Public Interest Experiential Learning

Experiential learning at GW Law offers students a dynamic and immersive approach to legal education, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world practice. Through hands-on activities like our pro bono program, clinics, and field placement, students gain invaluable insights into the complexities of legal practice, honing critical skills such as problem-solving, communication, and ethical decision-making. This approach not only enhances their understanding of legal principles but also equips students with the practical acumen necessary to excel in the complexities of the legal profession.

Relationship between Clinics, Field Placement, and Pro Bono

The Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics

About

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 Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics vary considerably in purpose, duration, requirements, and duties. Despite their diversity, all the clinics create an exciting and supportive educational environment in which law students are provided the opportunity to develop lawyering skills and to gain insights into law and the legal profession while providing vital legal services to people who need them. 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. Willis-Johnson, and the Administrative Supervisor is Milagros Tudela.

Learn More About Clinics

Clinical Programs

The Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics currently encompass 18 clinical programs. They are the following:

• Access to Justice Clinic - Education Access Advocacy Division

• Access to Justice Clinic - HEPA Environmental Justice Division

• Access to Justice Clinic - Family Law

• Access to Justice Clinic - Nonprofit & Entrepreneurship Division (NEC)

• Access to Justice Clinic – Prisoner Civil Rights Division

• Access to Justice Clinic (CAJC) – Workers’ Rights Division

• Civil and Human Rights Law Clinic

• Criminal Defense and Justice Clinic

• Criminal Appeals & Post-Conviction Services

• Domestic Violence Project

• Family Justice Litigation

• Health Equity Policy & Advocacy Clinic

• Health Rights Law Clinic

• Immigration Clinic

• Intellectual Property & Technology Law Clinic

• Public Justice Advocacy Clinic

• Rising for Justice - Housing Advocacy & Litigation Clinic

• Small Business & Community Economic Development

• Vaccine Injury Litigation Clinic

Clinic Team

Laurie S. Kohn
Jacob Burns Foundation Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs; Associate Professor of Clinical Law; Director of Family Justice Litigation Clinic, & Director of Access to Justice Clinic
[email protected] 
202.994.7463

Andrea R. Willis-Johnson
Managing Attorney and Associate Program Director
[email protected]
202.994.3086

Milagros Tudela
Administrative Supervisor
[email protected]
202.994.7463

Contact Information

Address: 2000 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20052
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.994.7463
Fax: 202.994.6441

Field Placement

About

The Field Placement Program provides GW Law students an opportunity to earn academic credit while working as student externs with government, judicial, and nonprofit organizations. In the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, student externs work directly with judges or practicing lawyers. The Program enhances students’ educational experience through exposure to the actual practice of law. With over 500 students participating in the Program each year and the unique opportunities available to students as a result of our location in the nation’s capital, the Field Placement Program is one of the most extensive legal externship programs in the country. The primary educational objectives of Field Placement are to provide students with the opportunity to gain experience in different substantive areas of law and legal process; to develop legal research, writing, interviewing, counseling, and investigative skills; to deal with issues of professional responsibility in an actual practice setting; and, to engage in reflective lawyering.

Students benefit from the guidance of GW Law adjunct faculty, who teach the required corequisite courses that complement the externship experience. All corequisite courses are taught in an experiential format that encourages learning by doing. Additionally, students receive regular communication and feedback from the practicing attorneys or judges who serve as placement supervisors. Regular communication and feedback from adjunct faculty and placement supervisors combine to offer students a unique opportunity to gain practical experience, enhance employment marketability, develop essential connections in the legal field, and enhance their overall academic experience. Please see the Field Placement FAQs for additional information.

Learn More About Field Placement

Field Placement Team

Keri A. McCoy
Assistant Dean for Field Placement
Lisner Hall, Ste 205
[email protected]
202.994.5184

Contact Information

Address: 2000 H Street, NW | Lisner Hall, Ste 204 | Washington, DC 20052
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 202.994.5184
Fax: 202.994.3362