Diversity in Law School

Nondiscrimination Policy

Santa Clara University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and/or ethnic origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, veteran's status, or age in the administration of any of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, athletics, or employment-related policies, programs, and activities; or other university-administered policies, programs, and activities.

Student Organization Contact Information

• Equality Santa Clara

Contact:

David Holt
Electronic Services Librarian and Part-Time Law Student
Phone: 408.554.5195
E-mail: dholt@scu.edu

Faculty Contact Information

Pat Cain
E-mail: pcain@scu.edu

Michael Flynn
E-mail: mwflynn@scu.edu

Devin Kinyon
E-mail: dkinyon@scu.edu

Ellen Kreitzberg
E-mail: ekreitzberg@scu.edu

Gary Spitko
E-mail: gspitko@scu.edu

Linda Starr
E-mail: lstarr@scu.edu

Administrator Contact Information

David Holt
Electronic Services Librarian and Part-Time Law Student
Phone: 408.554.5195
E-mail: dholt@scu.edu

Course Titles and/or Descriptions

Gender and Law

(Professor Stephanie M. Wildman, course #434)

Examines discrimination and privileges based on sex. Evaluates the legal doctrines, litigation strategies, and theoretical debates that have resulted as women have sought to emerge from the historic status of legal subordination. All women, since women encompass different races, sexual orientation, classes, and cultural backgrounds must be part of this discussion. The subject matter includes the constitutional right to equal protection; sex discrimination in employment and public accommodations; equal access to education; sexual violence, including rape, domestic violence, pornography, and sexual harassment; discrimination and privileges in family law; and reproductive freedom. Public Interest and Social Justice Certificate course.

Sexuality and the Law

(Professor Pat Cain, course #315)

An overview of legal issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity, including employment discrimination; family law issues, including marriage, domestic partnership, child custody, and adoption; school-based issues, including anti-gay peer harassment, gay student clubs, and the rights of transgender students; first amendment issues; and immigration and asylum. In addition to providing an overview of the gay and transgender civil rights movements, the course provides students with a foundation in several basic constitutional doctrines (privacy/substantive due process, equal protection, and the first amendment). The emphasis is on close readings of key cases, as well as on a variety of doctrinal themes, such as the intersection of gender and sexual orientation-based discrimination, the use of social science research in litigation, and the role of morality in law. Public Interest and Social Justice Certificate course.

Domestic Partnership Benefits

No details provided.

Additional Information

Santa Clara Law is an inclusive academic environment that deeply values all members of our campus community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression and identity. As an institution committed to social justice, Santa Clara Law understands the unique needs of the LGBTIQ community and extensively works to integrate LGBTIQ students into the intellectual life of the campus. We have a number of openly LGBTIQ faculty members who have long histories working on behalf of LGBTIQ clients and organizations. For example, BALIF, the Bay Area's LGBTIQ bar association, was founded by local activists, a few of whom are now working as professors at Santa Clara Law. Our LGBTIQ student organization, EQ|SCU, works on behalf of LGBTIQ law students and organizes social, educational, and activism events on campus that are geared towards our communities.

As we recognize progress still needs to be made, Santa Clara Law continues to strive towards a more open, inclusive, and diverse campus community that fully integrates all students. We are working towards making our campus more welcoming to transgender and intersex law students and provide services to students undergoing gender transition that include personal counseling and social support. While we do not currently have unisex facilities, we are planning a remodel of our campus facilities, and this issue is being carefully considered.

As our campus is located in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, students at Santa Clara have an unparalleled opportunity to both network with a large LGBTIQ community and also find professional opportunities in some of the country's largest LGBTIQ advocacy law firms and activist organizations. The headquarters of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Lambda Legal are located in our area, as are a number of law firms which provide specialized legal services to LGBTIQ clients. Students at Santa Clara truly find a community that is committed to social justice and inclusion with a long history working towards LGBTIQ rights.

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