Clinical Legal Education

Clinical Legal Education & Externship Programs

Clinical Programs

The Office of Clinical Legal Education operates two programs:  an on-campus law office representing low income individuals, not-for-profits, and small businesses; and an externship program, which places students in the community to work with government and public interest attorneys and with judges.  Students receive academic credit for both of these programs, with opportunities available for 2nd and 3rd year students.

In-House Clinics

The Office of Clinical Legal Education includes eight clinics, all housed in the College of Law’s MacNaughton Hall.  Students enrolling in a clinic represent clients and practice law under the supervision of law school faculty. 
To encourage students to develop as competent, professional and thoughtful lawyers, the clinics include close supervision and rigorous feedback and critique.  Students practice in a range of settings, from city, state, and federal courts, to proceedings before the IRS and arbitration panels. Students also assist community organizations in securing nonprofit corporation status and in addressing a range of other legal issues, and often conduct community education programs.

Students Learn

• Lawyering skills
• Substantive Law
• Collaboration
• Professional Responsibility
• Law Practice Management

Externship Program

The Externship Program provides students with the opportunity to work with and as lawyers.  The Program consists of the Externship Placement, where students work under the supervision of a lawyer or judge in offices throughout Upstate NY, and the Externship Seminar, which addresses lawyering as a profession.

Placement Areas

• Judicial Chambers
• Government Offices
• Public Interest Firms
• University Offices