Prospective Students

The Free Speech Clinic is a two-semester long (fall and spring), graded class, with two credits awarded each semester. Students work to identify cases of interest, interview clients, research legal issues, draft motions and memoranda, and all other aspects of litigation. Following are some examples of matters the Clinic has worked on:

  • Reducing Restrictions on Demonstrations on Public Property
  • Defending Student Expression on Public and private College Campuses
  • Providing Access to Improperly Sealed Judicial Records
  • Preventing Punishment for Criticizing a Police Officer

Students accepted into the Clinic receive weekly classroom instruction by the Clinic Fellow and Director, as well as regular guest speakers, on a wide array of contemporary free speech issues. These visitors include scholars, experts, practitioners, and participants in free speech cases. Students learn about procedural and substantive issues relevant to their cases, federal and state court decisions, and developments in First Amendment law.  Click here to see a list of past Clinic speakers.

Students are selected to participate in the Clinic through an application process prior to class registration. To be eligible, students must submit a 500-word statement of interest, resume, and law school transcript. Preference is given to students who have completed Constitutional Law I. There are no prerequisites.