Business Law Programs
Business Law Concentration
Many of our students pursue careers as business lawyers in corporate law firms or in-house positions. “Business law” means overlapping areas of practice that focus on assisting clients with (1) business transactions, (2) entity governance, (3) compliance, or (4) prospective management of legal, litigation, and other risk. Other terms that are frequently used to describe this area of legal practice are transactional or corporate law.
The Business Law Concentration gives students the opportunity to prepare for a career in business law through core classes, relevant electives, and a capstone class. The core courses are Business Associations (the law governing internal management of business entities), Bankruptcy or Secured Transactions (the law governing creditors’ rights), and Securities Regulation (the law governing investment transactions and securities markets). Qualifying electives cover a wide range of topics, including tax, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. As a capstone course, students can choose among designate experiential courses or writing seminars relating to business law.
Experiential Learning: Startup Legal Garage
The Startup Legal Garage is the flagship experiential program of the Institute for Innovation Law and a centerpiece of business law training at UC Law SF.
Students provide free, supervised legal services to early-stage Tech and BioTech startups, gaining hands-on experience while working alongside leading Bay Area law firms. Typical client matters include:
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- Corporate formations and governance
- Capitalization tables and financing support
- Intellectual property strategy and freedom-to-operate analyses
- Foundational contracts and personnel issues
The program’s active classroom model integrates doctrinal instruction with live client representation, exposing students to real-world legal practice early in their law school careers.
Startup Legal Garage partners with prominent incubators and law firms, offering students unparalleled exposure to the startup ecosystem.
Student Life: Business Law Society
The Business Law Society (BLS) connects students interested in corporate and transactional law with academic, professional, and networking opportunities.
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- Programming on business law courses and career paths
- Access to alumni practicing in diverse business law fields
- Information on scholarships, internships, and professional development
- Networking events with practitioners and firms
BLS serves as a hub for students exploring or committed to careers in business law.
Scholarship and Publishing: UC Law Business Journal
The UC Law Business Journal (formerly the Hastings Business Law Journal) is a student-edited scholarly publication featuring work by academics, practitioners, and law students.
The Journal examines domestic and international developments shaping the evolving relationship between law and business. It serves both as a forum for legal scholarship and a practical research resource for the legal community.
Students involved with the Journal gain experience in legal research, writing, and editing while engaging with cutting-edge issues in corporate governance, regulation, taxation, and economic policy.
A Comprehensive Business Law Ecosystem
Together, the Business Law Concentration, Startup Legal Garage, Business Law Society, and UC Law Business Journal create a comprehensive ecosystem for students interested in business law. This integrated approach ensures that graduates leave UC Law San Francisco with:
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- A strong doctrinal foundation
- Practical, client-facing experience
- Professional connections in the Bay Area and beyond
- Opportunities to contribute to legal scholarship
For prospective students seeking a dynamic, practice-oriented business law education in the heart of San Francisco, UC Law SF offers an unmatched platform to launch a successful legal career.