# University of California College of the Law, San Francisco

> law school in San Francisco

**Wikidata**: [Q3577853](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3577853)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_California_College_of_the_Law,_San_Francisco)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/university-of-california-college-of-the-law-san-francisco

## Summary  
The University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) is a prestigious public law school located in San Francisco, California. Established in 1878, it is one of the oldest law schools in the western United States and part of the University of California system. The school was renamed in January 2023 following the decision to discontinue use of the Hastings name.

## Key Facts  
- Founded in **1878** as Hastings College of the Law.  
- Renamed to **University of California College of the Law, San Francisco** on **January 1, 2023**.  
- Located at **200 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102-4978**, United States.  
- Part of the **University of California** system.  
- Formerly named after **Serranus Clinton Hastings** until **December 31, 2022**.  
- Employs approximately **348 staff members** (as of September 2020).  
- Enrolls around **1,026 students** (as of September 2020).  
- Operates under a **semester-based academic calendar**.  
- Classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a **special focus four-year: law schools** and **exclusively graduate/professional institution**.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco?  
A: It is a public law school in San Francisco and part of the University of California system. Originally founded in 1878 as Hastings College of the Law, it was renamed in 2023 to reflect its geographic identity within the UC system.

### Q: Where is the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco located?  
A: The school is located in downtown San Francisco at 200 McAllister Street, California, with geographic coordinates 37.780555555556° N, -122.41527777778° W.

### Q: Why was the name changed from Hastings to UC Law SF?  
A: The name was changed because the school’s former namesake, Serranus Clinton Hastings, was found to have engaged in actions inconsistent with the values of the institution. The legal process concluded in 2023, allowing the official renaming to take effect.

### Q: Is University of California College of the Law, San Francisco accredited?  
A: Yes, it is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and recognized as a postbaccalaureate law school by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

### Q: How many students attend the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco?  
A: As of fall 2020, the school had approximately **1,026 enrolled students**, all pursuing graduate-level legal education.

## Why It Matters  
The University of California College of the Law, San Francisco plays a critical role in shaping legal professionals and advancing justice through rigorous education, research, and community engagement. As one of the pioneering law schools in the American West, it has contributed significantly to the development of legal thought and practice in California and beyond. Its transition from Hastings College of the Law to UC Law SF reflects broader societal shifts toward inclusivity and historical accountability. The institution continues to influence policy, civil rights, and jurisprudence through its faculty, alumni network, and scholarly output. By maintaining high standards in legal education and fostering innovation in teaching methods, UC Law SF remains a vital contributor to the evolving landscape of American legal academia.

## Notable For  
- Being among the **oldest law schools in the western United States**, established in **1878**.  
- Undergoing a historic **name change in 2023** due to ethical concerns regarding its founder.  
- Holding multiple institutional classifications including **special focus law school** and **graduate-only institution**.  
- Hosting a diverse student body and strong alumni presence in legal, judicial, and public service sectors.  
- Maintaining robust digital outreach with over **11,000 Twitter followers** and more than **436,000 YouTube video views** as of late 2025.

## Body  

### History and Renaming  
The University of California College of the Law, San Francisco was originally founded in **1878** as **Hastings College of the Law**, making it one of the earliest law schools west of the Mississippi River. In **2022**, the institution decided to remove the name “Hastings” due to revelations concerning unethical behavior by its namesake, Serranus Clinton Hastings. Legal proceedings culminated in early **2023**, enabling the formal adoption of the new name—**University of California College of the Law, San Francisco**—on **January 1, 2023**.

### Institutional Identity  
As part of the **University of California system**, UC Law SF operates independently but maintains alignment with UC-wide policies and mission. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as both a **special focus four-year: law schools** and an **exclusively graduate/professional institution**, emphasizing advanced legal training rather than undergraduate programs. The school offers Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LL.M.), and joint degree options.

### Location and Facilities  
Located in the heart of **San Francisco**, the campus resides at **200 McAllister Street**, ZIP code **94102-4978**. The building features modern classrooms, libraries, and collaborative spaces designed for professional legal education. Coordinates place the site at **latitude 37.780555555556** and **longitude -122.41527777778**.

### Academic Structure  
UC Law SF follows a **semester-based academic calendar**, aligning with most U.S. higher education institutions. With approximately **1,026 students** and **348 employees** as of **September 2020**, the school supports a focused learning environment tailored to aspiring lawyers and legal scholars.

### Digital Presence and Outreach  
The school maintains active profiles across major platforms:
- **Twitter/X**: [@UCHastingsLaw](https://twitter.com/UCHastingsLaw), verified with over **11,000 followers** as of February 2023.
- **Instagram**: [@uchastingslaw](https://instagram.com/uchastingslaw)
- **Facebook**: [uchastings](https://facebook.com/uchastings)
- **YouTube Channel ID**: [UC5M9V0PlPqfNqQxhVwXVcaA](https://youtube.com/channel/UC5M9V0PlPqfNqQxhVwXVcaA), with cumulative view counts exceeding **436,000** as of December 2025.

Official communications are conducted primarily in English via the main website: [https://uclawsf.edu](https://uclawsf.edu).

### Alumni and Impact  
Graduates of UC Law SF hold prominent positions in courts, government agencies, nonprofits, and private firms throughout California and nationally. The institution also contributes to legal scholarship through publications and hosts various symposia addressing contemporary legal issues.

### Accreditation and Recognition  
Accredited by the **American Bar Association**, UC Law SF meets rigorous standards for legal education. It is also listed in key databases such as:
- **Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)**: Institution ID **110398**
- **Library of Congress Authorities**: Authority IDs include **n83028891** and **no2024014219**

These designations affirm its legitimacy and standing in U.S. higher education and legal circles.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. [Former 'Hastings' law school loses appeal to block suit over name change. 2023](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/former-hastings-law-school-loses-appeal-block-suit-over-name-change-2023-06-06/)
3. [UC Hastings is now UC Law SF - UC Law San Francisco (Formerly UC Hastings)](https://www.uchastings.edu/new-name/)
4. GRID Release 2017-01-10
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](http://www.uchastings.edu)
8. Google Knowledge Graph
9. GRID Release 2015-12-14
10. GRID Release 2016-12-06
11. BabelNet
12. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
13. Quora
14. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
15. YouTube API
16. [Source](https://orcid.org/signin)
17. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
18. National Center for Education Statistics