The Clinical Law Program
Award Winning | Interdisciplinary | Inspiring
What's a law school clinic?
In a law school clinic, students receive law-school credit while they represent
real clients or mediate real cases. They learn relevant lawyering skills through
close supervision by an experienced lawyer/faculty member. Clinics offer students an
opportunity to serve the community and reflect on their experience as they become a
lawyer.
Clinics at the UW School of Law
The clinical law program is central to the School of Law's public service and access
to justice efforts. Each year, a variety of clinics offer diverse practice
opportunities to law students. Currently nearly 70% of our JD class graduate having taken at least one clinic. As
the world and the legal profession change, law schools must prepare the next
generation to be our advocates and leaders. The UW School of Law is committed to
providing an innovative, student-focused learning environment that prepares our
students to become highly skilled lawyers in a globally competitive world. Our UW
students gain a strong foundation in legal theory, the skills necessary for success
in the changing legal profession, and an awareness of their ethical and public
service responsibilities.
Collaborative Externships
What's a Collaborative Externship?
In addition to our clinics, the UW law school offers a wide range of externships, or "field placements."
In externships students receive law school credit for performing legal work in a
non-profit or government agency. Students are directly supervised by an experienced
lawyer in the work setting. In addition, a faculty supervisor guides the students in
reflecting on the externship experience.
In addition, we offer specially designed collaborative externships. The law
school and one or more community partners together design a special 15-credit
immersion externship experience. The collaborative externship is offered each year
during the same quarter. A cohort of students participates in special educational
activities.
Collaborative Externships at the US School of Law
The law school currently offers two collaborative externships, the
Olympia Quarter Fellows and the
Laurel Rubin Externship Advocacy Project.
Clinical Law Program News
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40 Under 40: Juli Pierce, senior deputy Yellowstone County attorney
UW Law Alumna Juli Pierce '04 was named one of the 40 Under 40 by the Billings Gazette
(2/2/12)
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Bill could set scale for wrongful conviction compensation - Publicola
A new wrongful conviction bill would create a pay scale of sorts in Washington for people whose convictions are later overturned by new evidence.
(1/23/12)
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Washington State considers community broadband bill - Reclaim the Media
Last year, House Bill 2601 examined telecommunications reform, including the possibilty of municipality and public utility district provisioning. The UW School of Law examined the issues and released a report that recognizes the important role public sector investments can play.
(1/17/12)
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17 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit - should state pay? - KPLU
Alan Northup was exonerated through DNA testing with help from the Innocence Project Northwest (IPNW) . Advocates for granting them compensation say it's the right thing to do, even in tough budgetary times. IPNW Director Jackie McMurtrie is mentioned.
(1/13/12)
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NALC wins dismissal on tribal case
In December, NALC won a dismissal on a complex tribal case, working with National Advocates for Pregnant Women. We are excited to continue developing interdisciplinary partnerships with advocacy organizations.
(1/5/12)
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Law School clinics serve students and the public - UW Regional & Community Relations
Since 1979, the UW School of Law has offered students the opportunity to represent real clients or mediate real cases by working with faculty members through the Clinical Law Program.
(12/1/11)
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Pursuing Equal Justice for All Native Americans
Professor Ron Whitener writes on the Champions of Change blog, a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities Pursuing Equal Justice for All Native Americans
(10/29/11)
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What price should be paid to a person wrongly convicted? - Seattle Times
Guest columnist Jack Hamann argues for legislation before the Washington Legislature to compensate people who are wrongly convicted in our state. NW Innocence Project clinic director Jackie McMurtrie is quoted.
(10/28/11)
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Immigration Law Clinic Earns Huge Win for Former Sudanese Child Soldier
Congratulations to Teymur Askerov '12 and Melanie Beckwith '11, two immigration law clinic students, and to advanced clinic student Meghan Kelly '11 who successfully defended a 33-year-old detained man from being sent back to Sudan, where he feared he would be tortured. Athian Bol tells an amazing story and Signe Dortch and her team were able to focus attention on the widespread and egregious human rights violations occurring in Sudan. Well done to the students and to clinic director Signe Dortch.
(9/23/11)
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Ron Whitener selected as a White House "Champion of Change"
Congratulations to Tribal Court Clinic Director Ron Whitener who was selected as a White House "Champion of Change." The award features lawyers “who dedicate their professional lives to closing the justice gap in America” and is given to a small group of people who are “Winning the Future.” This honor was presented to Whitener at the White House on October 13, 2011.
(9/2/11)