Since 1969, the Clinical Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University has helped students develop the legal expertise and professional judgment they need to bridge the gap between a law degree and practicing law. In the clinics, students engage in challenging and rewarding legal cases for real clients, and many students find their clinical experience to be the high point of their law school education. For these reasons, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has cited clinical experience as one of the most important aspects of legal education.
Our program offers a wide variety of experiences through the ten clinics: Civil Litigation, First Amendment, Immigration, Indian Legal, Patent, Entrepreneurship and Small Business and Post-Conviction as well as the three outside clinics: Lodestar Mediation, Public Defender and Prosecution.
Under the direct supervision of faculty and practicing attorneys, most clinics provide opportunities to take direct responsibility for clients in a law practice setting. In addition to providing legal services, each clinic has a classroom component where students explore issues of proficiency and ethics, lawyer-client relationship, alternative dispute resolution and the attorney’s role as an advocate in the justice system.
Clinical courses are an integral part of a balanced legal education. In today’s competitive legal environment, students with clinical experience have a decided edge in finding rewarding positions in their chosen fields.
First Amendment Clinic students win big at Arizona Supreme Court (July 9, 2024)
ASU Law helps set legal precedent in public records law (May 14, 2024)
ASU Indian Legal Clinic hires new Democracy Director (January 19, 2024)
Eric Menkhus returns to the Innovation Advancement Clinic (May 26, 2023)
ASU Law students help Arizona inmates find path to freedom (May 19, 2023)
"As someone who knew they wanted to be a prosecutor going into law school, the Prosecution Clinic was invaluable. The placement gave me real-world experience in criminal law (which has little resemblance to academic law), while the class taught me useful and applicable skills to help me succeed. Some of those skills included giving persuasive opening and closing arguments, learning to avoid common trial pitfalls and conducting direct examinations. The Prosecution Clinic gave me the confidence and skills to succeed in my chosen field, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone looking to practice criminal law."