Help provide legal services to people in need in this one-semester program. You’ll learn about substantive areas of public interest law and issues such as poverty, race, and access to justice in the seminar, then put what you’ve learned to work in the field, handling civil cases each week.
Real Life. Real Law. What You’ll Do.
While each fellowship placement is unique, here’s some of the work you can expect to be involved in.
Work directly with clients
Draft legal documents
Conduct Research
Observe or assist in court
Manage case files
Where You’ll Work
Placements include the New England Law Clinical Law office, as well as off-site placements such as Greater Boston Legal Services. You’ll handle civil cases under Rule 3:03 of the Supreme Judicial Court, experiencing firsthand what it’s like to be a public interest lawyer.
Seminar & Clinic Details
The Seminar
You’ll attend a weekly, two-hour seminar (two credits) focusing on public interest law and the public interest lawyer. Classes, or units of classes, will include issues such as:
- Introduction to substantive areas of public interest law (e.g., family law, housing law, government benefits)
- Ethics (e.g., issues affecting public interest lawyers, regulation of the profession, and delivery of legal services)
- Clients (unmet legal needs, issues of poverty, race, and gender)
- The courts (dispensing justice to persons of limited means)
- Legal education (the role of law schools in preparing lawyers for the practice)
Issues from students’ fieldwork will be incorporated into the classes to strengthen the connections between classroom and fieldwork, as well as theory and practice.
Fieldwork
You’ll work 5 hours (one credit), 10 hours (two credits), or 15 hours (three credits) each week in your placement. Please note: The one-credit option is only available to Evening and Day Part-Time program students.
Requisites
Evidence or Trial Practice are prerequisites/corequisites for this course, which satisfy New England Law’s experiential education requirement.
Stories of Success
“Choosing a law school with a part-time program enabled me to pursue my dream of becoming an attorney and provided the flexibility to build my Résumé through full-time internships, clinics, and employment.”
“I was able to experience what life is really like as counsel for an international corporation.”
“Our graduates stay, grow their careers, and help build our communities. We’re woven into the fabric of New England.”
“There are hundreds of law schools to choose from, but very few of them leave the impression New England Law does on its students.”
Frequently Asked Questions
• When can I take this clinic?
You’re eligible to take this seminar and clinic or another Clinic & Externships in your second year. You may take up to four clinics before you graduate
• What does this clinic entail?
You will complete either five hours (one credit), 10 hours (two credits), or 15 hours (three credits) of fieldwork per week and attend a weekly two-hour seminar (two credits) for a three-, four-, or five-credit package. Please note: The one-credit option is only available to Evening and Day Part-Time program students.
• Does this course satisfy the experiential education requirement?
Yes, it satisfies New England Law’s experiential education requirement.
Related Clinics, Concentrations and Experiences
The Lawyering Process
Public Interest Law Concentration
Summer Fellowship Program
Advocacy & Skills Teams
Pro Bono
Family Law Clinic
Center for Law and Social Responsibility
Government Lawyer Clinic
Federal Courts Clinic
Criminal Procedure II Clinic
Administrative Law Clinic
Contact Us
New England Law Admissions staff is here to help you through the application process. If you have any questions, please complete the form below or contact the Office of Admissions at admit@nesl.edu or call 617-422-7210.