Law and Entrepreneurship Program

The Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law was founded at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in 2000. The Palmer Center offers an innovative program to prepare students to fulfill the overlapping roles of lawyer and entrepreneur through the “certificate program” and the “fellowship program.”

Entrepreneurship Law Certificate

Students who complete the 12-unit Entrepreneurship and the Law certificate program requirements receive a Palmer Center Certificate in Law and Entrepreneurship upon graduation from the law school. The Palmer Center Fellowship program complements the rest of the high-caliber education that students receive at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and is unrivaled among law school programs in its dual focus on entrepreneurship and law.

Recognizing that many law students seek to pursue alternative career paths, the Palmer Center provides its students (called "Fellows"), who have been admitted into the Fellowship program, with the necessary education and training to succeed in the fields of business, finance, real estate, entertainment, intellectual property and technology. Lawyers' struggles to meet the needs of clients in these areas evidences the need to supplement the traditional law school curriculum even for those students pursuing traditional legal careers.

Who Qualifies to receive a Entrepreneurship and the Law Certificate

Students currently enrolled in Pepperdine Caruso School of Law JD or JD/MBA program, entering their second year of study are eligible to pursue the Entrepreneurship and the Law Certificate. The certificate program does not require selection to or participation in the Fellowship Program, but all students will need to submit an approval request, in their 3L Spring term for a review, that all certificate requirements have been satisfied. More information available on How to Apply webpage to submit your approval request.

The Fellowship

The Palmer Center “Fellowship” is a two-year program to supplement the Entrepreneurship and the Law Certificate Program that provides benefits for students (called “Fellows”). Students will prepare for careers in business, startups, entertainment, tech, real estate, and related practice areas though the Palmer Center approved and suggested course concentrations. Also, events such as the annual Socially, Environmentally and Ethically Responsible (SEER) conference, and regular Palmer Center "Lunch and Learn" meetings, give Fellows the opportunity to speak one-on-one with notable entrepreneurs, attorneys, and academics.

The network of mentors and institutional partners, who share the Palmer Center's vision of excellence, assist Palmer Fellows and are directly involved with leading professionals and entrepreneurs worldwide.These business communities offer the Fellows unique internship experiences. Palmer Center assists Fellows in obtaining internships and mentors within their areas of interest, providing students with some of the most unique and valuable learning experiences of their law school careers. Each year, the Palmer Center Student Board, Fellows, and Fellow graduates engage in expanding their network in building community to further impact the success of the fellowship programs' purpose, mission and goals.

Who Qualifies to Apply for the Palmer Center Fellowship Program:

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law JD or JD/MBA students entering their second year of study are eligible to become Palmer Center Fellows and begin courses toward earning an entrepreneurship and the law certificate. The Fellowship Application will only be accepted from students who apply at the end of their 1L year by the June 16 deadline.  No person on academic probation can be admitted.