We are excited to officially welcome you to the Trinity Law School
community at New Student Orientation.
Orientation will introduce new students to classmates, faculty, and other members of the Trinity Law School family. This is the start of your legal education! It is a comprehensive program of substantive learning, mock class sessions, and important skills training to prepare you for success in law school and on the California Bar Exam. You will learn everything you need to know about the first year of life in law school.
All Orientation sessions are mandatory for all first year J.D. students.
Orientation starts in:
Fall 2023 Orientation is scheduled for Friday, August 11, and Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 9 AM – 5 PM Pacific each day.
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All Orientation sessions are mandatory. In-person attendance both days is strongly encouraged for all, but required for those within a 100-mile radius of campus. Students who are unable to attend on campus will be able to participate in the live stream. Updates will be posted to this page as they are available.
View the Orientation Schedule (pending)
(also located in canvas.tiu.edu)
At Orientation you will:
- Learn the essential skills you need to succeed in law school, including approaches to exam writing, legal analysis, case briefing, outlining, note taking, and more.
- Become acquainted with offices to know: Academic Support, Financial Aid, IT, Registrar, and more.
- Be introduced to the Trinity Law School mission and distinctives that are the basis of forming lawyers for Biblical justice.
- Learn about extracurricular opportunities–like internships, Law Review, and study abroad courses–and maintaining a balanced and healthy life in law school.
If you have not done so already, please:
- Accept your offer of admission from your Admissions Counselor on the Intent to Enroll Form sent electronically.
- Select your Academic Plan (see options under “Reference Links” below). Once you confirm your Academic Plan, you will be able to register. (Flex Track academic plans are pre-determined and registration is available on or after July 19, 2023)
- Register for classes. Registration opens on or after July 19, 2023.
- Be aware that you will have reading and other assignments due the first day of Orientation, and the first day of class. Once you are registered for classes, log into Canvas to review the Orientation assignments and resources. You will also need to log into your Student Portal to review your syllabus for each class to be sure you are prepared. Your student portal is available by navigating to tls.edu/portal (if no TIU email address yet, visit here).
Required textbooks will be listed in each syllabus. Students must purchase books prior to the start of school because readings are due at the first class.
Since Trinity Law School does not sell books directly, you are welcome to purchase your textbooks at any retailer of your choice.
Optional books to also consider while you prepare for school are on our Suggested Reading for Incoming Law Students
Flex Track students receive additional materials for Baby Bar preparation separately.
Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA at studentaid.gov and directly your FAFSA to E00961 Trinity International University-California Campus.
Plan ahead for the Cost of Attendance (COA) by reviewing the following:
Trinity Law School and our parent school of Trinity International University are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (phone: 800.621.7440; https://www.hlcommission.org/).
Trinity Law School is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California.
Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the Bar Examination or be admitted to practice law in jurisdictions other than California. A student who intends to seek admission to practice law outside of California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding its education and admissions requirements.
Additional information about practicing in other states can be found in Chart 3 of the ABA’s Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission as well as on the website of the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Academic Plans for Flex Track students are predetermined as part-time for the first year.
Regular JD students must select one of the following plans:
Review the Academic Support Rubric for Flex as well as Flex Track On Course Resources.
MATERIALS: Materials (not textbooks) are provided by mail after Orientation. Be sure to update your current address in your Student Portal or by contacting your Admissions Counselor directly.
LIVE SESSION CLASS TIMES will be listed in your syllabi, which are available after you Register. You may see a preview of the schedule here.
If you plan to take the LSAT during your first semester, it must be taken in either August, September, October, or November 2023.
Every law student attending a California law school must register as a New Law Student with the State Bar of California within 90 days of beginning Juris Doctor studies. This is a one-time requirement. The procedure is outlined here.
Click here for referrals to local housing near our campus.
- Academic Calendar for the Current Year >> Also available in the Student Portal under Registrar Services > Forms and Academic Calendar
- Academic Support Calendar
- Suggested Reading for Incoming Law Students
- Grading Curve from Catalog Appendix