Practice Makes Perfect

Understanding the law is not enough. You need skills to practice the law successfully. We integrate hands-on learning throughout our curriculum, so that our students gain the skills they will need as attorneys as they master the principles that form the foundation of legal practice. Students have a variety of opportunities to gain first-hand experience, working alongside attorneys and judges in one of the nation’s most lively legal communities. By the time they graduate, our students have experience in arguing cases, negotiating transactions and carrying out diverse activities that make up legal practice today. 

• Through our Co-op Program, practitioners from more than 100 law firms, corporate offices, government agencies, courts and public-interest law organizations serve as mentors for our students, who earn academic credit while drafting documents, conducting research, observing meetings and depositions or gaining other experience in the field. 
  
• Our Clinical Program allows students in our Field Clinics to work with attorneys from three premiere public-interest law organizations and represent clients in court, administrative hearings or community meetings. Our in-house Appellate Litigation Clinic gives students an opportunity to represent clients in matters that are under appeal.  And through our in-house Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, students provide legal assistance to the owners of startup businesses.  
  
•  The Pro Bono Service Program gives students yet more hands-on experience as they assist individuals and groups that are traditionally underserved by the private bar. Students hone their skills by assisting with matters from securing public benefits and housing to navigating the immigration process. 
  
•  Our Trial Advocacy Program provides students with a range of skills from deposition strategies to opportunities to argue cases before practicing attorneys and jurists through real and simulated courtrooms. Students can learn specific skills targeted to civil or criminal trials through advanced courses taught by seasoned litigators.