Merced College students interested in a law career will have a new opportunity this spring.

Next semester, Merced College students can enroll in the California Law Pathway, a statewide program that connects students to law fields. Participating schools already include 36 community colleges, 20 four-year colleges and 16 law schools.

Law Pathway mentorship involves dedicated counseling, networking opportunities through field trips and free LSAT preparation, an exam required for law school applications.

“This is more than just a transfer pathway — it’s a commitment to expanding opportunity and representation within the legal profession,” said Merced College President Chris Vitelli in a news release. “By opening this door for our students, we are empowering them to bring their voices and experiences to a field that needs them.”

What Does the Program Mean for Merced College?

At its core, Law Pathways at Merced College is a mentorship and transfer preparation program, explained Ernesto Hernandez, director of Career and Transfer Services at Merced College.

After completing seven core courses and two electives, students can obtain a California Law Scholar Certificate. This certificate offers reduced law school application costs and special consideration for law school admission.

Hernandez is one of three people overseeing Law Pathways at Merced College. He’s personally heard students ask for career pathway opportunities.

“When students are asking, what they’re asking for is ‘Please bring something in the area that can help us have a real pathway to the legal profession,’” Hernandez said.

Jose Serena, dean of Allied Health and Public Safety, has worked at Merced College for 10 years. Serena was a counselor there for five years. He remembers meeting with students who asked him about legal opportunities.

“I think we’re going to see a lot of interest,” Serena said. “If you’ve never offered anything like this, then there’s not a lot of conversation. But as we begin to offer it, the conversation is just going to explode.”

There’s no changes to the courses Merced College offers, Serena explained. The Law Pathways required courses include history, writing and government courses.

“And the beauty of the nine courses, to me, is it folds into what students are doing anyway to transfer. So it’s not anything in addition that can lead to a student diverting their path,” Hernandez said.

Merced County DA Lobbied for Program

Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira met with local educators over a year ago to discuss bringing Law Pathways to Merced.

Silveira sees community college as an entry point to the legal profession. For students graduating high school, they can be exposed to different legal career opportunities, she explained, such as prosecution, defense work, immigration or real estate law.

With four deputy district attorney vacancies in the District Attorney’s Office, Silveira hopes the Law Pathways program will bring more local prosecutors to Merced in the future. It’s difficult to compete with communities where prosecutors make more money, or places deemed prettier areas, she said.

Merced County has diverse needs, Silveira said, so having people who understand the rural background and how the city is growing is important.

“I really want people who are from this community to want to stay and serve this community, because we have such an interesting community,” Silveira said.

What Other Schools in the Valley Participate?

In the San Joaquin Valley, participating schools include Fresno City College, Fresno State, and San Joaquin Delta College.

Kau Vue leads the Law Pathways program at Fresno City College. To her, it’s been rewarding to connect students to legal resources.

A political science instructor, Vue leads the program through her role as a Faculty Champion, which she began in 2020.

The program is about expanding access and opening more opportunities for students who might be considering a legal profession, she explained.

Any student with any major can get involved.

“It doesn’t mean that they have to go to law school. That’s what we want them to know. This is an option, an opportunity for you that can help you along the way,” Vue said.

Approximately 200 students are enrolled in the Law Pathway this year, according to Vue.

Students at Fresno City College also have the opportunity to join the Law Pathways Student Association. Through this club, students visit courtrooms and meet attorneys and judges.

Jakailah Parker is the first in her family to pursue a legal career. The program was transformative for Parker, who graduated from Fresno City College in 2024. She then transferred to Fresno State, where she is a prelaw junior.

Involvement in Law Pathways and the club connected Parker to resources both inside and outside the classroom.

“It was relieving knowing that you had peers that are kind of going through the same struggles of wanting to be a lawyer, but not knowing where to start,” Parker said.

She stayed in contact with two Fresno City College alumni. Together, they coordinate visiting courtrooms or studying for the LSAT.

Sangdeun Chomthong is a prelaw junior at Fresno State. She transferred this fall after graduating from Fresno City College in June. After graduating from Fresno State, she intends on enrolling in law school.

Chomthong held multiple roles in the student-run club. The Law Pathways program introduced her to a community of resources.

“It wasn’t always about the certificate. It was just about the people,” Chomthong said.

About the Author

Elizabeth Wilson is the public safety reporter for The Merced FOCUS.