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The Local Advantage: Studying Law in the Coachella Valley

  • triciawitkower
  • Nov 17
  • 2 min read

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For many hopeful law students, relocating or commuting long distances to attend law school is unrealistic. California Desert Trial Academy College of Law (CDTA) offers a practical and accessible alternative as the only law school located in the Coachella Valley. Students can earn their JD close to home while maintaining the careers, responsibilities, and routines that matter most.

Convenient and Accessible for Local Students

CDTA’s location in Indio allows students to pursue a legal education without major disruption. Local students benefit from shorter commutes, predictable schedules, and the ability to continue working full-time. Saving time on travel also means more time for studying, family, and personal balance. Students who live in Palm Desert, La Quinta, Palm Springs, or any of the surrounding desert cities have an easy commute to CDTA.

Remaining in the community reduces transportation costs, eliminates relocation expenses, and allows students to stay rooted where they feel supported.

Strong Connections to the Coachella Valley Legal Community

Studying where you plan to practice provides a powerful advantage. CDTA maintains strong relationships with judges, attorneys, and local law offices, giving students access to internships, clerkships, and mentorship opportunities right here in the Valley. These connections help students gain real courtroom experience and build professional networks before graduation.

Meeting the Legal Needs of a Growing Region

As the Coachella Valley expands, so does the demand for skilled attorneys. CDTA helps prepare graduates who understand the community and are ready to serve it. Whether students are pursuing family law, criminal defense, business law, or another area of practice, they graduate with a strong foundation in both legal knowledge and practical skills.

A Practical, Community-Focused Path to a JD

CDTA’s small class sizes, hands-on learning, and affordable tuition make it an ideal option for students seeking a realistic path to becoming an attorney. By offering a high-quality legal education close to home, CDTA ensures that local students can pursue their goals without leaving the community they care about.

 
 
 
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Statement of Nondiscrimination

Consistent with sound educational policy, CDTA College of Law does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, disability, medical condition, age, marital status, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

CONTACT INFORMATION

California Desert Trial Academy College of Law
45-290 Fargo Street
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 342-0900

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California State Bar Standard and Required Disclosure

The method of instruction at this law school for the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program is principally in physical classroom facilities.

Students enrolled in the J.D. degree program at this law school who successfully complete the first year of law study must pass the First-Year Law Students Examination required by Business and Professions Code 6060(h) and Rule VIII of the Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California as part of the requirements to qualify to take the California Bar Examination.

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A student who passes the First-Year Law Students Examination within three (3) administrations of the examination after first becoming eligible to take it will receive credit for all legal studies completed to the time the examination is passed. A student who does not pass the examination within three (3) administrations of the examination after first becoming eligible to take it must be promptly disqualified from the law school’s J.D. degree program. If the dismissed student subsequently passes the examination, the student is eligible for re-enrollment in this law school’s J.D. degree program, but will receive credit for only one year of legal study.

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Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or to satisfy the requirements for admission to practice in jurisdictions other than California. A student intending to seek admission to practice law in a jurisdiction other than California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding the legal education requirements in that jurisdiction for admission to the practice of law.

Copyright CDTA California Desert Trial Academy College of Law. All rights reserved. The Desert’s first and only Law School. Proudly serving all of Southern California; accepting applications from Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.

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