Clinical and Experiential Learning

A Robust and Unique Clinical Program

Yale Law School has one of the most robust clinical programs in the country. Unlike most other schools, students can begin taking clinics—and appearing in court—during the spring of their first year. Clinic students represent real clients with real legal problems (not in simulations or role-playing exercises), and are supervised by senior faculty members, with whom they often develop close and lasting mentoring relationships.

About 80% of our students take advantage of this unique opportunity to combine theory with practice, and many students take more than one clinic. With more than 30 clinics, there are almost always places available.

Opportunities abound in the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization—a single law firm that currently houses ten clinics, including the Sol and Lillian Goldman Family Advocacy for Children and Youth Clinic, the Samuel Jacobs Criminal Justice Clinic, and the Ludwig Center for Community and Economic Development.  In addition to the complete list of clinics and projects here, a number of other centers and programs also offer experiential learning opportunities. Simulation courses are also offered in such areas as Appellate Advocacy, Corporate Crisis Management, and Negotiating and Drafting M&A Agreements.