The Criminal Defense & Youth Advocacy Clinic, directed by Clinical Assistant Professor Zoe Engberg, 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
The Criminal Defense & Youth Advocacy Clinic is a two-semester clinic for second-year and third-year law students. Clinic student will participate in a weekly seminar and regular supervision meetings. To learn more, please email Professor Engberg at zoe.engberg@wisc.edu.
