The commitment to experiential learning opportunities for students is woven into the culture at McGeorge. In addition to training tomorrow's legal advocates, our pioneering legal clinics deliver quality pro bono representation to underserved community members. Our students routinely earn impressive victories on behalf of their clients, both in individual cases and in public policy areas that benefit the larger community.

Our clinic students are enriched both academically and personally by helping members of our community navigate a variety of legal challenges. Students learn to apply legal theory to practice, develop professional lawyering skills, and perhaps most importantly, become reflective practitioners and lifelong learners.

Our on-campus clinics (Immigration Law Clinic, Elder and Health Law Clinic, Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic, and Bankruptcy Clinic), referred to collectively as "Community Legal Services (CLS)" have been serving our community since 1964. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors honored CLS with the “Heroes of Human Services” award in 2018.

McGeorge School of Law participated in Mock Legislative Hearings in the California State Capitol as part of the California Lobbying & Politics course taught by Rex Frazier '00.

As certified law students, CLS students are placed in the role of an attorney in a law office setting serving low-income clients in the areas of Immigration, Bankruptcy, Elder & Health Law, and Homeless Advocacy. Under faculty supervision, students take major responsibility for real cases ranging from advice and counsel, to drafting documents and litigating cases in state and federal courts. These real-life experiences and issues that lawyers face in their legal careers are then discussed in an academic setting.

In addition to Community Legal Services, McGeorge has established three additional off-campus clinics, each with an important community partners where students do much of their work off-campus. We have one of only two Federal Defender Clinics in the country where our students handle bench and jury trials in federal court. Students in the Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic mediate civil rights claims filed by prison inmates in Federal Court. It was awarded the Ninth Circuit ADR Award in recognition of its impact in resolving 1983 Civil Rights Act claims.

Legislative and Public Policy Clinic students gain practical experience in researching, drafting and pursuing adoption of California state legislative and regulatory proposals on behalf of community clients in need of a state law change.

Legal Clinic Honors

Legal Clinic Honors students will receive a certificate and special recognition in the commencement program.

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Applications

An information fair for interested students will be held in late March 2024.

Applications must be filed by May 31, 2024 for the 2024-2025 Academic Year. Late Applications will be accepted only if there is space available.

A tour of the facility
Community Legal Services

As certified law students, CLS students are placed in the role of an attorney in a law office setting serving low-income clients in the areas of Immigration, Bankruptcy, Elder & Health Law, and Homeless Advocacy. 

Legal Clinics News

Student testimonial about the Bankruptcy Clinic
Selena Martinez, '24

Selena Martinez, '24, said that her experience at the Bankruptcy Clinic has been the highlight of her law school career. Martinez discusses her involvement with the Bankruptcy Clinic and how it allowed her to draw on her experiences in the classroom and refine skills for practical experience. Martinez has been able to help two clients receive their discharge and assisted in all aspects of their cases. 

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A woman poses for a photo outside of a building
Student testimonial about the Bankruptcy Clinic
Crystal Rodriguez, '24

Crystal Rodriguez, '24, discusses a life-changing moment that eventually led her to wanting to go to law school. Rodriguez also discusses how her involvement in the Bankruptcy Clinic solidified the desire to practice bankruptcy law post-graduation. 

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STUDENT TESTIMONIAL ABOUT THE ELDER AND HEALTH LAW CLINIC
Tony Infante, '24

Tony Infante, '24, shared in a recent blog the invaluable experience he found in McGeorge’s Elder and Health Law Clinic. The Clinic provided him with practical experience that has allowed him to apply his legal knowledge in real-world scenarios.

“The Elder and Health Law Clinic has given me the necessary foundation a successful attorney should have by allowing me to build my confidence and practice in the real world,” Infante said.

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Student testimonial about the Elder and Health Law Clinic
Ismat Dajani, '24

Ismat Dajani, '24, shared his experience working in the Elder and Health Law Clinic. In a blog post, Dajani discusses how the Clinic gave him fulfilling, real-world lawyering experience. 

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Student testimonial about the Federal Defender Clinic
Jenny Salgado, ’23

Jenny Salgado, ’23, said that McGeorge School of Law’s Federal Defender Clinic allowed her to gain invaluable trial advocacy experience during her time in law school. Salgado explained that the Clinic allowed her to gain real-life experiences with clients who want to be heard, understood, and seen. 

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Student testimonial about the Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic
Ismael Perez, '23

Ismael Perez, '23, said that advocating for people experiencing homelessness is fulfilling work. Perez was a Certified Law Student in the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law’s Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic for a year.

“I am proud of the work I have provided and what it means for my clients, but I am even more excited for the Clinic's continued success and all the lives that will be touched by McGeorge students in the future,” Perez said. 

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Student testimonial about the Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic
Lyndsay Anderson, '24

Lyndsay Anderson, '24, advocates for people experiencing homelessness through her involvement in McGeorge School of Law's Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic. Anderson said working in the Clinic has been one of the most rewarding experiences for her during law school thus far. 

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Student testimonial about the Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic
Tara Paris, '24

Tara Paris, '24, reflects on the rewarding experience of working for the Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic, which is run by Professor Ron Hochbaum and Staff Attorney Tori Larson. Paris’ desire to learn more about systematic issues regarding poverty led to a search for ways to help; and the Clinic was an opportunity to do so.

“It’s both encouraging and humbling to see the work that’s currently underway by advocates to help those across the state who have been most impacted by homelessness and housing insecurity,” Paris said. 

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Student testimonial about the Immigration Law Clinic
Lydia Maldonado, '24

Lydia Maldonado, '24, worked in the Immigration Law Clinic during the summer of 2023 and shared that it was among the most rewarding things of her life. Maldonado became involved with the Immigration Law Clinic because she wants to make an impact on the community.

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Student testimonial about the Immigration Law Clinic
Maritza Ortiz-Urrutia, '24

Maritza Ortiz-Urrutia, '24, became involved in McGeorge School of Law’s Immigration Law Clinic during the summer of 2023. In a blog post, Ortiz-Urrutia discusses her experience and how the Immigration Law Clinic has provided her with the practical skills to help the community through the challenging obstacles of immigration law. 

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Student testimonial about the Legislative and Public Policy Clinic
Jaime Bowker, ’23

Jaime Bowker, ’23, believes that McGeorge School of Law’s Legislative and Public Policy Clinic is an unparalleled, foot-in-the-door experience for law students. Bowker said she honed her oral and written advocacy skills through the Clinic.

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Student testimonial about the Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic
Madison Sykes, '24

Madison Sykes, '24, had the opportunity to serve as a co-mediator alongside federal judges between incarcerated individuals and the Attorney General through McGeorge School of Law’s Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic. Along with developing professional skills, she was reminded of the importance of humility, empathy, and active listening.

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Student testimonial about the Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic
Malaya Siy, '24

Through McGeorge School of Law’s Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic, Malaya Siy, '24, had the opportunity to mediate civil rights cases on behalf of incarcerated clients. Siy said she was able to build relationships with client and help provide them with equitable justice.

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Questions?

Contact Linda Coco, Director, Legal Clinics | Email