Clinical Legal Education

General Information

The Louisiana Supreme Court and federal courts in Louisiana authorize third-year law students to conduct a limited law practice for indigent clients. Under the direction of Tulane supervising faculty who are members of the Louisiana bar, students represent clients by investigating, preparing, and trying cases, or by becoming involved in administrative or legislative proceedings.

In the Tulane law clinics, instruction is provided in a variety of contexts. For most of the clinics, students enroll in a seminar on lawyering skills, which addresses interviewing, counseling, negotiating, case planning, discovery, and motion practice. The emphasis is on lawyering skills that students will use after leaving law school. Students may also learn through simulated role performances, which are videotaped and critiqued. Finally, under faculty supervision, students represent individuals or organizations before trial or appellate courts, administrative agencies, or legislative bodies.

Casework is organized around regular, individual weekly case review meeting between student and supervisor. At these meetings, student work is reviewed and case planning is undertaken based upon a discussion of goals, options, strategy choices, and underlying reasoning. Student-attorneys then execute the decisions arising out of the case review meeting, such as conducting client interviews, planning and executing fact investigation and formal discovery, drafting legal documents, and representing the client before courts, agencies, or the legislature.

Civil Litigation Clinic 

Criminal Litigation Clinic 

Domestic Violence Clinic 

Environmental Law Clinic 

Juvenile Litigation Clinic 

Legislative & Administrative Advocacy/The Public Law Center