a distinctive community. Because of you, our students have the opportunity to pursue a legal education, discover their purpose, and make a positive difference in the world.

Your generosity creates new possibilities, and our law students turn those possibilities into real impact.

During the 2025-26 academic year, your donations made a legal education more accessible through scholarships, opened the world to law students through international study abroad, strengthened their well-being as they prepared for the bar, connected them with meaningful careers, and empowered them to serve the San Diego community and beyond. We hope the pages that follow give you a glimpse of all you have made possible. More importantly, we hope they remind you that behind every number is a student, a mentor, a client, a community, and a future changed for the better. Together, we are developing top-tier legal talent, earning national recognition, and preparing the next generation of accomplished leaders. Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping the USD School of Law remain a place where passionate students can find their voices, strive for justice, and become the Changemakers our world needs.

With gratitude, Debbie Rider Debbie J. Rider ’84 (JD) Assistant Dean Law School Development and Alumni Relations

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Investing in Tomorrow's Legal Leaders Our comprehensive scholarship programs do more than clear financial hurdles for law students. They deliver extraordinary return on investment by attracting and educating top-tier candidates to enrich the USD School of Law’s world-class academic environment.

2025-26 Academic Year JD Recruitment

4,244

244

19-45

Applications Received

Students Enrolled

Student Age Range

24

3.84

163

Average Student Age

Median GPA

Median LSAT Score

#3 Best Return on Investment for Private Law Schools (CA)

Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 2024

Made possible thanks to your generous scholarship support.

First-year law students taking the Oath of Professionalism in 2026.

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Donations Turn Dreams into Reality

“The scholarship I received from the University of San Diego School of Law made it possible for me to pursue my legal education. I had wanted to become a lawyer for a long time, but as a former foster youth, that dream often felt out of reach. USD Law’s support changed my life. I am deeply grateful to USD Law for believing in me as I work toward earning my law degree.“ — Angela R. (Rising 3L) 89% of USD Law students rely on scholarships and are grateful for the generosity of law school donors.

116 Donor-funded scholarships awarded

77% Of law students received donor-funded scholarships in 2025-26

$1.2M+ In private donor scholarships distributed to students

Law Student Organization Success on Campus Student-led organizations empower future lawyers to build lifelong networks, gain practical experience, and drive meaningful community impact. Through student-hosted panels, competitions, and events, these vibrant groups enable students to refine their skills and connect with the broader legal community.

52 Total Law Student Organizations on Campus

300+ Events Hosted by Law Student Organizations

$36,855 Total Funds Raised by Law Student Organizations

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With gratitude to donors who make it possible for student-led organizations like these to grow and thrive.

Business Law Society (BLS) Employment and Labor Law Society (EALLS) Golf Law Society (GLS) Military and Veterans Bar Association (MILBAR) Real Estate and Land Use Society (RELUS) Sports and Entertainment Law Society (SELS) Student Bar Association (SBA) Tax Law Society (TLS) VIS International Commercial Arbitration Moot (VICAM) Women's Law Caucus (WLC)

VICAM students at the 2026 International Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC) London Pre-Moot competition.

Community Impact Through Legal Clinics

Established in 1971 as a volunteer project, the USD Legal Clinics have evolved into a comprehensive network of 13 direct client facing clinics providing free legal services to low income San Diego County residents. The Legal Clinics multiply the impact of theoretical law education by coupling practical legal skills as students represent real clients in real cases. Students working at the Legal Clinics don't just observe impact, they make it.

Elizabeth Bowling ’27 and Gavyn Doty ’24 (JD) in front of the Superior Court of California (County of San Diego) while working in the Eviction Negotiation Program for the Housing Rights Clinic.

Client cases closed in 2025 600

Student interns 145

Of pro bono work donated to San Diego communities $3,371,200

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Global Opportunities and Study Abroad Donors supporting the USD Law Semester Exchange and Summer Study Abroad programs provide law students with opportunities to understand international legal systems, develop intercultural competency, and become adaptable advocates in an increasingly globalized legal field.

Jade Kouretchian Memorial Scholarship for Study Abroad In memory of Jade’s radiant light and purpose-filled life, this new scholarship directly enables talented, deserving law students to travel the world just as she did. Contributions enable students to embrace the same spirit of adventure and curiosity Jade held dear, allowing them to study throughout the world, immerse themselves in new cultures, and develop the courageous, global mindset required of today’s legal advocates.

45% of Jade’s law school classmates

$99,069 Total Raised (as of 8/26/26)

189 Donors Contributed to the Memorial Fund

enthusiastically supported Jade’s memorial scholarship in the 2025-26 academic year.

USD Law partners with nine international law schools for the USD Law Semester Exchange Program.

100% of law students participating in the USD Law semester exchange program received funding. 30 USD Law students participated in the USD Law study abroad programs in 2025-26.

Argentina Denmark Germany Israel Mexico South Korea Spain (Barcelona and Madrid) UK

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Advocacy and Social Justice Impact USD Law’s Public Policy Centers and Institutes are among the nation’s premiere academic, research, and advocacy organizations. The Centers for Public Interest Law make an impact on a national scale protecting consumers, children, and the environment, initiating comprehensive change: Children's Advocacy Institute (CAI) In 2026, CAI drafted and secured the enactment of more first-in-the-nation laws addressing online risks to children than any other organization, and in doing so, played a key role with several bills that are heading to the Governor's desk. $737,031 in total Cy Pres funds donated to the Children’s Advocacy Institute during the 2025-26 academic year, advancing the mission to protect the rights of children. Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) In 2026, EPIC set San Diego on a path to meet California's energy and climate goals, identifying policy actions and conducting analysis for the San Diego Association of Government's first-ever roadmap for cutting emissions across every economic sector. Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) In 2026, CPPC testified before the Medical Board of California and the legislature to oppose and defeat dangerous legislation that would have prevented doctors from facing discipline for misconduct — protecting patient safety.

The Professor Roy L. Brooks Fund for Social Justice – Donors Lean into a Good Cause

In honor of Professor Roy L. Brooks — an unwavering champion of civil rights, human dignity, and the pursuit of justice — USD Law established the Professor Roy L. Brooks Fund for Social Justice . The fund supports visiting scholars, speakers, and faculty who share his bold vision that the rights of all people are not negotiable, but self-evident truths.

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USD Law proudly celebrates Professor Brooks receiving the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association and respectfully honors its meaningful alliance with these San Diego affinity bars and cultural organizations.

Arab American Bar Association of San Diego Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association Girl Scouts San Diego Iranian American Bar Association of San Diego KPBS Festival of Books Lawyers Club of San Diego Legal Aid Society of San Diego Lutie A Lytle Writing Workshop OC School of the Arts Foundation

Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego San Diego County Bar Association San Diego County Bar Foundation San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Tom Homann LGBTQ+ Law Association Women of Color in the Law

$11,500 Total Raised for the Professor Roy L. Brooks Fund for Social Justice

Improving Law Facilities Investing in law school campus facilities to meet the evolving demands of legal education does far more than renovate physical spaces. It revolutionizes how students learn, collaborate, and excel. $12.2M in total funds raised for the Law Building Capital Campaign.

Thank you for your leadership and steadfast commitment to strengthen the foundation of the School of Law! Virginia C. Nelson ’79 (JD) and Mark Andrews Ben ’89 (JD) and Linda Bunn Dennis ’86 (JD) and Margot Doucette Tom ’67 (JD) and Jane Fetter Erin Gibson ’03 (JD) and Sean Cunningham Karen ’89 (JD) and Andy Hewitt Denise Hickey ’94 (JD) Lead Supporters: 7

Bradford Hughes ’06 (JD) Steve Hunsicker ’75 (JD) Michael ’72 (JD) and Terri Kaplan Jack McGrory ’81 (JD) Congresswoman Lynn Schenk ’70 (JD) Jeff Singletary ’04 (JD) Gail White ’88

A Model for Law Student Success

From recognized leadership in student well-being to targeted bar exam funding and mentorship, USD School of Law provides students with the essential resources needed to thrive and succeed throughout law school and pass the bar. Recognizing a program that “truly moves the needle on bar success,” the AccessLex Institute awarded a directed grant to expand the law school’s bar study stipend and mentorship initiative.

Since 2022, a total of 269 students have received bar study study stipends.

USD Law Named a National Leader in Student Well-Being

From Education to Employment: USD Law’s Class of 2026 is Thriving 86.8% 2025 bar passage rate for USD Law students. Thank you to the 65 law firms, agencies and corporations participating in Careers in the Law — sharing valuable career insights by connecting with law students to help them identify meaningful job opportunities. 71 students received Public Service Fellowships. 98% full-time weighted employment rate.

“Thank you very much for all of your help and support while I made the decision to move away from the traditional law route. Your questions, patience, and advising helped me prioritize what I wanted out of a career, and I appreciated connecting with so many alumni. Thank you for helping me find the path that is right for me. I could not have done it without your support.” — Hannah B. (JD) ’26

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Giving Back to Their Alma Mater: Our Law Alumni

Alumni remain the cornerstone of the School of Law’s success. 418 alumni came together on USD Law’s Days of Giving – Torero Tuesday and the Big Give – over the 2025-26 academic year to raise an extraordinary $1,991,789 in support of students and programs.

18,250 total number of School of Law alumni across the United States and internationally.

Alumni Volunteers 373 Members of Advisory Boards 84

Alumni Event Attendees 654 Alumni Donors 794

2025-26 Law Firm Challenge Results

The Law Firm Challenge is designed to strengthen the connection between alumni, law firms, legal departments, and the USD School of Law. Challenge participants strive to achieve 100% alumni giving in their respective organizations, providing critical support to the law school and supporting our students and programs.

In Total Funds Raised $1.9M+ Participating Firms 62 Alumni Participated 950 9

James R. McCormick Jr. of Delphi Law Group, LLP winning an award for dollars raised at the 2025 Law Firm Challenge.

A Lasting Impact: Corporate Sponsorships Generous corporate sponsors of USD Law events and conferences raised $176,578 to support USD School of Law during the 2025-26 academic year across a wide variety of forums, conferences, symposiums, and awards ceremonies.

The Hugh and Hazel Darling Foundation

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Debbie Rider, JD Assistant Dean, Law School Development and Alumni Relations djrider@sandiego.edu (619) 260-4692