First Amendment Clinic

Catalog description

Third year law students will represent clients in matters involving First Amendment claims or defenses, with an emphasis on federal court litigation. Priority areas of focus may include protecting the right of dissent and defending the freedom of the press; the clinic will not address religious freedoms outside of the context of free speech. Students may be responsible for conducting fact investigation, client intake and case planning for requests for assistance received by the clinic. If a matter moves to litigation, students will be responsible for drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, arguing matters before courts, engaging in settlement negotiations and conducting trial. If a matter is better suited for non-litigation efforts students will engage in non-litigation advocacy such as report writing and the creation of educational materials for policymakers and members of the public. All work is done under the supervision of the Clinic Director, and with support of legal fellows. The clinic is a one year course. In the fall semester clinic students are required to concurrently take the First Amendment Clinic Seminar.