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

Legislative Clinic

Tags:access to justice clinic legislative 

The Legislative Clinic introduces students to the skill of legislative drafting, the legislative process involved in a bill's becoming law and the political realities of introducing bills and lobbying their passage.

Course: Legislative Process (2 credits, graded) (fall semester take concurrently) During fall semester, students will study the skills of drafting statutes and the legislative process. During the legislative session, there may be either individual or group meetings on an occasional basis to reflect upon the legislative session. If course is offered spring semester, Placements may be arranged during summer.

Placement: (2 or 3 credits, Pass/Fail) (Placement typically runs Sept. through Feb.) Students are placed with the office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, with elected lawyer members of the Utah House or Senate, and with private non-profit organizations that propose or comment upon local legislation. During fall semester, students may work with supervising organizations or elected officials researching and drafting legislation for introduction to the Utah State Legislature. From January through February, while the legislature is in session, students may work with the supervising organization or legislator following the bill through the process and assisting in amending or otherwise acting to have the bill become law.

Orientation and Forms

• Possible Placement Projects (pdf)
• Interim Report (pdf)
• Final Report (pdf)

 Faculty: Professors Alex Skibine and Linda F. Smith