Course Descriptions - School of Law - University of San Diego

Summer 2025 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 (LWVL596)

Instructor(s): Kimberly Gosling, Staff

1-6 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), Children's Rights (JD), Civil Litigation (JD), Criminal Litigation (JD), Employment and Labor Law (JD), Environmental and Energy Law (JD), Health Law (JD), Intellectual Property (JD), International Law (JD), Public Interest Law (JD), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Criminal Law (LLMG), Employment and Labor Law (LLMG), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMG), Intellectual Property Law (LLMG), LLM in International Law (LLMI), Business and Corporate Law (MSLS), Criminal Law (MSLS), Intellectual Property Law (MSLS), International Law (MSLS), Taxation (MSLS)

The Agency Externship program gives students the opportunity to gain academic credit for work in an approved government agency or non-profit organization during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. (Note: this program applies only to government and nonprofit law office work; students who wish to receive academic credit for work at a private law firm should apply for the Law Firm Externship program.) All placements are subject to approval by the professor, 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 Agency Externship, Agency Externship I, or Agency Externship II may enroll in Agency Externship. Academic requirements include: mandatory orientation, time logs, reflection papers, and a satisfactory evaluation by the on-site supervisor. Academic requirements may be changed at the discretion of the professor. The externship is graded on a pass/fail basis.

If you have been offered and have accepted a qualifying position, agree to meet the course obligations, and want to register for the course, fill out the Field Placement Form here. After you submit the form, the Law Careers office will review it and send you an email with directions on how to enroll. If you have any questions, read the FAQs available at the link to the form. If the FAQs do not answer your questions, contact the Law Careers office at lawcareers@sandiego.edu.

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.

Child Advocacy Policy Clinic: 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).

Additional Information: Children's Rights JD Concentration

Civil Clinic I (LWVL510)

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 or Experiential Advocacy Practicum

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.

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

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, Trial Advocacy or Practicum, Civil Clinic I

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, Staff

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), 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.

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:

Field Placement Form

Additional Information: JD Concentrations Web Page, Field Placement Form, 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.

Additional Information: Field Placement Program Page

Education & Disability Clinic I (LWVL550)

Instructor(s): Margaret (Mimi) Adams

1-4 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 & Disablility 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)

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.

Entrepreneurship Clinic I (LWVL520)

Instructor(s): Sebastian Lucier, Eric Austin, Liz Bui, 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), Business and Corporate Law (MSLS)

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.

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.

Entrepreneurship Clinic II (LWVL521)

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

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

1-4 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 tax 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 also how to effectively resolve a client’s federal tax dispute. The clinic class is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.

Federal Tax Clinic II (LWVL556)

Instructor(s): Richard Carpenter, Staff

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 I

Federal Tax Clinic II is a hands-on clinical tax course for students who wish to continue refining their tax controversy skills by working on more complex federal tax clinic cases under the supervision of the Tax Clinic supervising attorney. Students will continue representing low income taxpayers in resolving their tax disputes with the IRS. The clinic class is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.

Immigration Clinic I (LWVL530)

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)

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)

Judicial Externship (LWVL598)

Instructor(s): Staff

1-6 credit(s), P/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD), Criminal Litigation (JD), Employment and Labor Law (JD)
Prerequisite(s): Preferred: First-Year Curriculum, Trial Advocacu-(trial court placements), Criminal Procedure (appellate court placements), Criminal Procedure (magistrate judge placements), Criminal Procedure (ciminal 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: Civil Litigation Concentration, Criminal Litigation Concentration

State Income Tax Clinic I (LWVL560)

Instructor(s): Mengjun He

1-4 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.

Note:

This course is being taught remotely for the Summer session.

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)

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.

Note:

This course is being taught remotely for the Summer session.

State Sales & Use Tax Clinic I (LWVL562)

Instructor(s): Staff

1 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).

Note:

This course is being taught remotely for the Summer session.

State Sales & Use Tax Clinic II (LWGC563)

Instructor(s): Staff

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

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.

Note:

This course is being taught remotely for the Summer session.

Veterans Clinic I (LWVL580)

Instructor(s): Alison Brown, Christopher William Turnbow

1-4 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded
Requirement(s): Experiential
Concentration(s): 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 Veterans Administration. 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): 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 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.

Women's Legal Clinic I (LWVL583)

Instructor(s): Meredith Levin

1-4 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.

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.

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