Fall 2025 Class Descriptions
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.
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
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.
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 & 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.
Note:
Workers Rights Clinic II is LWVL586.
Wrongful Convictions (LWCR537)
Instructor(s): Staff
3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Concentration(s): Criminal Litigation (JD), Public Interest Law (JD), Criminal Law (LLMUS), Criminal Law (LLMG), Criminal Law (MSLS)
Wrongful Conviction is a universal problem that has received a great deal of attention from the media, legislatures, and courts around the world in recent years. This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the issues, case law, and legislation related to wrongful convictions, but also to give students a deep understanding of how to investigate and litigate these cases. The course will help prepare students for internships and careers in criminal law as both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Select students who successfully complete the course may be chosen for internships with an innocence organization where they will have the opportunity to work on real cases. Grades will be based on in-class presentations and a final exam.