Lifer School 2027

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

THE ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON CALIFORNIA'S PAROLE HEARING PROCESS

Time: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Location: UCLA School of Law, Room 1357

Address: 385 Charles E Young Dr E, Los Angeles, CA

Light breakfast at 9:30am, program at 10am

Join us Saturday, February 6, at UCLA School of Law for UnCommon Law’s annual Lifer School, a full-day, interactive symposium demystifying California’s parole hearing process and offering practical tools and resources for navigating this complex system. In partnership with the UCLA Prison Law & Policy Program and UCLA Criminal Law & Policy Consortium, the event brings together legal experts, advocates, and directly impacted community members to share knowledge and support people inside navigating parole.

This year’s event is in-person only. Tickets are free for formerly incarcerated community members and their loved ones, $10 for general members of the public, and $50 for attorneys seeking MCLE credit.

*Please note: This year's Lifer School will not be livestreamed or recorded. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. If you have any questions, email convening@uncommonlaw.org.

REGISTER FOR LIFER SCHOOL
Conference in Oakland

Who Should Attend?

Anyone is welcome! Lifer School is designed for family members, loved ones, advocates, legal professionals, and community members who want to better understand California's parole hearing process, support incarcerated people navigating the system, and get involved in parole-related advocacy and reform efforts.

What to Expect

  • Understand the parole process: Learn how California's parole system works, how decisions are made, and what to expect during a parole hearing.
  • Experience a mock hearing: See how a parole hearing unfolds through a realistic demonstration that brings the process to life.
  • Participate in specialized workshops: Choose from sessions focused on parole representation, supporting incarcerated loved ones, emerging parole issues, and legislative advocacy.
  • Connect with attorneys, advocates, and community members: Connect with others through networking and a community circle designed to bring together people advancing parole reform.
  • MCLE Credit: UnCommon Law’s application for California MCLE credit is pending approval. Pending Bar approval, up to 4.25 credits may be awarded to attorneys.
REGISTER FOR LIFER SCHOOL

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The event will run from 9:30 AM–5 PM on Saturday, February 6, 2027, with two 15-minute breaks and a 45-minute lunch break.

  • Lifer School will be held in Los Angeles at UCLA School of Law in Room 1357. The address for the parking lot is 215 Charles E. Young Dr. N., Los Angeles, CA 90095.

    • Free: Formerly incarcerated community members & their loved ones

    • $10: General admission

    • $50: Attorneys seeking MCLE credit

  • Our goal is to bring together as many advocates, community members, and legal professionals as possible to learn, connect, and share resources. We've introduced a modest general admission fee to encourage attendees to commit to attending in person and make the most of this opportunity to learn directly from experienced parole experts, access valuable resources, and build meaningful connections with others navigating California's complex parole process.

  • No. Since space is limited, advance registration is required.

  • Yes. The space where Lifer School will be held has a maximum capacity of 150 people. If you registered for the event but are not able to attend, please notify us as soon as possible.

  • Yes. Your ticket includes coffee, water, a light breakfast, and lunch.

  • Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds or MCLE credits to participants who do not attend.

  • UnCommon Law’s application for California MCLE credit is pending approval. Subject to State Bar approval, up to 4.25 credits may be awarded to attorneys. We cannot award MCLE credits to participants who do not attend the event.

  • This year's Lifer School will not be livestreamed or recorded to encourage people to attend in person. If you are unable to attend and would like to access recorded sessions from prior years, please contact comms@uncommonlaw.org.

  • Yes, we will email all attendees a folder containing the slides and resources. We will also link the folder on this webpage for easy access.

  • We will publish the program and agenda on this webpage and send an email to our mailing list with a survey to select which sessions you’d like to attend.

  • Yes, parking costs $17 for the day in parking structure 3, which is about a 7-minute walk from the law school building. The address to the parking structure is 215 CHARLES E YOUNG Dr E, Los Angeles, CA 90095

  • Yes, accessible parking spaces are available directly in front of the law school, so those who need them do not have to park in Structure 3.

  • Main Public Transit Providers

    LA Metro (Bus & Rail): Connects UCLA to downtown LA, Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley, and the LA Metro Rail E Line (Westwood/Rancho Park Station).

    Santa Monica Big Blue Bus: Stops at three main campus hubs (Gateway Plaza, Charles Young Drive Parking Structure 2, and McGawan Hall) with direct routes to Santa Monica Beach, Brentwood, Sawtelle, and the E Line.

    Culver CityBus: Offers lines like Route 6/6R running directly between LAX and UCLA.

  • View the maps below.