USD School of Law Student Complaints and Concerns

General Student Complaints and Concerns

The Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs serves as the primary point of contact for students who have complaints or concerns regarding their experience at the law school. Some examples of issues include a potential breach of the Academic Rules, concerns about policy, procedure or practice, or unfair treatment. Depending on the nature of the concern, the Assistant Dean may assist students by directing them to other relevant administrators within and beyond the law school, such as the Office of the Dean, the Office of Ethical Conduct and Restorative Practices, and the Title IX coordinator. 

Contact Assistant Dean Emily Nagisa Keehn to request a meeting or communicate your concerns over email.

Formal Complaints Regarding Compliance with ABA Standards

Any USD law student who believes there is a significant problem that directly implicates the school’s compliance with the ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools should file a complaint with the Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs. 

Students who wish to communicate their concern should do so in writing to the Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs. The complaint should include sufficient detail on the issue for the administration to investigate the matter. The written complaint must describe in detail the behavior, program, process, or other matter complained of, and explain how it implicates the law school's program of legal education and its compliance with a particular ABA Standard. The complaint must identify the ABA Standard(s) at issue. The complaint should state the student’s name and contact information to facilitate investigation and follow up.

Timelines

The administration will provide a written acknowledgment of the complaint within five (5) working days. The student will receive a written update on the investigation within fifteen 15 working days of receipt of the complaint, and periodic updates thereafter if the matter is not yet resolved in full. 

Appeals

The student may submit an appeal to the Dean of the Law School within ten (10) working days of the date of the administration’s final written response to the complaint. Any decision made on appeal by the Dean shall be final. 

Maintaining a Written Record of the Complaint

A record of student complaints submitted during the most recent accreditation period is maintained by the Office of the Dean. These records include the resolution of the complaints.