Centers & Institutes

Institute for Law and Philosophy
The Institute for Law and Philosophy was established at the University of San Diego in the fall of 2000. The fundamental goal of the institute is to unite philosophical issues with jurisprudence. This is accomplished through a variety of programs designed to explore and educate regarding the various philosophical issues that arise from legal doctrines, legal institutions and legal practice. Such programs include roundtable discussions, academic conferences, public lectures and educational programs. The institute selects the leading academics, lawyers, and judges who define the topic at hand, and invites them to engage in discussion that ultimately is later published, discussed and/or edited.

Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism
On August 30, 2006, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia gave a lecture marking the inauguration of the Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism. The center’s mission is to educate the legal academy, the bar and the bench, law students and the public regarding the meaning of various constitutional provisions and to evaluate the methodologies appropriate to ascertain their meaning.

Center for Public Interest Law
Founded in 1980, USD's Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) serves as an academic center of research, learning and advocacy in administrative law; teaches direct lawyering skills in public interest law; represents the interests of the disadvantaged or underrepresented in state regulatory proceedings; and attempts to make the regulatory functions of state government more efficient and visible by serving as a public monitor of state agencies.

Children's Advocacy Institute
The Children's Advocacy Institute (CAI) is an academic, research and advocacy center dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of California's children. Through its academic program, CAI trains law students to be effective child advocates, providing unique clinical opportunities through the Child Advocacy Clinic. Through its research and advocacy component, CAI represents children in the California legislature, in the courts, before administrative agencies and through public education programs. CAI's goal is to ensure that children's interests are effectively represented whenever and wherever government makes policy and budget decisions that affect them.

Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC)
EPIC is a non-profit academic and research center of the University of San Diego School of Law that studies energy policy issues affecting the San Diego region and California. EPIC integrates research and analysis, law school study, and public education, and serves as a source of legal and policy expertise and information in the development of sustainable solutions that meet our future energy needs.

Institute on International & Comparative Law
The USD School of Law, in cooperation with foreign universities, sponsors the Institute on International and Comparative Law. The institute conducts summer law study programs in England, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Russia and Spain. The programs introduce American law students to foreign law and legal institutions, and provide intensive study during four- to five-week sessions. Classes abroad sensitize students to the cultural differences that influence effective international dealing and expose students to the perspectives of foreign experts. All courses are taught in English by institute faculty. Credits can be earned toward degree requirements. Each program has a different focus and is open to any enrolled law student in good standing. Judges, lawyers and students from foreign law schools frequently attend as well.

The Center for Education Policy and Law (CEPAL)
CEPAL is a joint undertaking of the USD School of Law and the School of Leadership and Education Sciences. Established by a grant from the William D. Lynch Foundation in 2007, the center’s mission is to foster better communication and cooperation between educational research, policymaking and practice.