Peoples College of Law - Abner's wish list

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by Abner, Sep 8, 2012.

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  1. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    I am contemplating this school. It is brick and mortar. I would have to travel in downtown L.A., which could take me at least 1 hr or more from the Suburban area I live/work in. For now, I think I will at least go down and visit to get an idea of the commute. I believe it would be 2-3 times a week in classroom training.

    Website:

    PEOPLES COLLEGE OF LAW  - Home

    From Wikipedia:

    "The current Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, Gilbert Cedillo, California State Senator of the 22nd District in Los Angeles, and Carol Sobel, formerly of the ACLU and currently Ex. VP of the National Lawyers Guild[7] are alumni of PCL.

    Noted AIDS activist Ilka Tanya Payán was also a graduate of PCL, became a lawyer in 1981,[8] practiced immigration law and was a New York City Human Rights Commissioner before her death from AIDS. A small park in New York was named in her honor. "

    I am fully aware of the UA issue, etc. For someone like me, this have a powerful impact on my resume.

    Just thinking out loud,

    I have been a student for a long time now. I guess I am getting antsy.

    Have a good weekend!!

    Abner :smile:
     
  2. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    When they say that the school is "small", they may not be kidding. If you look at the Calbar exam statistics for the First-Year Law Student's Examination, you will see:

    - only 9 first-time takers from PCL in 2011
    - only 8 first-time takers from PCL in 2010

    And those numbers are large compared to the number of PCL grads who actually pass the General Bar exam. I see:

    - 1 successful examinee so far in 2012 (out of 4 first-time + repeat takers; July bar results not yet available)
    - 1 successful examinee in 2011 (out of 12 first-time + repeat takers)
    - 0 successful examinees in 2010 (out of 16first-time + repeat takers)

    Two of the famous PCL alumni cited above (Villaraigosa and Cedillo) have never passed the bar exam, and cannot actually practice law (which may be one of the reasons that they went into politics instead).

    If you want to learn something about the law at relatively low cost, then PCL might be a reasonable choice. If you want to become a practicing attorney, the odds of doing so through PCL may be not be very high.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 9, 2012
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Different credentials excite different target markets. For example, if you're keen on the labor movement, like Abner, PCL is probably an ideal name to have on there.
     
  4. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Exactly. My main focus would be to expand my legal training. Becoming a practicing attorney is not really my goal. Having this schools name on my resume along with the knowledge learned in a up close and personal small classroom size setting would be gold for ME. Mayor Villaroigaso, Senator Gil Cedillos, and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis possess the PCL J.D. credential. They are not practicing attorneys, however, the PCL brand carrys some heavy weight in these types of circles.

    Have a good one Steve and CalDog!

    Abner :smile:
     
  5. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    Are you sure about Secy. Solis? I don't see this anywhere. Maybe she won an honorary degree or other award.
     
  6. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Her official bio at the Dept. of Labor mentions her BA in Political Science from Cal Poly Pomona, and her MPA from USC, but says nothing about a JD from PCL.

    Solis served in the US Congress for several terms, but ultimately vacated the seat when she was appointed Secretary of Labor. Then Gilbert Cedillo -- who did graduate from PCL -- ran for the same seat, but lost in the Democratic primary. But that's the only connection between Solis and PCL that I can find.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 9, 2012
  7. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    You know Brother, something that might fit you, PCL degree or not, could be the National Lawyers Guild.

    The NLG: "Membership in the National Lawyers Guild is open to attorneys, law students, jailhouse lawyers, and legal workers. Legal workers are defined as anyone who has worked in any office, collective or other institution which has as its primary function the provision of administration of legal services, information or education." Wikipedia: "Members now include labor organizers, tribal sovereignty activists, civil liberties advocates, civil rights advocates, environmentalists, G.I. rights counselors, and many other progressive cause advocates involved in some aspect of legal work."

    More: About NLG; Wikipedia: National Lawyers Guild.
     
  8. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Not positive, no. I assumed she did since she had involvements with Antion Villaroigaso and Gil Cedillo. I think someone in the union told me Hilda used to hang out at PCL, but apparently she never took official classes.

    Abner
     
  9. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    That's really cool. I will read it more in depth when I get back from LA. I am going to do a dry run drive to see how long it would take me to get there.

    I will definitely look into the NLG more at length, that would look sweet on my resume as well. Plus, I could make some great contacts by being a member.

    Abner
     
  10. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    PCL is out - I did a dry run test drive into downtown L.A. Drive is WAY TOO grueling!

    There is no physical way I could make the drive into LA (heavy traffic) three nights a week while working 40+ hrs. Oh well.

    Have a good weekend!

    Abner :smile:
     

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