Welcome to the University of San Diego School of Law, we look forward to meeting you soon! Your first step is to review the 1L Checklist and complete each task by its specified due date to ensure you are fully prepared for your first year of law school. Below, you will find helpful information about Orientation Week and its schedule.
Please feel free to contact the Office for Law Student Affairs if you have any questions.
Save the Date
2026 JD First-Year Orientation: August 13-14 (August 15 for Part-Time Students).
Peer Mentorship Program
The Peer Mentor Program provides incoming students with mentorship support from a returning student. Through our partnership with Mentor Collective we offer highly personalized matches designed to help give students someone they can go to for advice and support. The first year of law school can be one of the most challenging times of a person’s life and having a mentor guide you can be crucial in your success. For more information about the Peer Mentor Program contact lawstudentaffairs@sandiego.edu.
2026 JD First-Year Orientation Schedule
Orientation is designed to set you up for success both academically and personally.
All full-time students are expected to participate in the complete in-person orientation with your peers August 13-14. Part-time students are encouraged to attend all sessions on August 13-14 that work for their schedules, and are expected to attend the dedicated orientation for part-time students on Saturday, August 15.
Please contact the Office for Law Student Affairs at lawstudentaffairs@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-4651 with any questions about orientation. We look forward to meeting you soon!
Thursday, August 13, 2026
- Suggested Attire: Casual
- Bring: Laptop or notetaking materials, if desired; comfortable shoes; refillable water container.
Note: These orientation sessions begins at Warren Hall. Visit the USD Parking website for information about available parking and rules and regulations.
| Start Time | End Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | Check-In & Meet Your New Colleagues Check in, receive a welcome gift from Law Student Affairs (LSA) and your name tag. Store your backpack in your locker to prepare for a campus tour. |
In front of Warren Hall |
| 8:45 a.m. | 9:45 a.m. | Campus Tour Student volunteers will show you around campus and the Legal Research Center. Tours start in front of Warren Hall. Look for the Orientation Volunteer with your Legal Writing & Research section sign. |
In front of Warren Hall |
| 9:45 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | Break and Water | Hahn University Center (UC), Forums A & B |
| 10:00 a.m. | 11:15 a.m. |
Welcome & Cultural Competency Training |
Hahn University Center (UC), Forums A & B |
| 11:15 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | Break and Snacks | Hahn University Center (UC), Forums A & B |
| 11:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. |
Rules of the Road; Wellness (Sections A & B) Strategies for Success (Sections C, D, & E) |
Hahn University Center (UC), Forums A & B |
| 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. |
Student Life Lunch with Affinity Orgs |
Hahn University Center (UC), Forum C |
| 1:30 p.m. | 2:45 p.m. |
Rules of the Road; Wellness (Sections C, D, & E) Strategies for Success (Sections A & B) |
Hahn University Center (UC), Forums A & B |
| 2:45 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. |
Break |
|
| 3:00 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. |
1L Essentials: Intro to the Legal System and Case Law |
Subsections A1 & A2: Warren Hall, Room 131 Subsections B4 & B5: Warren Hall, Room 2A Subsections C7 & C8: Warren Hall, Room 3B Subsections C9 & D12: Warren Hall, Room 3C Subsections D10 & D11: Warren Hall, Room 2B Subsections A3, B6, E13: Warren Hall, Room 3A |
Friday, August 14, 2026
- Suggested Attire: Business (bring your name tag)
- Bring: Laptop or notetaking materials, if desired; comfortable shoes; refillable water container.
Note: These orientation sessions take place in Warren Hall and end in Shiley Theater at Camino Hall. Visit the USD Parking website for information about available parking and rules and regulations.
| Start Time | End Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:15 a.m. |
9:30 a.m. | Check-In Check in to receive a welcome gift from Law Student Affairs (LSA). |
In front of Warren Hall |
| 9:30 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. | Introductory Doctrinal Session Introductory session with a doctrinal faculty member. |
Section A: Warren Hall, Courtroom Sections B & E: Warren Hall, Room 131 Section C: Warren Hall, Room 3B Section D: Warren Hall Room 3A |
| 10:30 a.m. | 10:45 a.m. | Break - Grab & Go Lunch |
|
| 10:45 a.m. | 11:45 a.m. | Student Life Panel Have a burning question about life as a law student at USD? Current students will discuss tips for getting through (and doing well!) 1L year, life and culture at USD Law, and anything else you want to know. |
Section A: Warren Hall, Courtroom Sections B & E: Warren Hall, Room 131 Section C: Warren Hall, Room 3B Section D: Warren Hall Room 3A |
| 11:45 a.m. | 12:50 p.m. | Headshots A professional photographer will be on-site to take individual headshots when you arrive. |
Warren Hall, 2nd floor foyer |
| 12:50 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. | First-Year Group Photo Gather for a photo of the entire incoming class. (Note: This photo will be available for purchase for all first-year students. Participation in the group photo is optional.) |
In front of Warren Hall |
| 1:00 p.m. | 1:15 p.m. | Walk to Shiley Theater | |
| 1:15 p.m. |
2:45 p.m. | Welcome from the Provost & Dean Faculty Model Debate Meet Provost James Antony, Dean Robert A. Schapiro, Vice Dean Robert F. Muth, Senior Administration, and the USD School of Law Faculty. Join us as our esteemed faculty demonstrate the civility in disagreement that is expected of legal professionals. |
Camino Hall, Shiley Theater |
| 2:45 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. | Oath of Professionalism Your legal career starts today with the Oath of Professionalism. |
Camino Hall, Shiley Theater |
| 3:00 p.m. | 4:15 p.m. |
Law Community Reception |
Camino Plaza |
Part-Time Orientation:
Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Suggested Attire: Business
- Bring: Laptop or notetaking materials, if desired; change of clothes and comfortable shoes; refillable water container.
| Start Time | End Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. | Coffee & Pastries Enjoy a pastry and a cup of coffee as you mingle with your new colleagues. |
Warren Hall, 2nd Floor Foyer |
| 9:30 a.m. | 10:45 a.m | Welcome & Wellness Meet Dean Robert A. Schapiro. Hear from Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs, Emily Nagisa Keehn, and learn about ways to manage stress and thrive in your personal and professional life and. |
Warren Hall, Grace Courtroom |
| 10:45 a.m. |
11:00 a.m. | Break | |
| 11:00 a.m. | 12:15 p.m. | Strategies for Success What should you learn in class? What do you do with that information? Find out in this introduction to strategies for success in law school. |
Warren Hall, Grace Courtroom |
| 12:15 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. | Lunch | Warren Hall, South Patio |
| 1:00 p.m. |
2:30 p.m. | 1L Essentials: Intro to the Legal System and Case Law Introductory session with a Legal Writing and Research faculty member. |
Warren Hall, Grace Courtroom |
| 2:30 p.m. | 2:45 p.m. | Break | |
| 2:45 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | Cultural Competency Training and Redlining Case Study Specialized training on cultural competency skills as a core lawyering skill essential for effective legal practice. |
Warren Hall, Grace Courtroom |
| 3:30 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Student Life & Campus Tour Learn about opportunities to get involved at USD Law and take a tour of the law school buildings. |