First Amendment Clinic

6-8 units

Open to second semester 2L and 3L J.D. students. Students in the First Amendment Clinic represent clients in matters implicating the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly and the right to petition the government. Students will have the opportunity to use and develop legal skills including interviewing and counseling clients; conducting fact investigations; completing legal research on complex issues relating to First Amendment and/or Section 1983 case law; drafting court filings, such as complaints, motions, or other briefs; drafting and responding to discovery requests; planning case strategy; and engaging in written and/or oral advocacy. Students must spend a minimum of 255 total hours on clinic-related matters for 6 credits, or, with permission of the instructor, may enroll for 7 credits (298 total hours) or 8 credits (340 total hours). Students must be certified under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 13 (eligible after completing one-half of the credits required for graduation). [Note: Students are prohibited from taking more than one clinic/externship/supervised practicum in the same semester. Students who are not in good standing (for either academic or disciplinary reasons) are not eligible to participate in a clinic/externship. This course is graded on a modified pass/fail basis: HP (3.90), P, LP (3.00), F (2.50). 6 credits (up to 8 with permission of instructor). There is no final exam. To participate in this clinic, you must either have completed or be currently enrolled in courses containing at least 5 cumulative hours of education on bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism (BCCCR content). This clinic includes 3 hours of BCCCR content, so in total, you will need 2 hours from your other courses to meet the requirement. Courses that include BCCCR content are tagged in Workday to help you track your progress.