Beginning in the fall of 2017, the Law Center offers a new one-semester, six-credit clinic focused on civil litigation, principally in federal district court. The clinic focuses on teaching students basic litigation skills including, among others, interviewing clients, drafting complaints, conducting discovery, taking and defending depositions, drafting motions for summary judgment, and, on occasion, taking appeals, likely in conjunction with one of the law school’s appellate litigation clinics.

The clinic does not focus on a single area of law. Instead, it takes on meaningful public interest cases that are especially good teaching vehicles, including open government cases, cases involving administrative agencies, and consumer protection cases. The clinic’s clients are public interest, civil rights, environmental and other non-profit organizations, as well as individuals in need of legal services. Students joining the clinic will be expected to work for at least 21 hours/week, including attending the two-hour weekly seminar.

Students will be engaged in substantial legal and factual research, drafting pleadings, motions, and substantial briefs, meeting with clients and opposing counsel, and attending court proceedings.

The Fall 2017 Inaugural Class

Press Conference in the Seven Member Rule Case Featuring Rep. Elijah Cummings at the Podium