Chapman University Fowler School of Law

09/03/2026

From the start of their 1L year, Fowler School of Law students are encouraged to build connections, seek support, and begin shaping their legal careers. Yesterday, the Center for Student Engagement (CSE)—Academic Achievement, Career Services and Student Affairs—hosted an open house to welcome students, introduce them to the team and share the many ways the CSE supports students throughout their law school journey.

The CSE brings together a knowledgeable and student-centered team focused on academic success, career exploration, professional development, wellness, and community engagement. Together, the CSE provides guidance, connection, and support from students’ first year through graduation and beyond.

08/26/2026

Currently ranked 27th in the nation for Trial Advocacy by U.S. News & World Report, Fowler School of Law’s 2027 competition teams gathered over a pizza lunch yesterday for the annual Competitions Team introductory briefing by director Professor John Bishop, and enthusiastic and encouraging remarks from newly appointed Fowler School of Law Dean Antony Page.

Keen to improve on the school’s excellent rankings, Chapman’s Moot Court, Mock Trial and Alternate Dispute Resolution teams watched as Professor Bishop led them through his expectations of team members, what they should expect of their teammates and of themselves this year and, Bishop’s own “Pyramid of Success” explanation – the secret sauce behind much of Chapman’s recent success in regional and national student advocacy competitions.

We can’t wait to see these FSOL competition students in action this year. Go Panthers!

08/24/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

Circle October 1 on your calendar for a special screening of James Vanderbilt’s “Nuremberg,” starring Oscar Winners Russell Crowe and Rami Malek.

On the 80th anniversary of the judgment at Nuremberg, Chapman’s Fowler School of Law, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education are hosting a special screening of this exceptional film–a gripping retelling of the 1946 Nuremberg trials.

Join us on October 1, from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. for this special screening with a Q&A session with writer/director James Vanderbilt to follow.

Attendance is free, but booking is essential.

Booking Opens Soon!

08/17/2026

And just like that, we’re launched! Welcome, Fowler School of Law Class of 2029!

1L orientation got off to a fantastic start last week with our best-ever admitted class joining us early on Wednesday morning to kick off a bustling orientation process.

Fowler School of Law Class of 2029 is a truly dynamic group of 159 students, representing 61 undergraduate institutions, and 49 majors, from seven states and three foreign countries, including Canada, China and Mexico, speaking eight languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, Pashto, Romanian, Spanish, Urdu and Vietnamese! And they’re not just loquacious–this incredibly talented group boasts an impressive median LSAT of 164 and a median GPA of 3.71.

Our exceptional Fowler faculty and staff put our newest students through their paces with a thorough introduction to law school life, professionalism, careers in law, and consistently achieving academic excellence throughout law school.

We are so remarkably proud to welcome you all to Kennedy Hall and the Chapman family. Welcome, Class of 2029! And welcome back, 2L and 3L Panthers, we can’t wait to see you all back in Kennedy Hall.

08/06/2026

We fired up the outdoor barbecue at Kennedy Hall yesterday to welcome admitted students for our annual summer mixer event. Everyone had the opportunity to meet Dean Antony Page and other Fowler School of Law faculty and staff prior to the excitement of launch week next week.

Admitted law students also enjoyed an opportunity to connect with other incoming 1Ls, meet some of our current law students and alumni and to familiarize themselves with Kennedy Hall, all while enjoying summer favorites of hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream.

Welcome to Fowler School of Law!

07/28/2026

Two months of studying.
Countless practice exams and essays, endless note-taking and revisions supported by a dedicated team of Chapman faculty, staff and alumni.
It's game time.

Here’s wishing our Fowler School of Law bar exam takers the very best of luck as they take on the California Bar exam today and tomorrow. You've put in the hard work, now swing for the fence!

And to everyone writing the bar exam across the state of California, today you are facing up to the toughest of challenges — Good Luck to you all! You’ve got this.

07/07/2026

In his latest op-ed for the Orange County Register, Fowler School of Law Professor Tom Campbell challenges the current fashion of gainsaying reasoning behind federal bench rulings as “political.”

Citing structural and historical efforts to thwart political influence in how judges rule, Campbell shares high praise for an unelected federal judiciary and the numerous advantages, both economic and personal, that this comes with.

Reflecting on a system that is by no means perfect, Campbell’s article points to the virtues of the judiciary’s self-reflexivity and as well as its ability to correct errors in judgement made at critical moments in our national history as foremost among its abilities.

Read Professor Campbell’s latest consideration of these issues here: https://www.ocregister.com/2026/07/04/tom-campbell-the-rare-and-essential-gift-of-an-independent-judiciary/

Thank God for unelected judges.

06/03/2026

Congratulations, Bar Passers!

Today we’re celebrating graduates who took their state and federal oaths at the Fowler School of Law last night.

Interim Dean Ken Stahl welcomed recent graduates, their families, friends and their supporters to the Wylie Aitken courtroom in Kennedy Hall last night for our traditional June Bar Swearing-in ceremony. Joining him at the podium was law professor and Chapman alumnus John Bishop, the Honorable Layne H. Melzer of the Superior Court of California, and the Honorable Karen Scott of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Each of our speakers and special guests shared high praise for the immense efforts, courage and stamina of these graduates on their journey to professional accreditation.

Congratulations to all the graduates who took their oaths in Kennedy Hall last night, and indeed to all the California Bar Exam passers currently being sworn in across the state. Well done to you all!


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05/28/2026

It's finally here! Announcing AMICUS 3!

Each year, as we honor our students at our traditional Nixon Library Graduation Reception, the Fowler School of Law unveils a new edition of AMICUS magazine, an annual record of the vibrant life of our school and broader community, a publication that is especially dear to our graduating class and alumni.

This award-winning publication chronicles the ongoing story of Fowler School of Law in an annual, collectible booklet celebrating the many achievements of our exceptional community of legal scholars, students, staff and alumni.

Snag a print or digital copy (link below), and catch up the latest edition of AMICUS. Immerse yourself in our warm and thriving community of legal scholars, thought leaders, students and alumni shaping the legal landscape.

https://issuu.com/chapmanlawschool/docs/amicus_2026?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw

05/27/2026

Closing out the academic year in fine style, the Fowler School of Law Class of 2026 gathered for Commencement at Wilson Field on Friday morning to celebrate a momentous year of professional development and academic excellence, and overcoming one more hurdle on the path to professional life as lawyers.

Our guest speaker, the Honorable Stephen Higginson from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, wished our graduates well, sharing words of wisdom and advice for the careers in law that lie ahead of them, while interim Dean Ken Stahl and retiring professor Susanna Ripken applauded the efforts of this exceptional class from the podium.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations the Class of 2026. We wish you every success for the future and look forward to welcoming you back to campus as Chapman alumni!