Dr. Clare Pastore

Professor

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Biography

Clare Pastore is a Professor of Practice at USC Gould School of Law, where she teaches courses including Poverty Law, Civil Rights, and Access Justice Practicum. A leading member of California's public interest community, she co-authored a prominent Poverty Law textbook. Pastore is recognized for her advocacy in poverty, civil rights, and racial justice and frequently speaks on these issues. She has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 Wage Justice Center Founder’s Award and Gould’s Rutter Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2020. A past Wasserstein Fellow at Harvard Law School, she has been named one of the nation’s outstanding public interest attorneys and has held critical positions such as Senior Counsel for the ACLU of Southern California. Her legal career includes significant contributions through litigation in poverty law and serving on the California Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. Pastore holds a BA from Colgate University and a JD from Yale Law School.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor of Practice

2004-01-01 — Present

USC Gould School of Law • Los Angeles, California

Teaches various law courses and serves in the public interest law community.

Senior Counsel

2004-01-01 — 2007-01-01

ACLU of Southern California • Los Angeles, California

Provided legal counsel and led civil rights litigation.

Staff Attorney

1989-01-01 — 2004-01-01

Western Center on Law and Poverty • Los Angeles, California

Litigated cases involving poverty law and disability rights.

Awards

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Wage Justice Center Founder’s Award

2024-01-01
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Rutter Award for Distinguished Teaching

2020-01-01
#

Earl Johnson Equal Justice Award

2019-01-01
#

Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award

2013-01-01

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, or Hard Science
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (not required for MS CS, but allowed)
Specialization Notes

GRE is NOT required for Master's applicants for 2025-2026.