Yes I have experience with Taft Law School formerly Witkin School of Law at Taft University. As you know, the ABA does not accredit any online law school, but in the state of California where Taft Law School is located, if one passes the "Baby Bar" after the first year, you can continue on to the second and third years and eventually sit for the California Bar Exam. I found the school to be terrific, but that the posting regulations to be a bit misconstrued. If you miss nine posts in a 48 week period you are out! They go out of their way to work with you and have some very outstanding lawyers that work with you. The schedule is intense and you move around quite a bit between sections (Contracts, Torts, of course the introduction which is quite easy, Essays, and Criminal Law the first year) Whatever you do - don't get sick or have any personal problems in your life because it will affect your standing at the school. It happened to me. I had a heart attack and was told that I could take whatever time I needed to complete the courses to take the mid-terms, but the administration and the professors are not on the same page. I was late on several assignments and could have caught up, but a few professors would not cooperate. Some are outright nasty. I attempted to withdraw based on medical reasons and was convinced to stay on and take the time i needed. I had several problems logging on and did not get response for Charles Torres and was dismissed because they said I missed the nine posts. The people are actually quite wonderful; especially on the admin side. The Dean even teaches some of the courses. I thought this was my dream school and it all fell apart. They kept a good portion of the money even though I did not get to the mid-terms which is when you get any refunds due you. It was easy to get financial aide, but I also learned that anyone in the state of California an sit for the Baby Bar, pass it, and sit for the bar without going to any law school. I think it is why they wanted me not to withdraw, so they could keep the money. In all fairness, I first started before they had the blackboard and actually like it better, but after the switch things changed. Their accreditation is real or you would no be able to get financial aide. That is the main key to knowing if a school is accredited. If the school accepts financial aide (FAFSA and government guaranteed student loans, they are legit), and just because the ABA has not yet come around to accrediting the top online schools does not dismiss the fact that the school is a very good law school. However, it is 48 weeks straight with no breaks ever accept to study for the baby bar and the school lets you come there and study with the attorneys on staff and they have monthly discussions on specific topics. There have been many students that have gone on to practice law, and from what I understand they are now accredited in Colorado as well. It is tough going through 48 non stop weeks. Everyone needs a break from time to time. In fact, I am thinking about having a serious discussion about why I was dismissed and the promise made to me, that I have in an email and seeing if I can get back in. I spent several thousand dollars on books and that really bothers me. Also, once you have practiced law in California for whatever the number of years is, you can sit for the bar in another state, and you can also petition any state after completion of the program to sit for the bar in that state. No guarantees, but it has been done. I think I got caught posting in the lounge and they did not count toward my regular posts. One good thing is you can call or email any time and they get back to you right away and do work with you. Like any college you have to follow rules and file certain papers to get access to Lexus Nexis, be accepted to take the bar, apply for the baby bar, and try to get into a group that is serious about studying. You have to figure on at least 20 hours a week reading, writing essays, posts, and going over the material. I was not able to get into a group and it was much harder on me. I have Taft Law School shirts, and a hat, coffee mug - all of which I was proud of. It was great to say I was a true law student and all my family live in California. If you are thinking about a law school that is affordable and willing to put in the time - Taft is great, but you have to stay on top of your game. The Professors do post the answers to the weekly assignments which take a good amount of time. The amount of reading is intense, but it would be in a regular brick and mortar school as well. I recommend Taft Law school if you can put in the time. Where else are you going to be able to go to law school for 6000.00 per year and eventually sit for the bar exam in California. You can also just get your JD or LLM. If you don't want to take the bar but have a Juris Doctorate, you can do that too. Again, I love the people in the admin departments, but some of the profs were not reasonable as I am sure they have heard many excuses in the past. The first time I withdrew they did not charge me to return and start over. I did pay the second time and thought it to be quite reasonable. Your credit is not an issue as it was the first time around having to apply for a personal loan. The program is tough, very tough and you have to be seriously motivated to make it through, but if that is what you want, I thought it was better than Lexington, Concord and several others. There is also Novus Law School online for getting your JD. You can look up a list of all the states and their requirements for sitting for the bar. Best wishes.
John
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