The Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics were founded in 1971, and were dedicated in 1991 to acknowledge the generous support of Jacob Burns (LLB '24, Hon. LLC '70). A longtime trustee of the University, Burns (1902-1993) was renowned as a lawyer, artist, and philanthropist. GW Law is proud to honor this significant contribution to the "uplifting and maintenance of the legal profession," and his fearless advocacy of the principle of "equal justice under the law."
The Clinics, an educational curriculum as well as a public interest legal practice with GW Law, provide a deep experiential learning environment for students as they represent clients and hone their skills. Clinic students, who are certified to practice as lawyers in a range of jurisdictions and at both the local and federal level, work directly with individual and organizational clients in matters involving intellectual property protection, transactional law, family law, appellate litigation, housing and health law, and more than a dozen practice areas in between. Students enjoy close supervision by law school faculty, gain real world lawyering experience, and engage in professional development that increases their job marketability.
The Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics operate under the direction of Associate Dean Laurie S. Kohn. The Managing Attorney & Associate Program Director for the Clinics is Andrea R. Johnson, and the Administrative Manager is Milagros Tudela.
Contact Us: 2000 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20052 | 202.994.7463 | Hours: Monday-Friday; 9 am-5 pm
*Clinic not offered in Fall 2025
Administrative Law Issues & Appeals Clinic
Access to Justice Clinic - Animal Law Division
Access to Justice Clinic - Citizenship & Naturalization Division
Access to Justice Clinic - Family Law Division
Access to Justice Clinic - Nonprofit & Entrepreneurship Division
Access to Justice Clinic - Prisoner Civil Rights Division
Access to Justice Clinic - Workers’ Rights Division
Access to Justice Clinic - Youth Justice Division
Number of GW Law Clinics
Client Service Hours Annually
Enrolled Students Annually
Practice Areas
Briefing Congress on Eviction Policy: The Health Justice Policy and Advocacy Clinic Takes to Capitol Hill to Discuss Housing Policy
June 5, 2025
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus invited the Health Justice Policy & Advocacy Clinic to participate in a virtual briefing for its members.
GW Law Faculty to Present at 2025 AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education
April 25, 2025
GW Law faculty are proud to represent at this year's AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education.
GW Law Student Attorneys in Access to Justice Clinic Participate in Prisoner Rights Trial
April 17, 2025
GW Law students in the prisoner civil rights division of the Access to Justice clinic had the unique experience of going to trial in a prisoner rights case.
The Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics of GW Law offer two-year clinical fellowships to law school graduates who have clerked or practiced since law school.
The Clinical Law Advisory Council (CLAC) supports the Clinical Program in its efforts to innovate and grow over the next 50 years and beyond.
— Julia E. Scolapio, Class of '26
"I believe in the power of a GW education, but participating in the Clinical program, more than anything, has given me the tools and confidence to be an effective leader in the field of law."
— Karoline Nunez Vaughan, JD '17, Immigration Clinic
“Professors Benítez and Vera brought what we learned in the classroom to life. Their mentorship helped give me confidence in my skills as a young attorney and taught me to think outside of the box when analyzing legal issues.”
— Basel Musharbarsh, JD '18, SBCED Clinic
“The Small Business & Community Economic Development Clinic taught me the fundamentals of “why” and “how” to keep clients and their communities at the center of my legal practice — and those lessons still guide my firm today.”
"Conservatives call for Biden to shut down border on his own. Experts say it's not that simple"
Spectrum News quoted Alberto Benitez describing the legal steps in order to control a border and the dangers and criticisms that go along with that control.
"N.Y. Republicans in competitive seats object to Senate's bipartisan border deal"
Spectrum News quoted Alberto Benitez clarifying the president does not have the unilateral power to shut down the border.
"Claim abuse, lose custody: A bill aims to curb a trend born of the theory of ‘parental alienation'"
Public Source quoted Joan Meier about parental alienation.
"Former FBI contractor pleads guilty to exploiting minors on gaming app"
The Washington Post quoted Mary Anne Franks on the tracking and tactics predators use for gaming app crimes.
