CLPC launches first legal education pilot at Pacific Union College

The California Legal Pathways Collaborative is bringing a 10-week dual credit Introduction to Law course to Pacific Union College with local court and school partners. The pilot opens law mentoring, internships and scholarship resources to both college students and high school juniors and seniors in Napa County.

Why it matters: - The pilot expands legal education access beyond high school and community college programs and into a four-year college setting. - The course gives students early exposure to law-related careers, court operations and mentorship. - High school students in the program will earn college units before entering college.

What happened: - The California Legal Pathways Collaborative announced a partnership with Pacific Union College, the Napa County Superior Court, Pacific Union College Preparatory School and St. Helena High School. - The partners are launching a 10-week Introduction to Law dual credit course for high school and college students in the region. - Napa County Deputy District Attorney Shashawnya Worley will lead the course on the Pacific Union College campus. - Attorneys, judges and other legal professionals will support the class.

The details: - CLPC described the course as a pilot and the first time the group has brought its mentorship, curriculum, internship and scholarship resources to a four-year college. - The program will also include high school juniors and seniors. - Pacific Union College already has a pre-law program and a political studies degree, but had not offered an Introduction to Law course before this pilot. - CLPC said its Law Academy model began with six high school programs in 2010 and has grown to 28 programs across the state. - CLPC founder Ruthe Ashley founded the program and is recognized as the first Filipina and only the second Asian Pacific American woman elected to the State Bar of California Board of Governors. - Ashley also helped establish the Pacific Union College pilot.

Between the lines: - The program is meant to build a direct pipeline for students who may not otherwise see law as an accessible career path. - Pacific Union College leaders see the course as an added boost for pre-law recruiting and college transition support. - Worley said mentorship shaped her own career and that students need more tools to prepare for legal professions. - Napa County Superior Court Executive Officer Bob Fleshman framed the courthouse partnership as a civics education opportunity that shows students how courts function beyond television portrayals. - The curriculum is designed to show that law degrees can lead to careers beyond traditional legal practice.

What's next: - Students will take the 10-week course on campus. - Participants will also have opportunities tied to courthouse visits and exposure to working legal professionals. - CLPC and the California Lawyers Foundation will continue promoting legal pathways through the program. - More information is available at the California Lawyers Foundation.