Politicians and Corporations Attack Law School Clinics

by: PI Lawyer

Tue Apr 06, 2010 at 02:29 PM CDT

Law school clinics are programs run by law schools that provide students the opportunity to gain practical experience by taking real cases and representing actual clients in court or in other ways.  Typically, clinics focus on various areas of need, such as domestic violence, immigration, or civil rights.  Since they provide free services to marginalized populations, clinics naturally represent the "little guy," often against government or wealthy corporations.  The New York Times reports that corporations and politicians that are unhappy with law schools are now attempting to lobby state legislatures to cut off or restrict funding for clinics that sue the government or corporations, as well as force clinics to disclose information about their clients and work.