Dean's Message
Pepperdine University School of Law is committed to the "highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership." These words from our mission statement capture the essence of this school - an extraordinary place where great things are being done, with even greater contributions to the law and to the country just around the corner.
At their best, lawyers are ever disciplining and training themselves and those around them to serve in what, at its best, is a helping, caring profession. The study of law is a rigorous undertaking because our society entrusts lawyers with grave responsibilities. Knowledgeable, zealous representation of clients is an ethical obligation. But zealousness does not require mean-spiritedness. The mission of Pepperdine Law School calls upon students, faculty, administration, and staff to be of genuine service in building and encouraging, and that mission translates into an educational environment that produces effectively trained lawyers who know how to practice law as, in the words of St. Francis of Assisi, instruments of the Lord's peace.
At Pepperdine Law School we strive to help everyone in the law school family define dreams and achieve aspirations as we seek to strengthen lives for purpose, service and leadership.
Many blessings,
Kenneth W. Starr
Duane and Kelly Roberts Dean and Professor of Law
