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Southwestern Law School

EIN 95-1246140 · Los Angeles, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, SOUTHWESTERN HAS EDUCATED LAWYERS READY TO SERVE CLIENTS, THE PROFESSION, AND OUR SOCIETY WITH EXCELLENCE. WE EMPOWER STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. WE CULTIVATE INCLUSION AND BELONGING. WE PROMOTE EQUITY AND JUSTICE. WE CHAMPION TRAILBLAZERS, DEVELOP DEALMAKERS, AND INSPIRE INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY. WE INNOVATE. WE SHAPE THE LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY THROUGH TEACHING, SCHOLARSHIP, AND SERVICE. WE ARE THE DIFFERENCE.

Income
$71.2 million
Spending
$67.4 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
754
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$576,140, president & dean

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $51.7 million spent. THE LAW SCHOOL WELCOMES STUDENTS FROM A BROAD RANGE OF BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERIENCES AND STRIVES TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WHILE FOSTERING INCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION. THE LAW SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHES THIS GOAL IN PART BY OFFERING MULTIPLE COURSES OF STUDY LEADING TO THE JURIS DOCTOR DEGREE: (1) A FULLY ONLINE ASYNCHRONOUS CURRICULUM IN BOTH FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME OPTIONS;(2) A THREE-YEAR, FULL-TIME DAY PROGRAM; (3) A TWO-YEAR, ACCELERATED FULL-TIME DAY PROGRAM;(4) A FOUR YEAR, PART-TIME DAY PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH CHILD-CARE, ELDER-CARE, OR OTHER CARE-GIVING RESPONSIBILITIES;(5) A FOUR-YEAR, PART-TIME DAY PROGRAM; AND(6) A FOUR-YEAR, PART-TIME HYBRID EVENING PROGRAM.THE LAW SCHOOL ALSO OFFERS COURSES OF STUDY LEADING TO EITHER A MASTERS IN GENERAL LAW OR MASTERS OF LAW IN ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA LAW. THE LAW SCHOOL OFFERS A CONCURRENT J.D./M.B.A. PROGRAM WITH THE DRUCKER SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY. THE LAW SCHOOL SPONSORS A FOREIGN SUMMER ABROAD LAW PROGRAM AS PART OF THE J.D. DEGREE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1937.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.