Clinics & Experiential Learning
The Law School provides a broad range of experiential learning opportunities in which students can integrate practical experience with the theory learned in the classroom. These programs enable students to develop crucial lawyering skills, deepen their understanding of how the law and legal institutions operate on the ground, and explore possible career options.
The Lawyering Process Program allows every student to begin to learn and practice key lawyering skills during the first year of law school. During the first semester of the program, students learn how to conduct legal research and write memos and briefs. Between the first and second semesters, an intensive moot court program hones written and oral advocacy skills. The second semester of the Lawyering Process Program focuses on interacting effectively with clients and other lawyers. Students study and practice the fundamental lawyering skills of interviewing, counseling and negotiating. Adjunct faculty members who are practicing lawyers observe students using these skills and provide individual feedback.
Upperclass students can choose among a wide range of in-house clinical programs and externship clinics. Students in clinics engage in real legal practice – interviewing and counseling clients; investigating the facts, researching the law, and formulating case strategies; appearing before courts and agencies in trials and appeals; negotiating agreements – while receiving extensive training and individualized supervision and feedback. These programs help UConn law students develop the skills, judgment, and values necessary to successful law practice, while providing meaningful and rewarding service to clients in need of legal assistance.
Each clinical course has a limited enrollment, to ensure that students receive effective supervision and feedback. Some clinics and externship opportunities require completion of the Student Practice form prior to participation. No student may be enrolled in more than one clinic (including in-house clinical programs, partnership programs, externship clinics, and individual externships) during the same academic term. With permission of both instructors, a student may participate in Advanced Clinic Fieldwork in one clinic while enrolled in another clinic.
- Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Law Clinic
- Criminal Clinic
- Tax Clinic
- Asylum and Human Rights Clinic
- Mediation Clinic
Affiliated Non-Profit Organizations
- LGBT Civil Rights - Jamie Mills
- Judicial Clerkship - Lewis Kurlantzick
- Legislative Clerkship - Cornelius O'Leary
- Administrative Clerkship - Elliot Prescott
- Environmental Law - Roger Reynolds
- State's Attorney's Clinic - Michael Gailor and James Turcotte
- Poverty Law - Royal Stark
- Center for Energy and Environmental Law Externship Clinic - Joseph MacDougald
Semester in Washington D.C. Program
