University of Utah : S.J. Quinney College of Law

Judicial Clinic

Tags:access to justice clinic judicial 

The Judicial Clinic

Intern: 2 or 3 credits, 2nd and 3rd year students

Extern: Up to 12 credits, 3rd year students only

 

The Judicial Clinic places students to serve as “interns” or part-time clerks, typically for 2 or 3 credits.  (Third year students may elect the “externship” program, in which they act as judicial clerks for up to 35 hours a week for 12 credits.)  Judicial Clinic students will improve their skills in legal analysis, research and writing as they carry out legal research and draft opinions on pending cases.  In addition, the Judicial Clinic provides a unique perspective on court procedure and practice and on the process of judicial dispute resolution.  This field experience is accompanied by the Judicial Process class which should be taken concurrently or following the clinical experience.

 

Course: Judicial Process (2 cr., graded, Fall, Spring & Summer) allows students to place their judicial clinic experiences in a broader context, and to explore their insights about courts in greater depth.  The class looks at “how judges make decisions.”  These inquiries may include exploration of effective advocacy techniques, the roles of trial and appellate courts, the standard of review, techniques for good opinion writing, the politics of decision-making, the selection of judges, the effects of judicial socialization, and alternatives to the adversary dispute resolution process.  Grades may be based upon a paper or final examination, class presentations and class participation. Offered both Fall and Spring Semester and some Summer Semesters. Best taken concurrently (or following placement).

 

Placements (usually 2 or 3 cr., P/F, Fall, Spring, & Summer):

§  Utah Supreme Court

§  Utah Court of Appeals

§  Utah Third District Court

§  Utah Third District Juvenile Court

§  U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

§  U.S. District Court 

§  U.S. Bankruptcy Court

§  U. S. Immigration Court

§  U.S. Department of Interior (ALJ)

§  Utah Labor Commission (ALJ)

§  Utah State Tax Commission (ALJ)

§  Navajo Nation Judicial Branch

Faculty: Professors Bonnie Mitchell, Judge Judith Billings & Troy Booher

 

Placement & Registration: Students must complete the Clinical Program Application form and submit the required documents with the application.  Registration in the Judicial Clinic is conditional on being placed with a judge.  After being placed with judges, students will then be enrolled in the clinic. Students may rank their court placement preferences; supervising judges make the final selections.  Students can then register online for the Judicial Process course once placed. 

 

An application through the College of Law constitutes a commitment to participate if selected. Withdrawal should only occur in unforeseen emergencies.

 

A few judges accept applications directly to their chambers and do not participate in our joint application process.  If a student applies directly to one of these judges, the student should not apply to the Clinical Program for the joint application process, but apply at any time to the following judges.  If you are accepted by one of the following judges complete the Clinical Program Application to be enrolled in the clinic.

·         Justice Michael Wilkins, Utah Supreme Court

·         Judge Dale A. Kimball, U.S. District Court

·         U.S. Immigration Court

 

LAW 7940-001: Judicial Process                  
   Fall: Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 – 8:55am, taught by Professor Booher     
   Spring: Wednesdays, 3:15 – 5:15 pm, taught by Professor Mitchell
 
LAW 7950-001: Judicial Clinic                     
   Fall or Spring ( 2-12 credits)
   
Orientation Materials and Forms:

 

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