Diversity in Law School

Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities. Information about these policies can be found in the Policy and Procedure Manual. University of California policies can be found at Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students.

Inquiries regarding the University's student-related nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Director, Student Judicial Affairs, 530.752.1128.

Student Organization Contact Information

Lambda Law Students Association
Phone: 530.752.6717

Faculty Contact Information

Courtney G. Joslin
Professor
Phone: 530.752.0243
E-mail: cgjoslin@ucdavis.edu

Special Interests: family law, sexual orientation, gender identity and the law, employment discrimination

Administrator Contact Information

School of Law Admission Office
Phone: 530.752.6477
E-mail: admissions@law.ucdavis.edu

Course Titles and/or Descriptions

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and the Law

Discussion—3 hours. May satisfy Advanced Writing Requirement with Professor's approval. This course will examine the legal and social regulation of sexual orientation and gender identity. The course will analyze various legal principles, including statutory, constitutional, and public policy doctrines, which might be used to limit the ability of government and other institutions to disadvantage people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We will look at how courts have used these doctrines to help—or to harm—lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in critical aspects of their lives, including employment, schools, family relationships, and parenting.

Domestic Partnership Benefits

Eligible Family Members—Medical, Dental, Vision, and Legal Plans
Family Member—Same-sex domestic partner
Eligibility—Age 18 or older
Must be person of same sex; not related to you; able to enter into a contract; unmarried (neither one of you is legally married); living with you for the past six months with the intent to continue indefinitely; your sole same-sex domestic partner in a relationship of mutual support, caring, and commitment; sharing joint responsibility with you for your common welfare; financially interdependent.

Family Member—Same-sex domestic partner's child
Eligibility—To age 26
Must be unmarried; your same-sex domestic partner's natural or adopted child; living with you; supported by you or your same-sex domestic partner (50%+); claimed as a tax dependent by you or your same-sex domestic partner.

Family Member—Same-sex domestic partner's grandchild
Eligibility—To age 26
Must be unmarried; living with you; supported by you or your same-sex domestic partner (50%+); claimed as a tax dependent by you or your same-sex domestic partner.

Additional Information

UC Davis Law School is fortunate to be located in Northern California, an area well known for its friendliness to members of the LGBT community. The UC Davis campus includes an active LGBT Resource Center and a strong nondiscrimination policy. King Hall's own LGBT student organization, Lambda Law Students Association, is a robust group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied students, faculty, and staff. To promote its mission of community, education, and activism, Lambda sponsors events that raise awareness of LGBT legal issues on campus and in the larger community. Lambda also provides a supportive space for LGBT law students through academic and professional support programs, as well as a variety of social opportunities.

Lambda-sponsored events and activities in past years have included

• the Annual Lambda Law Welcome BBQ for members, friends, allies, and alumni;
• Coming Out Week featuring prominent guest speakers, many of whom are members of the LGBT community;
• the Annual Bill F. Smith Memorial Lecture, honoring a beloved alum—the speaker in 2012 was Judge Vaughn Walker who in 2010 presided over the trial on the constitutionality of California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage known as Proposition 8; the speaker in 2011 was Paul Smith, a prominent supreme court advocate who represented, among others, the petitioners in Lawrence v. Texas;
• the Lambda Legal Clinic—staffed by UC Davis and University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, students—at the Lambda center in Sacramento, providing legal referrals in the LGBT community; and
• social events and mixers, including wine and cheese parties and film viewings.

In addition to actively encouraging student, faculty, and staff participation in local and national LGBT bar association events, the law school works hard to promote diversity in all aspects of law school life, including curriculum design, teaching, and the hiring of openly LGBT faculty and staff. The Law School's Career Services Office includes in its job postings the annual Lavender Law Career Fair and Conference as well as internships targeted to students with an interest in working on issues of sexual orientation and public policy. Unisex restroom facilities are planned for the new addition to the law school building.

In conjunction with the Admissions Office, Lambda hosts shadow days and conducts other outreach activities for prospective King Hall students.

Prospective students who wish to do so are welcome to address their sexual orientation or sexual identity in their personal statement.

The UC Davis Law School admission procedures and criteria include the following statement: There are other factors which bear on the applicant's suitability for the study and practice of law. These will also be considered, and include: Achievements, for oneself or others, despite social, economic, or physical disadvantage, including specific experience of discrimination on the basis of characteristics such as race, ethnicity, immigrant status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and age. Consideration shall be given to individuals who, despite having suffered disadvantage economically or in terms of their social environment, or due to specific experience of discrimination, have nonetheless demonstrated sufficient character and determination in overcoming obstacles to warrant confidence that they can pursue a course of study to successful completion.

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