Spring 2026 Class Descriptions: Clinics and Externships
Women's Legal Clinic I (LWVL583)
Instructor(s): Meredith Levin
2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Recommended Class(es): Family Law, Human Trafficking
Students gain practical training and real world experience through representation of individual clients on a variety of legal issues. The clinic will initially serve the family law needs of survivors of human trafficking in a variety of representative matters including: domestic violence restraining orders, child custody, and dissolution. Students provide advice, identify potential legal issues, and in some cases are able to advocate for clients in court proceedings. Weekly class seminar meetings are combined with individual case conferences to provide intensive personal training in litigation techniques, legal strategy, case management and client-centered lawyering. The classroom component also includes an overview of applicable law and procedure necessary to assist clients in family law matters. Recommended: Family Law, Human Trafficking. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.
Students interested in working in the clinics for either academic credit or as a volunteer must first fill out and submit the USD Legal Clinics Application for Law Students . Clinic staff will review your application and confirm enrollment.
Women's Legal Clinic II (LWVL584)
Instructor(s): Meredith Levin
1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Clinic II interns refine their skills, working on complex cases and cases already begun as Clinic I interns. Students may mentor first time clinic participants, serve as lead attorney on cases, and have additional opportunities to appear in court or administrative proceedings. Supervising attorneys/adjunct professors provide individualized coaching, based on the Clinic II interns’ needs and interests. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Clinic I in the same clinic. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.
Students interested in working in the clinics for either academic credit or as a volunteer must first fill out and submit the USD Legal Clinics Application for Law Students . Clinic staff will review your application and confirm enrollment.
Workers' Rights Clinic I (LWVL585)
Instructor(s): Maria Tapia-Hernandez
1-2 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Employment and Labor Law (JD), Employment and Labor Law (LLMG)
In cooperation with San Francisco’s Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center, the Workers’ Rights Clinic trains law students in practical skills in employment and labor law, while providing free legal advice to low-income workers in San Diego County. Class includes instruction in labor and employment law, followed by on-site client interviews and advice. Interns, along with the supervising attorney, analyze the client’s situation, identify legal issues and determine what remedies the client might pursue. Students then discuss the findings with the client, who has the option of returning for further advice. Students may also have an opportunity to represent clients in Unemployment Insurance hearings in administrative court. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.
Students interested in working in the clinics for either academic credit or as a volunteer must first fill out and submit the USD Legal Clinics Application for Law Students . Clinic staff will review your application and confirm enrollment.
Workers' Rights Clinic II (LWVL585)
Instructor(s): Maria Tapia-Hernandez
1-2 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Employment and Labor Law (JD), Employment and Labor Law (LLMG)
In cooperation with San Francisco’s Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center, the Workers’ Rights Clinic trains law students in practical skills in employment and labor law, while providing free legal advice to low-income workers in San Diego County. Class includes instruction in labor and employment law, followed by on-site client interviews and advice. Interns, along with the supervising attorney, analyze the client’s situation, identify legal issues and determine what remedies the client might pursue. Students then discuss the findings with the client, who has the option of returning for further advice. Students may also have an opportunity to represent clients in Unemployment Insurance hearings in administrative court. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. The spring clinic is for continuing students.
Students interested in working in the clinics for either academic credit or as a volunteer must first fill out and submit the USD Legal Clinics Application for Law Students . Clinic staff will review your application and confirm enrollment.