Tañada-Diokno School of Law

The school was founded in 2009 on the principles of human rights and civil liberties by human rights Atty. Jose Manuel "Chel" I. Diokno, who is the chairman of the largest human rights group called the "Free Legal Assistance Group" or FLAG. Classes started in 2010.[1] The mission of the school was to create morally grounded and well-rounded individuals ready to serve the oppressed and take a stand on such principles. This became the blueprint for all subjects in the school regardless of the selected area of study for each student, which was a first in Philippine legal education. The school introduced the practice of using "The Green Notes" to aid students in reviewing for all legal topics in lieu of fraternity and sorority assistance, as such groups were prohibited by the school. Student organizations, however, continue to thrive among the J.D. students.

In 2013, the school created the Development Legal Advocacy Center (DLAC), which is the main pillar of its clinical legal education program.

The first TDSOL batch composed of 46 graduate students took the bar exam in 2014 and gave the University a 56.5 percent passing rate on its first attempt, which was the highest among private institutions.[2]

In the Academic Year 2016-2017, the school moved to the Rufino Campus in Bonifacio Global City, which houses 17 classrooms run on solar power, an auditorium, an arbitration room, and a moot court.[3][4]

In 2019, the school shifted from a thesis Juris Doctor program to a non-thesis Juris Doctor program. In 2021, the school became one of the first five law schools that adopted the Revised Model Curriculum mandated by the Legal Education Board. It was renamed on February 26, 2022, which was Jose W. Diokno's birth centennial, as the Tañada-Diokno College of Law, in honor of Diokno and Lorenzo Tañada, who were both senators, nationalists, and De La Salle alumni.[5][6] It was later renamed to the Tañada-Diokno School of Law in 2023.[7]

Its Board of Advisers is composed of former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban, and former Justices Florentino Feliciano, Josue Bellosillo, Anselmo T. Reyes, and environmental lawyer and fellow alumnus Atty. Antonio Oposa Jr.[8]

2010 recipient Sen. Jovito R. Salonga with Chel Diokno and Bro. Armin Luistro

In 2005, the De La Salle Professional Schools, Inc. Graduate School of Business (DLS-PSI-GSB) handed out the inaugural "Ka Pepe Diokno Human Rights Award", one of the most prestigious human rights awards in the country. This award is partly organized by the school, together with the entire university board and the Jose W. Diokno Foundation.[9] The pioneer Ka Pepe Diokno Human Rights Award was conferred on Voltaire Y. Rosales, Executive Judge of Tanauan, Batangas for his conviction of suspects despite the death threats against him, even giving up his life due to his principles. Subsequent annual awards have been given to recognize persons or groups such as Jovito Salonga, Maria Ressa, the Nightcrawlers, and Bishop Pablo Virgilio "Ambo" David, who exemplified their commitment to the furtherance of human rights, social justice, and Philippine sovereignty.[10][11]