Clinics
From helping veterans obtain the benefits they earned to briefing and arguing constitutional claims in the United States Courts of Appeals, our students have the opportunity to practice their lawyering skills and professional judgment while working closely with supervising attorneys. These professors are leaders in their fields who provide close mentorship, guided reflection, and exploration of professional responsibility, all within the context of client representation.
Our clinical program — featuring several clinics with approximately 180 seats available annually for 2L and 3L students — addresses the unmet legal needs of our community while strengthening skills and a sense of responsibility among our students. Their dedication to their clinic work is inspirational and forms a solid foundation for their future pro bono work and ethical practice of law.
For general inquiries regarding our Clinical Program please email or call 757-221-3780.
| Clinic | About the Clinic |
|---|---|
| Appellate & Supreme Court Clinic | Hands-on appellate practice in the Court of Appeals of Virginia. |
| Domestic Violence Clinic | Temporarily closed. Represents victims of domestic violence in court, with students interviewing victims and witnesses and providing advice and counsel. |
| Elder & Disability Law Clinic | Temporarily closed. Provides free, special needs–centered estate planning for individuals with disabilities and their families in the Williamsburg area, helping protect their access to public benefits. |
| Low Income Tax Clinic | Teaches federal tax practice and procedure through a seminar and a practicum, with students representing low-income Virginia taxpayers before the IRS and in U.S. Tax Court. |
| Immigration Clinic | Assists noncitizens with legal concerns while engaging in community outreach and education, policy research, and advocacy. |
| Innocence Project Clinic | Investigates and researches inmate claims of actual innocence. |
| Lewis B. Puller, Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic | Helps veterans with claims and appeals for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Its interdisciplinary approach and Military Mondays program have drawn national attention. |
| Special Education Advocacy Clinic | Gives families and other caregivers the legal and practical advice they need to navigate special education challenges. |
| Community Law Clinic | Represents Hampton Roads clients facing housing, consumer, family law, and criminal records-sealing issues, and partners with local groups on community education materials and presentations. |
As a clinic student, you will have the opportunity to practice your lawyering skills and judgment while still supported by faculty who can reflect on and analyze your performance and help you develop strategies for future improvement. Being in a clinic also allows you to consider issues of social justice and ethical-moral dilemmas that arise in the practice of law. For more information about our clinical opportunities, click here to contact [[lawclinics, Clinical Program Administrative Manager]].
Clinic Grading and Credits
William & Mary's clinics are for 2 or 3 credits and some are offered only on a pass-fail basis while others are graded.
William & Mary Law School’s Clinical Program relies on private donations and is grateful to the individuals, corporations and foundations who have provided generous support.
Donate to William & Mary Law School's Clinical Program
You can support our Clinical Program's mission to address the unmet legal needs of our community.