Clinics

The clinical programs at Moritz provide an approach to clinical education that is distinctive among American law schools. With origins dating back to 1935, Ohio State was an early pioneer in clinical legal education.  As a result, faculty members of the College have long recognized that problem-solving, factual investigation, counseling, negotiation, and litigation skills are best learned by combining the actual practice of law with classroom education. J.D. students are able to take responsibility for their own cases, with an intensive academic experience in the classroom.

In the clinics, students work closely with expert faculty to provide essential representation to real clients. Many of the clinics are taught by two-person faculty teams. The faculty both provide expertise in the theory and doctrine of a particular area of law and help students develop hands-on legal experience. Under the guidance and mentoring of faculty, law students get a taste of the satisfactions and challenges of a legal career. In addition, students benefit from an average ratio of one faculty member to eight students, offering a level of learning possible only through such close supervision.

The American Bar Association recognizes that clinical programs are an essential component of legal education. Our graduates realize that, too. When polled about the value of these practical classes, more than two-thirds of Moritz alumni recommended that today’s law students take advantage of our extensive clinical offerings.

“I took three clinical classes at Moritz, and all three were so different,” said Janay Stevens, a 3L. “In the Justice for Children Clinic, my clients were young children, which required a different method for explaining things and working together. In the Civil Clinic, I was fighting to get a terminated employee’s paid time off paid. And, in the Mediation Clinic, I did not have a client and needed to be neutral. I had so many different experiences.”