We encourage students transferring to Berkeley Law to participate in the Samuelson Clinic during their first or second semester at Berkeley Law, and we do our best to reserve a limited number of spots each Fall for transfer students.
Through the Samuelson Clinic, students have the opportunity to provide legal assistance on important social justice issues related to law and technology such as copyright, privacy, free speech, consumer protection, and other information policy issues. Students may counsel small or large clients; file amicus briefs and administrative petitions; draft white papers and related materials to educate the public on technology issues; comment on proposed legislation and regulations; produce guidelines on new and emerging technologies; or conduct cutting-edge research, often in conjunction with non-profits, experts, or graduate students from other disciplines on campus. Each project offers different opportunities, and projects change from semester to semester.
Samuelson Clinic students also participate in a seminar that joins the theory and practice of law. In the seminar, students learn and discuss the practice and theory of public interest representation, the ethical issues involved in client representation, and “workshop” their cases with the class.
Students report time and again that clinical experiences give meaning and excitement to their law school program. Transfer students who have participated in the Samuelson Clinic in past years have been highly successful, and have extolled the experience not only for the practical skills they gained, but also for the feeling of community engendered by working closely with other Clinic students.
More information about the Samuelson Clinic.
If you are interested in applying, please contact Amy Utstein.