Course Descriptions - School of Law - University of San Diego

Fall 2024 Class Descriptions: Clinics and Externships

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Agency Externship I (LWVL596)

1-6 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD), Civil Litigation (JD), Criminal Litigation (JD), Employment and Labor Law (JD), Environmental and Energy Law (JD), Health Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD), Employment and Labor Law (LLMG), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMG)

The Agency Externship Program provides students the opportunity to gain valuable clinical legal experience for academic credit with a government agency or non-profit organization during the fall, spring or summer semesters. (The Agency Externship program only applies to government and nonprofit law office work, and does not allow students to receive academic credit for working in a private law firm). Students may enroll in the Agency Externship Course for 1 - 6 units of credit and must work during the academic session for a minimum of 50 hours per credit). For purposes of working at the externship placement, the academic session is from the official start of classes to the last day of final exams. Any externship placement work outside this time period may be counted towards pro bono hours, but not academic credit, provided the student is not receiving compensation for those hours.

Academic requirements include: mandatory orientation, student journals submitted to the professor relating to field placement work; discussion boards on legal practice topics; a three-five page reflective paper at the end of the semester; an externship work product for professor review; and on-site supervisor evaluation showing satisfactory completion of work experience. The externship is graded on a Pass-Fail basis. To review all the pertinent course resources, including course information, forms, and helpful internet links, please see the course syllabus.

If you have been offered and have accepted a field placement, meet the eligibility requirements, agree to meet the course obligations and want to register for the Externship course, fill out the Field Placement Form here. After you submit the form, the Office of Career and Professional Development will review it and send you an email with directions on how to enroll.

If you have any placements questions, read the FAQ's available at that link. If the FAQ's do not answer your field placement questions, contact the Office of Career and Professional Development at lawcareers@sandiego.edu.

Note:

There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the concentration web pages for more information. Contact the supervising professor (with a cc to Law Student Affairs) on whether your externship placement qualifies for Concentration consideration and, if so, for how many credits.

Additional Information: Handbook

Agency Externship II (LWVL590)

Instructor(s): Kimberly Gosling

Externship II students refine their skills, with a longer opportunity to specialize their training in a specific area. Externship II is limited to students who have previously worked at an Agency Externship placement. Please refer to Agency Externship I description for additional requirements. To review all the pertinent course resources, including course information, forms, and helpful internet links, please see the course syllabus.

Contact lawcareers@sandiego.edu with placement questions. Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the concentration web pages for more information. Contact Law Student Affairs to find out if your Agency Externship qualifies for a concentration.

Note:

Additional Information: Handbook

Appellate Clinic I (LWVL501)

Instructor(s): Michael Devitt, David Schlesinger

2 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD)
Prerequisite(s): Civil Procedure, Evidence or concurrent enrollment, Professional Responsibility or concurrently, Crim Pro I or concurrent enrollment

The Appellate Clinic is a semester-long clinic opportunity in which teams of students will enjoy the hands-on experience of litigating from start to finish an appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. During the fall semester, students will write an opening brief. Students who choose to continue take appellate clinic II in the spring semester students will write a reply brief and participate in oral argument. Additional periodic classroom sessions held throughout the academic year will focus upon appellate procedure and persuasive written and oral advocacy. From time to time, class sessions will feature guest speakers such as judges and local practicing attorneys. The Appellate Clinic is open only to third and fourth year law students; and students must have completed or take concurrently with the Appellate Clinic the following courses: Civil Procedure, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, and Criminal Procedure.

Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the Civil Litigation Concentration web page for more information.
Additional Information: Civil Litigation Concentration

Appellate Clinic II (LWVL509)

Instructor(s): Michael Devitt, David Schlesinger

California Regulatory Law Clinic I & II (LWVL502)

Instructor(s): Marcus Friedman

2 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Public Interest Law (JD)

This Clinic, offered in both the Fall and the Spring semesters, is highly recommended for the Public Interest Law Concentration. This Clinic is associated with California Regulatory Law and the Public Interest, and offers students an experiential opportunity to complement the knowledge gained from that class. In the Clinic, each student is assigned to monitor one or more state agencies, and does so by attending agency meetings (or watching them online), analyzing regulatory proposals, monitoring legislation and litigation impacting the agency, and more. In addition to drafting periodic tweets and blogs about their agencies during the semester, at the end of the semester students write articles on their agencies for publication in the California Regulatory Law Reporter, which appears on Westlaw. This enables students to achieve, prior to graduation, publication in the major state administrative law publication. Students in this Clinic meet with Prof. Fellmeth and Consumer Protection Policy Center staff weekly to inform and guide their work.

Note:

California Regulatory Clinic II is LWVL512

Child Advocacy Clinic: Policy I & II (LWVL505)

Instructor(s): Jessica Heldman

1-3 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD)
Prerequisite(s): Child Rights & Remedies

In this clinic, students work with Staff Attorneys at USD Law’s Children’s Advocacy Institute (CAI) on legislative and regulatory policy advocacy projects, impact litigation, public education, and/or policy research and analysis of issues that affect children, with an emphasis on children in the foster care system. Students are supervised by Professor Jessica Heldman and projects can include working remotely with CAI’s National Policy Advocate in Washington DC, CAI’s California Policy Advocate in Sacramento, or with local San Diego staff. This clinic provides an exciting opportunity to experience how laws and regulations get developed, enacted, and enforced on behalf of an important and vulnerable group of individuals. To participate, students must have completed or be enrolled in Child Rights and Remedies. Clinic slots are limited; contact Professor Jessica Heldman if interested.

Note:

This clinic may be applied as the required clinic for the Children's Rights Concentration (JD).

Child Advocacy Clinic : Policy II is LWVL 506

Additional Information: Children's Rights JD Concentration

Child Advocacy Practicum: Dependency I & II (LWVL507)

Instructor(s): Jessica Heldman

4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD)

Practicum students assist attorneys from Children’s Legal Services of San Diego (CLSSD) or Dependency Legal Services of San Diego (DLSSD) in the representation of abused and neglected children or their parents, respectively, in Dependency Court proceedings. Dependency Court is the division of Juvenile Court where all decisions are made as to the legal rights of children who are found to be abused or neglected. Dependency Practicum students are exposed to a wide variety of experiences, such as interviewing clients and witnesses; presenting evidence during bench trials; preparing briefs and memoranda; participating in Child and Family Team meetings, conducting field work with investigators; and making court appearances as necessary and appropriate. Dependency Practicum interns must work at least 16 hours per week with their supervising attorneys. In addition, practicum students meet as a group once weekly for a one-hour classroom component. Students must have completed or be enrolled in Evidence, Civil Procedure and Child Rights and Remedies. Practicum slots are limited; students must obtain a permission slip from Professor Jessica Heldman to register for the course.

Note: This practicum may be applied as the required clinic for the Children's Rights Concentration (JD).
Additional Information: Children's Rights JD Concentration

Note:

This clinic may be applied towards the three required clinic credits for the Children's Rights Concentration (JD).

Child Advocacy Clinic: Dependency II is LWVL 508

Additional Information: Children's Rights JD Concentration

Child Advocacy Practicum: Youth Justice I & II (LWVL503)

Instructor(s): Jessica Heldman

4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD)
Prerequisite(s): See course description

Practicum students work with the attorneys in the Juvenile Division of the Public Defender’s Office to represent youth in Juvenile Court proceedings to ensure their legal rights are protected and that they receive the appropriate educational, mental, physical, and other services they need if adjudicated delinquent. Practicum students interview clients, prepare and argue motions, and participate in San Diego’s specialized collaborative Behavioral Health Court program (BHC) for youth with mental health diagnoses who are on probation. Participation in BHC provides interns the opportunity to review comprehensive case files of youth to identify areas of need and then advocate on the youth’s behalf with regard to issues such as special education services, school placement, mental health assessments/services, and health care, in order to address underlying issues that might be contributing to the youth’s delinquency. Youth Justice Practicum interns must work at least 16 hours per week at the Public Defender’s Office. In addition, practicum students meet as a group once per week for a one-hour classroom component. Students must have completed or be enrolled in Evidence, Civil Procedure and Child Rights and Remedies. Practicum slots are limited; students must obtain a permission slip from Professor Jessica Heldman to register for the course.

Note:

This practicum may be applied as the required clinic for the Children's Rights Concentration (JD).

Please note this practicum has been renamed - it used to be named Child Advocacy Clinic: Youth Justice I & II

Child Advocacy Practicum: Youth Justice II is LWVL 504.

Additional Information: Children's Rights JD Concentration

Civil Clinic I (LWVL510)

Instructor(s): Joe Villasenor

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD)
Prerequisite(s): Civil Procedure
Recommended Class(es): Trial Advocacy

The Civil Clinic lays the foundation for your litigation career, providing you with the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in real cases pending before the San Diego Superior Court. Students take an active role under supervision of experienced attorneys to handle all facets of litigation including initial client interviews, providing counsel and advice, drafting complaints, discovery, law and motion practice, negotiating settlements, and in some cases even trial practice. Students certified by the State Bar will also have the opportunity to make court appearances and take or defend depositions. The cases tend to focus on vindicating individual consumer rights, consumer fraud matters, and ensuring clients are treated fairly in our judicial system by providing competent representations in just cases typically not taken by the private bar. Students meet weekly for in depth discussion of cases and instruction on the underlying substantive and procedural law. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.

Civil Clinic II (LWVL511)

Instructor(s): Joe Villasenor

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD)
Prerequisite(s): Civil Procedure, Evidence
Recommended Class(es): Trial Advocacy

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 student attorney on cases, and have additional opportunities to appear in court. 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.

Corporate Counsel Externship I (LWVL591)

Instructor(s): Beth Baier

1-6 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), Intellectual Property (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS), Intellectual Property (LLMUS), Intellectual Property Law (LLMG)

The Corporate Counsel Externship Program consists of a work component and a class component and allows students to earn academic credit working in the legal department of a corporation, company or other business entity. Students may also work in other departments of a corporation as long as they are supervised by an on-site licensed attorney. Students must work during the academic session for a minimum of 50 hours per unit of credit and may receive 1-6 credits. For purposes of corporate counsel externship work, the academic session is from the official start of classes to the last day of final exams. No academic credit may be earned for corporate counsel externship work outside this time period.

Academic requirements include: mandatory orientation, student journals submitted to the professor relating to the field placement work; discussion boards on legal practice topics; a four-six page reflective paper at the end of the semester, include a placement evaluation; an externship work product for professor review; and an on-site supervisor evaluation showing satisfactory completion of work experience. The Externship is graded on a Pass-Fail basis.

If you have been offered and have accepted a field placement, meet the eligibility requirements, agree to meet the course obligations and want to register for the Externship course, fill out the Field Placement Form. After you submit the form, the Office of Career and Professional Development will review it and send you an email with directions on how to enroll.

Note:

There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the JD concentrations web pages for more information. Contact Law Student Affairs to find out if your work in this externship qualifies for the concentration.

Additional Information: JD Concentrations Web Page, Email Law Student Affairs

Corporate Counsel Externship II (LWVL589)

Instructor(s): Beth Baier, Staff

Externship II students refine their skills, with a longer opportunity to specialize their training in a specific area. Externship II is limited to students who have previously worked at a Corporate Counsel Externship placement. Please refer to Corporate Counsel Externship I description for additional requirements.

Corporate Technology Externship (LWVL570)

Instructor(s): Anthony Mauriello

This externship places students at local law firms and companies to provide legal assistance to technology companies in the areas of corporate formation and transactions, contracts, employment, and related areas. Students will be supervised by attorneys at the local law firms and companies as well as the professors. Students begin work during the first week of the semester with companies and law firms, and meet one-on-one with the professors on a regular basis. This course includes a "boot camp," instructional time on the first and third Saturdays of the semester, from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm. An application process will be used to select students for the course. Students who registered for the course in previous academic years may not apply for the course for 2024-2025 without the permission of the Professor. Applications are due Friday, April 5.

Additional Information: Application

Education & Disability Clinic I (LWVL550)

Instructor(s): Margaret (Mimi) Adams

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD)

Students receive practical training and experience in client intake, interviewing and counseling, file review and analysis, and legal representation in diverse forums. Some cases proceed to mediation and due process hearings, where students argue the case with support from the supervising attorney. Weekly group meetings are combined with individual case conferences to provide intensive personal training in case management. The classroom component also includes an overview of statutes and cases in this growing area of civil law. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No prerequisites.

Note: This clinic may be applied towards the three required clinic credits for the Children's Rights Concentration (JD).
Additional Information: Children's Rights Concentration

Education & Disability Clinic II (LWVL551)

Instructor(s): Margaret (Mimi) Adams

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD)
Recommended Class(es): Special Education and the Law

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. No prerequisites. Recommended: Special Education and the Law.

Note: This clinic may be applied towards the three required clinic credits for the Children's Rights Concentration (JD). There are limitations on concentration eligibility. Please check the Health Law Concentration web page for more information.
Additional Information: Children's Rights Concentration, Health Law Concentration

Education Law Externship I & II (LWVL549)

Instructor(s): Margaret Dalton, Staff

2-4 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD), Public Interest Law (JD)

The Education Law Externship Program provides students the opportunity to gain valuable practice experience with an education law firm or a non-profit project focusing on education issues. In most cases, students have already identified a position and accepted it, but that is not required for Education Law Externship I. Students may enroll in Education Law Externship I and II for 1 - 6 units of credit and must work during the academic session for a minimum of 50 hours per credit (100 hours for 2 credits, 150 hours for 3 credits, 200 hours for 4 credits, 250 hours for 5 credits, and 300 hours for 6 credits). For purposes of the Education Law Externship, the academic session is from the official start of classes to the last day of final exams. Any externship work outside this time period may be counted towards pro bono hours, but not academic credit.

Academic requirements include a mandatory orientation, student submission of hours worked on a bi-weekly or monthly basis; a 750-word reflective paper at the end of the semester; an externship work product for professor review, assuming confidentiality is not an issue; and on-site supervisor evaluation showing satisfactory completion of work experience. The externship is graded on a Pass-Fail basis.

If you have accepted a field placement, meet the eligibility requirements, agree to meet the course obligations above and want to register for the Education Law Externship course, fill out the application below (see link). After you submit the form, the faculty
supervisor will review it and send you an email with additional information. If you do not have a placement or have any placement questions, please contact Professor Margaret Dalton at mdalton@sandiego.edu.

Note:

Please fill out the Education Law Externship Application Form and send it to Dean Dalton, who is the faculty supervisor for the Education Law Externship program.

Additional Information: Education Law Externship Application Form

Entrepreneurship Clinic I (LWVL520)

Instructor(s): Eric Austin, Liz Bui, Sebastian Lucier, Christopher William Turnbow

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS)

Through hands-on opportunities, students in the Entrepreneurship Clinic provide pro bono legal services to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their small businesses. The Entrepreneurship Clinic does not engage in litigation-related services; instead, it focuses on advising clients on legal matters relating to starting their business and assisting in drafting and filing necessary documents. Such work includes: determining the appropriate choice of business entity, assistance in obtaining necessary permits and licenses, advising on employment and independent contractor issues, drafting and reviewing commercial contracts and leases, assisting with the establishment of tax-exempt organizations, and interacting with the USPTO in filing trademarks, including a special fast-track program. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No prerequisites.

Entrepreneurship Clinic II (LWVL521)

Instructor(s): Eric Austin, Liz Bui, Sebastian Lucier, Christopher William Turnbow

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Business and Corporate Law (LLMUS)

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. No prerequisites.

Federal Tax Clinic I (LWVL555)

Instructor(s): Richard Carpenter

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Taxation (LLMUS), LLM in Taxation (LLMT)
Prerequisite(s): Tax I

This is a hands-on clinical course for students who wish to develop tax controversy skills. Students working under the supervision of the Tax Clinic supervising attorney will represent low income taxpayers in resolving their tax disputes with the IRS. Students will learn client interviewing skills, how to interact with IRS personnel, and how to effectively resolve a client’s federal tax dispute.

Federal Tax Clinic II (LWVL556)

Instructor(s): Richard Carpenter

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Taxation (LLMUS), LLM in Taxation (LLMT)
Prerequisite(s): Tax I

Federal Tax Clinic II interns refine their tax controversy legal skills by working on more complex tax clinic cases. Students may also have additional opportunities to appear in Tax Court or administrative IRS tax proceedings, depending upon their case assignments.

Immigration Clinic I (LWVL530)

Instructor(s): Tammy Lin

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): International Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD), International Law (LLMUS), LLM in International Law (LLMI)

Students gain practical experience through interviewing, counseling, and representing clients with immigration-related problems. Students have the opportunity to assist clients with a range of immigration issues such as removal cases (immigration court cases), asylum, naturalization, lawful permanent residency, derivative citizenship, deferred action, and U-visa and VAWA for domestic violence and abuse victims. Students may attend U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews and/or immigration court dates related to their client's applications for immigration relief. Students may also attend and participate in community immigration outreach. Weekly meetings are held with the clinic supervisor and other interns to discuss immigration law, practical application and casework. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No Prerequisites.

Immigration Clinic II (LWVL531)

Instructor(s): Tammy Lin

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): International Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD), International Law (LLMUS), LLM in International Law (LLMI)

IP Externship (LWVL532)

Instructor(s): Anthony Mauriello

1-6 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Intellectual Property (JD), Intellectual Property (LLMUS), Intellectual Property Law (LLMG)

This course places students at local law firms and companies to provide legal assistance to local individuals (inventors, artists, musicians, and others) and tech and media companies in the areas of patent prosecution, patent searching, trademark prosecution, filing of provisional and utility patents, intellectual property litigation, intellectual property transactions, and related areas (including copyright and trade secret law). Students will be supervised by attorneys at the local law firms and companies as well as the professor. Students begin work during the first week of the semester with companies and law firms and meet one-on-one with the professor on a regular basis. Additionally, the course begins with a “boot camp” that meets twice for three hours at the beginning of the semester (days and times TBD), covering the core practical aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret law. There are no scheduled classes during the remainder of the semester. An application process will be used to select students for the course. Students who registered for the course in previous academic years may not apply for the course for 2024-2025 without the permission of Professor Ted Sichelman. Applications (here -- see also link below) are due Friday, April 5. An information in-person and Zoom session will be held on Wednesday, March 27, from noon - 1 pm, and will also be recorded (see upcoming Sidebars for details).

Application Link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/afoco5l0tut3pu7ye7je6/IP-Corp-Tech-Externships-Application-2024-25-Final.docx?rlkey=nhlbf30zjl34e9e92flt6ab0c&dl=0

Additional Information: Application

Judicial Externship (LWVL598)

Instructor(s): M. Margaret McKeown, Staff

1 - 6 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Children's Rights (JD), Civil Litigation (JD), Criminal Litigation (JD), Employment and Labor Law (JD), Environmental and Energy Law (JD), Intellectual Property (JD), International Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD)
Prerequisite(s): Preferred: First-Year Curriculum, Trial Advocacy- (trial-court placements), Criminal Procedure (appellate-court placements), Criminal Procedure (magistrate judge placements), Criminal Procedure (criminal-dept. placements)

The Judicial Externship Program allows students to receive academic credit for working with judges in state or federal trial or appellate courts. Students must work 50 hours per unit of credit, and may enroll for 1-4 credits. In addition to the work component of the program, students are required to participate in an online classroom component through the Canvas system. The online classroom component consists primarily of the posting of biweekly journals summarizing the externship work during each two-week period. The Faculty Supervisor for the Judicial Externship course will review, comment, and score each posted journal. Students can secure their own externship position or can meet with Professor Ed Ursin for guidance in securing a placement. The externship is graded on a pass/fail basis. Students must receive approval from Professor Ursin to register for this program.

Note:

There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the concentration web pages for more information.

Additional Information: JD Concentration Web Page

Law Firm Externship (LWVL559)

Instructor(s): Kimberly Gosling

1-6 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD), Criminal Litigation (JD), Criminal Law (LLMUS), Criminal Law (LLMG)

The Law Firm Externship (previously “Law Firm Specialty Externship”) program gives students the opportunity to gain academic credit for work in an approved law firm during the fall or spring semesters. All placements are subject to approval by the Faculty Supervisor, and students must receive approval before enrolling in the course. Students may earn 1-6 units of credit for work performed between the start of classes and the last day of final exams; work performed outside this time period does not count towards academic credit requirements.

Students who previously enrolled in Law Firm Specialty Externship I or II may enroll in Law Firm Externship Academic requirements include: mandatory orientation; time logs; reflection papers and other written work assigned by the Faculty Supervisor; participation in one small group meeting with the Faculty Supervisor; and a satisfactory evaluation by the on-site supervisor. The externship is graded on a pass-fail basis.

Note:

For more information or to apply for enrollment, contact Professor Kimberly Gosling (kgosling@sandiego.edu).

Public Interest Law Clinic (LWVL544)

Instructor(s): Marcus Friedman

1-3 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Environmental and Energy Law (JD), Health Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMUS), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMG)

Students who enjoy California Regulatory Law & the Public Interest frequently go on to take Public Interest Law Clinic, in which they may design their own writing or advocacy project related to regulatory or public interest law. In the past, these projects have included written critiques of agencies or agency programs; petitioning an agency to adopt regulations; drafting legislation; participating in litigation to enforce the state's "sunshine statutes"; or submitting amicus curiae briefs on public interest issues pending appeal. Students interested in Public Interest Law Clinic must secure a permission slip prior to register from Prof. Fellmeth or Prof. Gramme. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.

Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the Environmental and Energy Law Concentration and Health Law Concentration web pages for more information.
Additional Information: Environmental and Energy Law Concentration, Health Law

State Income Tax Clinic I (LWVL560)

Instructor(s): Mengjun He

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Taxation (LLMUS), LLM in Taxation (LLMT)

This tax litigation clinic, also known as the "Tax Appeals Assistance Program (TAAP) - Franchise and Income Tax”, is a joint effort between the USD Legal Clinics and the Taxpayer Rights Advocate Office at the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). Under supervision of an attorney from the FTB’s Taxpayer Rights Advocate Office, students assist taxpayers with state income tax appeals before the Office of Tax Appeals (OTA) against FTB. Students receive legal practice and skills training, including identifying legal issues, conducting tax research, communicating with clients, gathering and identifying evidence, drafting legal briefs, and representing clients/taxpayers in negotiations with the FTB and at oral hearings before OTA.

State Income Tax Clinic II (LWVL561)

Instructor(s): Mengjun He

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Taxation (LLMUS), LLM in Taxation (LLMT)
Prerequisite(s): Tax I

State Sales & Use Tax Clinic I (LWVL562)

Instructor(s): Staff

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Taxation (LLMUS), LLM in Taxation (LLMT)

This clinic is a joint effort between USD Legal Clinics and the California State Board of Equalization (BOE). Under the supervision of an attorney from the BOE's Taxpayers' Rights Advocate Office, students will represent clients who are appealing California Sales and Use Tax determinations (tax bills). Students will have the opportunity to gain practical legal skills including client interview and counseling, evidence gathering, preparing legal briefs, and actual negotiation with auditors and attorneys. Furthermore, when necessary, students will have the opportunity to represent clients in a litigation setting at Appeals Conferences (informal hearings) and Oral Hearings (similar to court trials).

State Sales & Use Tax Clinic II (LWVL563)

Instructor(s): Staff

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Taxation (LLMUS), LLM in Taxation (LLMT)

Veterans Clinic I (LWVL580)

Instructor(s): Alison Brown, Christopher William Turnbow

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Health Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD)

Students gain practical training and real world experience through representation of veteran clients and their families on a variety of legal issues. Matters include: representing clients who have disputes with predatory lenders and for-profit educational institutions over the use of GI Bill funds and related loans; assisting veterans seeking to upgrade their characterization of discharge from the military; and representing veterans appealing disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Students provide advice, identify potential claims, and in some cases are able to advocate for clients in civil litigation, arbitration, or before governmental review boards. Weekly group meetings are combined with individual case conferences to provide intensive personal training in litigation techniques, legal strategy and case management. The classroom component also includes an overview of applicable law and procedure necessary to assist veterans in these matters. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.

Veterans Clinic II (LWVL581)

Instructor(s): Alison Brown, Christopher William Turnbow

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Health Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD)

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 student 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.

Washington DC Externship Program (LWVL594)

Instructor(s): Staff

5-9 credit(s), P/F Graded

The University of San Diego School of Law offers a unique educational experience that enables students to work in a semester-long externship in Washington, D.C. The USD Law Washington D.C. Externship Program is an experiential way of understanding the role of government, public policy or agency lawyers or advocates in our legal system. Students who work in government or related entities in Washington, D.C. will ultimately acquire an enhanced perspective and more sophisticated view of the role of government in law and society. Under the program, students will work, under supervision of an on-site attorney, for a government, or public interest agency, non-profit trade association or think tank, or with a judge; students will also be enrolled in a program of graded coursework. In addition to practical legal training, the program allows students to cement new professional contacts and enhance their professional profile. Second and third year students in good academic standing may apply. (Students within the academic supervision program must receive permission to apply for the program from Law Student Affairs). Applicants should inquire about implications of an externship with respect to other law school activities (e.g., law review and law journal writing, moot court, clinical opportunities, spring recruiting, etc.) Students will earn at least 10 credits under the program. Seven pass/fail credits will be earned through the work component of the externship (students work 50 hours per unit of credit.)Students must enroll for all components of the Washington, D.C., program. It is recommended that students work together with Career and Professional Development to locate semester-long placements based on individual student interests and career aspirations. The Dean's office determines the suitability of the placement. Students enrolling in the program will pay all standard tuition and fees required by the law school.

Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the JD concentration web pages for more information. Email the Office for Law Student Affairs to find out if your work qualifies for the concentration.
Additional Information: JD Concentrations Web Page, Email Law Student Affairs

Women's Legal Clinic I (LWVL583)

Instructor(s): Meredith Levin

2-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD)
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.

Women's Legal Clinic II (LWVL584)

Instructor(s): Meredith Levin

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD)

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.

Workers' Rights Clinic I & 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.

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