Yale Law School has one of the most robust clinical programs in the country. Unlike most other schools, students can begin taking clinics--and appearing in court--during the spring of their first year. Clinic students represent real clients with real legal problems (not in simulations or role-playing exercises), and are supervised by senior faculty members, with whom they often develop close and lasting mentoring relationships.
About 80% of our students take advantage of this unique opportunity to combine theory with practice, and many students take more than one clinic. WIth more than 20 clinics, there are always places available.
The Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization (LSO) provides legal representation to individuals and organizations in need of legal help but unable to afford private attorneys. With more than 15 separate clinics, LSO clinical opportunities offer a wide range of options for students.
The Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Law Clinic is a Law School course that gives students firsthand experience in human rights advocacy under the supervision of international human rights lawyers. The clinic undertakes a number of litigation, research, and advocacy projects each term on behalf of human rights organizations and individual victims of human rights abuse.
Several other clinical programs give students direct experience in the practice of law in particular areas:
- The Environmental Protection Clinic is an interdisciplinary clinic that addresses environmental law and policy problems on behalf of client organizations such as environmental groups, government agencies, and international bodies.
- The Nonprofit Organizations Clinic provides legal assistance to nonprofit organizations that cannot afford to retain private counsel.
- Balancing Civil Liberties and National Security After September 11 is a clinic/seminar that focuses on civil liberties cases arising from new government policies after September 11, 2001.
- The Supreme Court Clinic combines classroom instruction about the Court with hands-on involvement with litigation projects.