The Criminal Defense & Youth Advocacy Clinic is an LAIP clinic in which students engage in direct representation, strategic litigation and research initiatives designed to address mass incarceration. Recognizing that our clients often face complex and multifaceted barriers to release, students will learn a variety of litigation techniques and develop holistic and comprehensive advocacy strategies. Many students will have the opportunity to work with clients convicted as children and develop specialized litigation strategies informed by youth defense best practices.
As part of their clinical work, students may:
- Directly represent people in prison and advocate for their release.
- Develop cutting edge litigation strategies to address systemic issues within the criminal legal system.
- Meet with stakeholders to better understand the most pressing issues in Wisconsin's criminal legal system.
- Conduct research in partnership with local and national organizations on the root causes and possible strategies to address mass incarceration
Students will develop skills in client-centered lawyering, fact and mitigation investigation, legal research, and oral and written advocacy. Students will also learn to think strategically and creatively about their advocacy and consider how to address issues of mass incarceration, racial justice and systemic change.
Information for Students
Information for students: The Criminal Defense & Youth Advocacy Clinic is a one-semester, six-credit clinic for second- and third-year law students. Clinic students will participate in a weekly seminar and weekly supervision meetings.
Applications
To apply, please send a resume and a paragraph about your interest in the clinic to Professor Zoe Engberg at zoe.engberg@wisc.edu. To apply for the Spring 2025 semester, please submit your application materials by November 8, 2024.
