Real Clients

Anoush Lancaster (Class of 2009)

How do Clinical Classes Differ from Job Experiences?

Law office interns tend to focus on legal research and memo-writing, usually on small portions of larger cases. Students in clinical classes generally have extensive contact with clients and witnesses and handle entire cases. In addition to allowing students greater responsibility, clinics are opportunities to reflect on and learn from practice - with the help of attorney instructors whose expertise is teaching and giving constructive feedback and in the company of other students undergoing similar experiences.

Clinics allow students to work directly with clients, helping them solve legal problems. Instead of being presented with a set of facts, students have to discover and shape the facts themselves by interviewing clients and witnesses and conducting their own investigations. Many clinics culminate in a trial or administrative hearing. All clinics are accompanied by seminars that give students rigorous skills training and stimulate thoughtful discussions about their cases and their responsibilities as lawyers.

Anoush Lancaster (CJC-Ind. Rep. Clinic, S08) is now an associate at the Veen Firm, P.C., in San Francisco.  She writes, in August of 2010:  "My experience at the Civil Justice Clinic was one of the most memorable and beneficial experiences I had while at Hastings.  I use the skills and training I received while at CJC on a near-daily basis.  Our firm specializes in catastrophic injuries.  As a result, my caseload involves severely injured clients, extensive medical records, numerous experts, and complicated legal issues.  Whether organizing my case plan, communicating with clients and experts, or reading medical records, the experience at CJC was invaluable."

How do Employers view Clinical Experience?

Employers know that students who have done clinical work are able to assume significant case responsibilities at an earlier stage than others. They also realize that students continuing in a practice area that they have already sampled are making career choices based on knowledge, not conjecture, and bring a stronger commitment to their jobs. Indeed, in often hard-pressed public and non-profit agencies, prior clinical or job experience is a virtual prerequisite to hiring.

Andrew Houston, Class of 2007

In August 2010, Drew Houston (CJC S07) wrote:  "My experience in the CJC was invaluable.  The CJC is really an essential ingredient for the local community and for the law school.  At the clinic, I had the opportunity to help people with their real life problems.  From helping a family deal with their slum lord to helping a young woman keep her SSI benefits, in my particular situation, each case was an opportunity to assist people of color fight against institutional racism.  Because of the experience I gained in the clinic, I was able not only to secure a post graduate job with Legal Services of Northern California, but also ultimately to be hired by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission."