Clinical Programs

An important hallmark of a Hastings legal education is the exposure students get experiencing and learning from lawyering firsthand. Through its many clinic opportunities, judicial externships, and skills-based simulation courses, Hastings offers a rich variety of programs which allow our students to begin mastering the art of lawyering.

Legal Clinics

In clinical legal education courses, students gain insights into what is expected of them as lawyers and how to maximize their abilities to learn from their experiences. They also confront issues of social justice and have opportunities to contribute to the common good. More than 20 members of the full-time Hastings faculty, plus adjuncts, regularly teach in the clinical education curriculum. The breadth of clinical electives at Hastings means that most students are able to get the clinic, externship, or simulation course of their choice.

In-House Clinics

Full-time Hastings faculty serve as both the student's supervising attorney and classroom teacher, which yields a close integration of theory and practice as well as a strong mentoring approach to legal training. Students represent real clients under the supervision of faculty members. Students attend an accompanying seminar, where discussions feature examples from and brainstorming about client cases.

Out-Placement Clinics

The Out-Placement Clinics at Hastings allow students to work primarily in governmental and non-profit law offices under direct supervision of practicing attorneys. Faculty members conduct an accompanying seminar that focuses on relevant substantive law and legal skills.

• Criminal Practice Clinic
• Environmental Law Clinic
• Immigrants' Rights Clinic
• Legal Externship Program
• Legislation Clinic
• Local Government Law Clinic
• Workers' Rights Clinic
  

Judicial Externships

Hastings has one of the most extensive judicial externship programs in the country. Students work with federal and state court judges at the trial and appellate levels. Hastings' location in San Francisco's Civic Center is within a few blocks of state and federal courts. Each year, about 120 students spend a semester as an extern.

Simulation Courses

Courses are taught by both full-time faculty members and adjunct faculty members who are practicing attorneys. In-class exercises give students real-life situations and simulate different advocacy, counseling, and/or transactional planning roles. Each year there are approximately 275-300 places for students in these courses; enrollment is typically 16-24 students per section. Most students are able to get the simulation course of their choice.

• Appellate Advocacy (Civil)
• Contract Writing and Analysis
• Mediation
• Negotiation and Mediation: Process and Practice
• Negotiation and Settlement
• Pre-Trial Practice (Civil)
• Problem Solving and Professional Judgment in Practice
• Roles and Ethics in Practice
• Trial Advocacy I
• Trial Advocacy II
• Trial Objections