@ibelta Just FYI, I believe passing the bar through apprenticeship is extremely rare. I read an article in Cal Berkeley’s online magazine that said, “For perspective: 8,786 law school graduates took the bar exam in California last year. That same year only 45 legal apprentices did so, in the entire country.” (2015). The article does not say how many of those 45 were in California, and/or how many of those 45 passed their bar exam. You need to pass the bar exam in your state to practice law in that state.
I do agree that Cal State LA and CSUDH are both good suggestions for an undergraduate degree. It’s way to early to worry yet about whether your child wants to go to law school (which is a 3-year degree after your child completes a college degree), or if your child would rather try the apprenticeship option after completing college. Either might be possible, but right now he or she should get good grades.
I also don’t think it matters at all if your child attends Pierce before transferring to a 4-year college.
Transferring to a 4-year after community college (like Pierce) is completely OK in California, and will not impact your child’s long term career options. Going to a community college first will be less expensive, and will save money. Many people do this. However it is important your child should try to get good grades in community college. If your child decides to go to Pierce, CSUN may be closer to where s/he lives, and is also a good option for undergraduate.