In 1965, Bill Lockyer received his B.A. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. After earning a teaching credential from CSU Hayward the following year, Bill Lockyer worked for his father's roofing business and as a forklift driver at Ward's before beginning his career in government on the staff of Assemblyman Robert W. Crown. Bill Lockyer earned his Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1986. As a member of the San Leandro Unified School District's School Board, chair of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, and California coordinator for Senator George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign, Bill Lockyer launched his political career.