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College of Law

About Us

Established in June 1961 by then-Rector Rev. Hudson Mitchell, SJ, the College of Law began with sixteen first-year students. Following a long tradition of excellence and care, of magis and cura personalis, the College nurtures in its students the spirit of service, professional ideals, and ethical attitudes. It molds its students not only to be persons for others, but lawyers for the common good.

The Ateneo College of Law seeks to impart knowledge of the law, to inculcate professional ideals and attitudes, to nurture the spirit of service rendered to the profession and to the public, and to develop professional skills such as logical thinking, counseling of clients, conduct of litigation, techniques of oral argument, negotiations and settlement, and preparation of legal instruments. It strives to mold its students to become persons for others and excellent Christian lawyers.

National Recognition

On December 9, 2025, the Ateneo de Davao University College of Law was named the #1 Law School in the Philippines and #1 in Civil Law at the Legal Education Board’s Annual Stakeholders Meeting, held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.

Dean Manuel P. Quibod received the award alongside deans from several other law schools across Mindanao and the Visayas, many of them alumni of the Ateneo College of Law themselves, a fitting picture of how far the College’s formation reaches across the region’s legal profession.

According to the Supreme Court of the Philippines, the College has ranked among the top law schools in the country in Bar Examination performance for many years, a distinction now crowned by this national #1 recognition.

The Juris Doctor Program

A professional law degree preparing students for the practice of law, the College operates as an evening class program, Monday to Friday, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, built for students who are working while they study.

Clinical legal education. Students gain real practice experience through the College’s clinical legal education program, applying classroom learning to actual cases and clients before graduation.

Pre-bar review. The College maintains its own pre-bar review center, led by Rev. Fr. Agustin L. Nazareno, supporting graduates through the final stretch toward licensure.

Mindanao Law Journal. Under Editor-in-Chief Atty. Pilariza Racho-Baldovino, PhD, the College publishes its own legal journal, contributing to legal scholarship in the region.

Leadership

Atty. Manuel P. Quibod University Legal Counsel and Dean, College of Law; Director, Ateneo Legal Aid Services; President, Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Davao City Chapter

Atty. Quibod is the fourth Dean in the College’s history, following Atty. Leon M. Garcia Jr. (1961-1963), Atty. Epifanio E. Estrellado (1963-1990, one of the longest-serving deans in the history of the Philippine Association of Law Schools), and Atty. Hildegardo F. Iñigo, one of the College’s first graduates, who served until his passing in 2007.

Assistant Dean: Atty. Jazzie M. Sarona-Lozare | lcgalas@addu.edu.ph
Director, Pre-Bar Review: Rev. Fr. Agustin L. Nazareno | alnazareno@addu.edu.ph
Editor-in-Chief, Mindanao Law Journal: Atty. Pilariza Racho-Baldovino, PhD | prbaldovino@addu.edu.ph
Director, Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy (APILA): Atty. Romeo T. Cabarde Jr. | rtcabardejr@addu.edu.ph

Office: Dotterweich Hall (formerly CocoFed Dormitory), Jacinto Street, Davao City
Tel: +63 (82) 221.2411 local 8502
Direct Line: +63 (82) 226.2279
Legal Aid: (082) 227 7460 | legalaid@addu.edu.ph

A Legacy of Excellence

The College’s first graduates sat the Bar in 1965. As of School Year 2007-2008, it had produced 837 lawyers and awarded the Bachelor of Laws degree to hundreds of graduates; that figure is now well out of date and should be refreshed with current totals before publishing. Its graduates continue to distinguish themselves in private practice, government service, and professional organizations, several now serving as law school deans in their own right.

Eight graduates have placed among the Top Ten Bar Examinees nationwide:

  1. Hildegardo F. Iñigo — 8th Placer, 1966
  2. Jesus G. Dureza — 10th Placer, 1973
  3. Ruben V. Abarquez — 9th Placer, 1976
  4. Aaron Philip B. Cruz — 7th Placer, 1998
  5. Randy Peter T. Ceniza — 6th Placer, 1999
  6. Arvin Dexter M. Lopoz — 2nd Placer, 2000
  7. Rogelio G. Largo — 4th Placer, 2000
  8. Melissa Romana P. Suarez — 8th Placer, 2003

Many more graduates have placed within the Top 20 across the decades, from Josefina M. Brandares (11th Placer, 1972) to Ruby M. Luy (9th Placer, 2007).

Legal Aid Office

The College’s Legal Aid Office, directed by Dean Quibod, extends free legal assistance to communities who could not otherwise afford it: case handling, counseling, and legal aid clinical education, putting the College’s mission of justice into direct practice.

Address: 1st Floor, Dotterweich Hall, Ateneo de Davao University, Jacinto Street, Davao City
Contact: (082) 227 7460 | legalaid@addu.edu.ph

The Bar Is Not the Finish Line

The College forms lawyers for the common good, and the country now calls it the best at doing so. Passing the bar is where that work begins.

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