CONTENTS A Welcome from the Dean
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Driven by Purpose— Defined by Excellence
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Caruso Advantage
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A Community of Purpose
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Our Faculty Lean Into Scholarship, Faith, and Student Service
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At the Forefront of Legal Innovation
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Student Journey
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Alumni 8 Pepperdine Law Prepares You for Your Future
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Location and Global Reach
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Experiential Learning
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Institutes 14 Navigating Your Path Forward
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A WELCOME FROM THE DEAN Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Whether you’re just beginning to explore law schools or narrowing your list, I’m grateful you’ve picked up this viewbook. Law school is about far more than earning a degree. It’s about discovering the kind of lawyer—and the kind of person—you hope to become. At Pepperdine Caruso Law, you’ll be challenged academically, encouraged personally, and surrounded by a community that genuinely wants to see you succeed. What makes this place special is its people. Our faculty are accomplished scholars and practitioners who know their students by name and invest in their growth. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, yet they share a commitment to learning, serving, and supporting one another. Together, they create a community that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply welcoming. As you turn these pages, I hope you’ll get a glimpse of what life at Caruso Law is really like, not just the programs and opportunities, but the people and relationships that make this community unique. I also hope you’ll come visit us. There is no substitute for experiencing Pepperdine in person, meeting our students and faculty, and seeing firsthand what makes this such a remarkable place to study law. We would be honored to welcome you to our community.
PAUL L. CARON Duane and Kelly Roberts Dean Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law
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DRIVEN BY PURPOSE—DEFINED BY EXCELLENCE At Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, we are committed to excellence in legal education, preparing graduates to lead with purpose, serve with integrity, and thrive in a rapidly evolving profession. We are grounded in a tradition that values both academic rigor and character formation. In a close-knit and supportive community, we ignite a lifelong passion for the law and prepare principled leaders for impactful careers that change the world.
I would tell an incoming student that the three years they spend at Pepperdine Caruso Law will be more meaningful and formative than they could ever imagine. EMMA JOY McARTHY (JD ’26)
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TOP 50 LAW SCHOOL
U.S. News & World Report
CARUSO ADVANTAGE A C A D E M I C E X C E L L E N C E, GROUNDED IN PURPOSE We combine world-class legal scholarship with the highest standards of ethics, morality, and free-speech inquiry. Specialized pathways include our nationally acclaimed Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, the Nootbaar Institute on Law, Religion, and Ethics, the Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law, and our global London Program. P R A CT I C E-R E A D Y P R E PA R AT I O N Students gain immediate experience through nine specialized legal clinics—including the Restoration and Justice Clinic and the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic—alongside externship placements, global immersions, and comprehensive mentorship via the Parris Institute for Professional Excellence. I N D I V I D UA L I Z E D AT T E N T I O N AND CAREER OUTCOMES Driven by a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, our renowned faculty and dedicated Career Development Office partner with students from day one. This personal investment empowers graduates to achieve extraordinary job placement rates across nationwide legal markets. A FA I T H-I N F O R M E D C O M M U N I T Y O F B E LO N G I N G Grounded in love, justice, truth, and grace, Caruso Law nurtures the whole person—mentally, physically, and spiritually. We warmly welcome students from all faith backgrounds (or no faith background) to pursue truth relentlessly and forge lifelong connections.
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A COMMUNITY OF PURPOSE Our community is built on mentorship, collaboration, and genuine care for one another. Rooted in our Christian values and faith tradition, faculty invest deeply in their students, classmates celebrate one another’s successes, and a spirit of radical hospitality shapes everyday life on campus. Your professional journey begins with a dedicated mentor. In connection with the Parris Institute Preceptor Program, during your first semester you are paired with a preceptor— practicing attorney or judge who serves as your personal guide. By bridging the classroom and the courtroom, this program provides early entry into an elite network of practitioners committed to your success and illustrates the truth that what makes Caruso Law truly distinctive is its people. The stories that follow offer a glimpse into the experiences and relationships that define our community.
Explore Our Community
View more than 40 student organizations
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Pepperdine gave me the opportunity to not only feel purposeful, but to pursue something that I love and can wake up passionate about every single day. PAUL HIEPLER (JD ’24)
Listen to Paul’s Story
OUR FACULTY LEAN INTO SCHOLARSHIP, FAITH, AND STUDENT SERVICE Legal scholarship is never a solitary pursuit. While our faculty are nationally recognized scholars shaping public policy and legal thought, their highest devotion is to the students they teach, mentor, and serve alongside. A C U LT U R E O F R E L AT I O N A L E X C E L L E N C E f Real Accessibility: Faculty live out an open-door culture—reviewing briefs over coffee on the patio, collaborating on cutting-edge research, and maintaining true drop-in availability. f Holistic Mentorship: Driven by our Christian mission, professors invest deeply in each student’s character, faith, and well-being, frequently welcoming students into their homes for dinners and small groups. f Known, Valued, and Championed: Students are never just a seat in a lecture hall. You are paired with elite legal minds who know you by name, protect your peace during high-stress seasons, and champion your professional growth every step of the way.
FA C U LT Y F E AT U R E
BRITTNEY L ANE KUBISCH (JD ’12) AND MARK KUBISCH
Graduating at the top of their respective law school classes— Brittney as valedictorian of Pepperdine Caruso Law and Mark at the head of his class at Notre Dame—professors Brittney Lane Kubisch and Mark Kubisch bring elite academic credentials, prestigious federal clerkships, and extensive litigation experience to Malibu. Guided by their Catholic faith and shared Christian values, they intentionally chose Caruso Law to combine high-level legal scholarship with authentic, student-centered mentorship.
The Kubisches’ Story
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AT THE FOREFRONT OF LEGAL INNOVATION Tomorrow’s legal landscape demands professionals who navigate emerging technology and evolving industries with strategic vision, moral conviction, and practical expertise. At Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, our curriculum dynamically responds to global shifts, equipping graduates to lead the future of law with integrity and skill.
A I A N D T H E F U T U R E O F L AW Y E R I N G Through Pepperdine AI Readiness (P(AI)R) for Lawyering—recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Innovation: Law Schools Award—we prepare students to harness generative AI responsibly without compromising critical thinking or human-centered advocacy. f The Compass Approach: Built on ethics, accuracy, compassion, and justice to guide responsible technology integration. f Applied AI Credentials: Hands-on workshops, platform mastery, and capstone projects that deliver practical skills demanded by top employers and courts.
AI Training for Lawyers at Pepperdine
T H E M O D E R N A R E N A: E N T E RTA I N M E N T, M E D I A, A N D S P O RT S L AW Capitalizing on our coastal location at the epicenter of Southern California’s media ecosystem, Caruso Law delivers elite training in intellectual property, digital media, NIL issues, and complex sports representation. f Distinguished Faculty Leadership: Guided by professor Victoria Schwartz (director, EMS Law Program) and professor Maureen Weston (NCAA Committee on Infractions member and nationally recognized scholar). f High-Impact Placement: Direct access to industry executives through the Business, Entrepreneurship, and the Law Symposium and externships with powerhouses such as Marvel Studios, Warner Bros., and WME.
Learn More About Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law
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STUDENT JOURNEY Your three years at Pepperdine Caruso Law track a clear path from foundational legal scholar to practice-ready graduate. As you move from 1L coursework to 2L specialization and 3L career entry, our faculty and staff provide consistent, individualized support every step of the way, helping you discern and pursue the unique path God has in store for your life and career. Explore the path of your three-year journey below.
First Year: Build the Foundation Your journey begins with a rigorous introduction to the study of law. Through foundational courses such as contracts, torts, civil procedure, criminal law, property, constitutional structure, and legal research and writing, you will develop the critical thinking, analytical writing, and advocacy skills that form the cornerstone of legal practice. Beyond the classroom, students begin building professional relationships through the Preceptor Program, which pairs each first-year student with an attorney or judge mentor, and gain practical advocacy experience through the First-Year Moot Court Competition.
Second Year: Explore Your Path With a strong legal foundation in place, the second year is an opportunity to customize your legal education and explore areas of interest. Students complete upper-level requirements while choosing from a wide range of electives, clinics, externships, journals, advocacy teams, and certificate programs. Whether representing clients through a clinic, contributing to a student-run journal, or participating in study-abroad opportunities in places such as London and Washington, DC, students begin connecting classroom learning with real-world legal practice.
Third Year: Launch Your Career The final year is designed to help students transition from law school to legal practice with confidence and purpose. Through advanced coursework, leadership opportunities, externships, and specialized seminars, students deepen their knowledge while gaining practical experience in the fields that interest them most. By graduation, Pepperdine Caruso Law students have developed not only the legal knowledge and professional skills necessary to succeed, but also the character and sense of purpose to make a meaningful impact in their communities and professions.
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ALUMNI The reach of a Pepperdine Caruso Law degree extends far beyond our Malibu campus. From corporate boardrooms and elite BigLaw practices to high-stakes sports management and judicial chambers, our graduates leverage this lifelong community to open doors, shape policy, and command leadership positions worldwide.
Alex J. Caruso (JD ’17) Real Estate Transactional Attorney and Co-Chair, Dean’s Council A top-rated rising star in real estate and environmental law at Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP, Caruso advises on major commercial redevelopments across California while actively guiding the next generation of legal talent by co-chairing our Dean’s Council.
Greer Erick Illingworth (JD ’11) Corporate Legal Counsel, Hillstone Restaurant Group and Lieutenant Colonel in US Army Reserves JAG Translating rigorous legal training into dynamic corporate management, Illingworth serves as corporate counsel for Hillstone Restaurant Group, managing complex transactional, regulatory, and litigation strategies for premier nationwide hospitality brands.
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PEPPERDINE LAW PREPARES YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE Professional preparation is an intentional, foundational activity. We believe market readiness requires more than matching a resume to a job; it demands a strategic blueprint that aligns your unique talents and personal values with the realities of modern practice.
100% POSTGRAD PLACEMENT
#1
IN THE NATION
One hundred percent of the Class of 2025 was employed in full-credit jobs or enrolled in advanced-degree programs within 10 months of graduation. Pepperdine is tied with Cornell, SMU, and Texas A&M for the number one ranking for job placement by U.S. News according to ABA employment data.
P R O F E S S I O N A L R E A D I N E S S TO L AU N C H YO U R C A R E E R Through the Career Development Office, Caruso Law delivers a sophisticated, data-driven strategy engineered to transform academic potential into immediate, real-world practice. f Tailored Career Preparation: Individualized counseling, strategic personal branding, and intensive mock interview training tailored to your professional goals. f High-Yield Recruitment Pipelines: Direct access to premier programs, including Early Interview Week and seasonal recruitment vehicles. f Global Legal Reach: Exclusive conduits connecting our talent directly with top-tier BigLaw firms, boutique practices, government entities, and judicial clerkships nationwide.
Read More
T H E B E L L-R I N G I N G T R A D I T I O N At Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, career success is both personal and communal. When students secure postgraduate employment, they are invited to ring the Jobs Bell outside the dean’s suite. Every ring of the bell marks an individual achievement and a celebration—shared with classmates, faculty, and loved ones—of hard work, perseverance, and preparation.
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LOCATION AND GLOBAL REACH M A L I B U A N D LO S A N G E L E S C O N N E CT I O N Consistently ranked among the nation’s most beautiful places to study, our coastal campus features state-of-the-art courtrooms, Pacific Ocean views from the Jerene Appleby Harnish Law Library, an on-site cafe, and full fitness facilities. Located fewer than 30 miles from Downtown Los Angeles—a premier global legal market—Caruso Law connects students to high-impact externships and career opportunities in entertainment, technology, finance, and international trade.
Global and National Immersive Programs WA S H I N G TO N, D C Spend a semester in the nation’s capital embedded in federal agencies, congressional offices, and policy organizations at the intersection of law and governance. AFRICA (S U D R E A U G LO B A L J U S T I C E I N S T I T U T E) Partner with criminal justice initiatives and serve alongside Supreme Courts in Uganda, Rwanda, and Ghana to advance the rule of law and expand access to justice. LO N D O N Study international and comparative law in one of the world’s leading legal and financial centers, gaining direct exposure to British legal institutions and global commerce. SWITZERLAND Study international law at Pepperdine’s historic Château d’Hauteville in Lausanne, combining immersive European coursework with panoramic views of Lake Geneva.
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Hollywood Bowl
Santa Monica Pier 13 MILES
32 MILES
Downtown Los Angeles 29 MILES
Century City
SoFi Stadium 25 MILES
20 MILES
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 25 MILES
National Recreation Trails Getty Villa
6 MILES
10 MILES
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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING The best way to learn the law is to practice it. We provide hands-on learning through clinics, externships, simulations, and nationally recognized advocacy programs. From trial advocacy to moot court, students develop the courtroom skills, persuasive writing, and strategic thinking needed to excel in practice, regularly earning top honors at regional and national competitions PRACTICAL and launching successful TRAINING 2025 careers in litigation, judicial National Jurist and prelaw magazine clerkships, government service, and private practice.
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C L I N I C A L E D U C AT I O N Represent real clients under faculty supervision through: f Disaster Relief Clinic f Faith and Family Mediation Clinic f Hugh and Hazel Darling Foundation Religious Liberty Clinic f Legal Aid Clinic f Low Income Taxpayer Clinic f Ninth Circuit Appellate Advocacy Clinic f Quattrone Wrongful Convictions Appellate Clinic f Restoration and Justice Clinic f Startup Law Clinic EXTERNSHIPS Gain real-world experience through placements with judges, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector employers. LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP AND LEADERSHIP Develop advanced writing, research, and leadership skills through participation in: f Pepperdine Law Review f Dispute Resolution Law Journal f Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship, and the Law S E R V I C E A N D P R O F E S S I O N A L F O R M AT I O N f Pro bono opportunities
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G LO B A L A D V O C A C Y I N A CT I O N From Malibu to Lausanne, Switzerland, Pepperdine Caruso Law students compete alongside the world’s best. In 2026 Tatiana Valente (JD ’26, MDR ’26) and Charlotte Henderson (JD ’26, MDR ’26), advanced to the grand finals of the International Sports Law Arbitration Moot Competition, finishing in a tie for third place among 77 teams representing 30 countries. Guided by professor Maureen Weston, the team showcased the advocacy skills developed through Pepperdine’s nationally recognized competition program. M O OT C O U RT B OA R D A N D T E A M Overseen by professor Jeff Belton, Pepperdine’s appellate advocates hone their written and oral arguments through premier student-run tournaments—including the Armand Arabian Advocacy tournament, the Vincent S. Dalsimer Moot Court Competition, and the Col. John L. and Maria Moriarity First-Year Competition—while competing nationally and internationally on stages like the International Sports Law Arbitration Moot in Lausanne, Switzerland. T R I A L A D V O C A C Y B OA R D A N D T E A M Coordinated by professors Harry Caldwell and Naomi Goodno, Pepperdine’s trial team prepares practice-ready litigators through intensive courtroom simulation and the elite Honors Trial Practice course, regularly advancing in national mock trial tournaments such as the AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition and the Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial Competition.
Pepperdine Caruso Law gave me a community that truly lived out the biblical principle that iron sharpens iron. My professors, mentors, and classmates encouraged me to embrace the uncomfortable moments because that is where real growth happens. R AYMOND DAVISON (JD ’26)
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INSTITUTES Pepperdine Caruso Law’s institutes bring legal education to life. Through research, advocacy, experiential learning, and engagement with practitioners and policymakers, students build on what they learn in the classroom while gaining the practical experience and professional connections that prepare them for successful legal careers.
Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution is internationally recognized for excellence in mediation, negotiation, arbitration, and conflict resolution. Graduates lead in law firms, courts, businesses, nonprofits, and governments around the world. E X PA N D YO U R J D E D U C AT I O N f Certificate in Dispute Resolution f Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)
You receive world-class training from one of the top programs in the country. CHRISTIAN PARHAM (JD ’25, MDR ’25)
Sudreau Global Justice Institute Working alongside chief justices, courts, and legal leaders across Africa, students gain firsthand experience addressing global justice challenges while developing practical legal skills. S T U D E N T O P P O RT U N I T I E S f International judicial internships f Prison Projects in Uganda, Malawi, and other partner countries f Anti-trafficking and international justice initiatives
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Parris Institute for Professional Excellence The Parris Institute helps students develop the professional character, leadership, and ethical judgment that define exceptional lawyers. S I G N AT U R E P R O G R A M S f Introduction to Professional Excellence f Preceptor Program f Distinguished speakers f The Annual Parris Awards: honoring 1L and graduating students who embody exemplary leadership, integrity, and moral character
Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law
Ken Starr Institute for Faith, Law, and Public Service
The Palmer Center equips students with the entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed in today’s evolving legal profession. Students explore the intersection of law, business, innovation, and technology.
The Ken Starr Institute prepares students to serve through faith-informed legal advocacy, public service, and experiential learning. Students work alongside nationally recognized attorneys, judges, and scholars while engaging in litigation, research, and public policy.
AREAS OF FOCUS f Business and Finance f Intellectual Property, Entertainment, and Technology f Real Estate S T U D E N T O P P O RT U N I T I E S f Startup Law Clinic f Palmer Fellowship Program
S I G N AT U R E O P P O RT U N I T I E S f Hugh and Hazel Darling Foundation Religious Liberty Clinic f Quattrone Wrongful Convictions Appellate Clinic f Student fellowships and mentorship
f Business Plan Competition
More About the Ken Starr Institute
Herbert and Elinor Nootbaar Institute on Law, Religion, and Ethics The Nootbaar Institute explores the relationship between law, religion, and ethics through academic programming, experiential learning, and collaboration with nationally recognized scholars and practitioners. O P P O RT U N I T I E S f Faculty research collaborations f Faith and Justice Spring Break Trip
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NAVIGATING YOUR PATH FORWARD A P P L I C AT I O N D E A D L I N E S f Applications Open: September 1 (fall prior to entry year) f Priority Application Deadline: February 1 f Final Application Deadline: April 1
Application Requirements
E X P LO R E O U R J O I N T-D E G R E E P R O G R A M S We offer six joint-degree programs in conjunction with Pepperdine University’s top-ranked graduate schools and the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution.
Joint-Degree Admissions
EXPERIENCE OUR CAMPUS We welcome and encourage prospective students to visit Malibu to see firsthand what sets Pepperdine Caruso Law apart. Our daily campus visits are designed to give you an intimate look at our community:
Schedule a Tour
f Observe a Class: Experience a live first-year law class taught by a member of our distinguished faculty.
Scholarship
Award
Dean’s Excellence Scholarship and Caruso Scholars Award
Automatic consideration
Dean’s Merit Scholarship
Partial to full tuition
Faculty Scholars Award
Full tuition + $10,000 annual stipend*
President’s Scholarship
For active members of Churches of Christ
LS2604901
f Campus Tour: Explore our world-class facilities and discover how our unique coastal location fosters an environment of rigorous focus and collaborative learning.