Clinical Programs: Student Law Office

FAQs - Student Law Office

• General Information FAQs

  What is the Student Law Office (SLO)?

  The Student Law Office (SLO) is Denver Law’s in-house clinical legal program. In the SLO, law students learn to become excellent and ethical lawyers through real-life client representation. Under the supervision of licensed faculty, students provide legal services to low-income and underrepresented individuals and communities. The SLO offers seven clinics across different areas of law: Advancing Social Change, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Community Economic Development, Immigration Law & Policy, Criminal Defense, and Environmental Law.

  What are the benefits of participating in a clinic?

  The clinics in the Student Law Office allow student attorneys to engage with multiple aspects of legal practice — including legal doctrine, legal research, counseling, oral advocacy, evidence gathering (discovery and investigation), trial skills, negotiation, and so on — through the actual practice of law under the guidance of experienced law professors.

  Our seven in-house clinics — Advancing Social Change, Criminal Defense, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Community Economic Development, Environmental Law, and Immigration Law and Policy — provide students with diverse opportunities to develop essential legal skills in litigation and transactional practices, as well as policy and other work. Students interview and counsel clients, develop case strategies, conduct investigations, manage discovery, negotiate with opposing parties, mediate settlements, and litigate disputes. They draft motions, discovery requests, complaints, contracts, bylaws, articles of incorporation, and other documents essential to their client’s case.

  Student attorneys also gain a deeper understanding of legal ethics and the many complexities of legal advocacy by engaging with these rules and principles in the context of representation. Our clinics place a strong emphasis on case management, equipping students to handle their cases effectively and efficiently. Through this work, students cultivate empathy and sensitivity toward the challenges faced by their clients, an essential framework for effective and engaged advocacy.

  Through regular supervision sessions with their clinic professors, students receive constructive feedback and engage in collaborative discussions, sharpening their skills, and deepening their understanding of legal practice. This invaluable experience equips students with a strong foundation of critical competencies, preparing them for meaningful and accomplished legal careers.

• Clinic Enrollment Eligibility & Requirements FAQs

  What are the requirements for participating in a Student Law Office clinic? 

  To participate in a law clinic, students must have completed at least 30 academic credit hours by the start of the clinic, meaning all required 1L coursework must be finished before the clinic begins. Students must also have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher. Some clinics may have additional pre- or co-requisites based on the nature of the work, so students should review individual clinic flyers and webpages carefully to confirm they meet all requirements prior to applying.

  Participation in a clinic also requires completion of the application process, which includes submitting the online application and completing a conflict-of-interest check on our website during the open application period. The application process may also involve an interview with clinic faculty. 

  I’m a part-time student. Can I participate in a Student Law Office clinic? 

  Both full-time and part-time students who have completed the 30-credit hour requirement are encouraged to apply for all the clinics in the Student Law Office. However, to participate in a clinic, students must attend all clinic seminars, court dates, and supervision sessions as scheduled, as well as have sufficient time to effectively and thoroughly do the work required to effectively represent your client(s). If you have questions about the time commitment and obligations of a particular clinic, please reach out to the professor(s) teaching that clinic and/or attending a clinic informational event to learn more. 

  Please note that the Advancing Social Change Clinic gives priority to qualified students in Denver Law’s Part-Time JD Program, and all the seminar classes meet on the weekends dedicated to part-time program classes. The fieldwork hours, while intensive, can be completed at flexible times, in consultation with the professor and relevant clinic partners. Students in the part-time program may apply to the Advancing Social Change Clinic so long as they will have successfully completed their first year of law school by the time the clinic begins.

  Can I participate in more than one clinic simultaneously? 

  Due to the intensive time commitment of clinic courses, students may not participate in more than one clinic at a time. However, students are welcome to apply for a different clinic in a future semester or year, even if they have previously participated in another clinic. 

  Do I need to speak another language to participate in the Immigration Law & Policy Clinic (or any other clinic in the SLO)?

  No. Fluency or familiarity with a language other than English can be helpful but is not required. Clinics often work with professional legal translators and interpreters, so students are not expected to speak another language fluently to work in any of the clinics. 

  Do I need prior legal experience to apply?

  No. While such experience can be helpful, clinics are designed to provide hands-on legal training under faculty supervision, so students are not expected to have prior experience in a legal environment.

  Can I enroll in a Student Law Office clinic if I am simultaneously enrolled in an externship through the Legal Externship Program or another course that involves client work?

  Student Attorneys will be required to abide by the professional responsibility rules that govern all practicing lawyers. Given the intensive time commitment of clinic courses as well as the potential for ethical conflicts of interest, students are not allowed to simultaneously participate in a Student Law Office Clinic and an externship through the Legal Externship Program or any other experiential course in the law school that involves client work. 

  Can I work or volunteer and participate in a Student Law Office Clinic at the same time? 

  Student attorneys are expected to abide by all ethical rules that would apply as if they were practicing lawyers. Some students may be working while enrolled in a clinic. Although this is generally discouraged due to the intensive time commitment of clinic courses, we recognize that some students will need to work while they are participating in the clinic. 

  Students who are working while participating in a Student Law Office clinic must submit information regarding their employer (and, if applicable, the employer’s clients or other parties served) to complete a conflict check within the SLO. Additionally, after discussion with the clinic supervisor and with permission from clinic client(s), students may need to disclose their clinic work to their employer, who may also need to complete a conflict check. 

  If a conflict arises, either within a student’s own clinic or any other clinic in the Student Law Office, the presumption is that the conflict will be resolved in the best interest of the client. In such cases, a student may be required to withdraw from the clinic. 

  This same policy applies to any volunteer work undertaken by student attorneys during their enrollment in the Student Law Office. Students who work or volunteer while enrolled in a clinic must discuss these plans with the clinic professor(s) before enrolling in the clinic or, if the work or volunteer opportunity arises after the student is already enrolled in a clinic, before the employment or volunteer work commences. In addition to possible clinic-wide conflict issues, it is essential that the student and professor(s) have a meaningful discussion and reach a mutual understanding regarding the time commitment and other aspects of the proposed work or volunteer position.

  Are background checks required to participate in a Student Law Office Clinic?

  Students are not required to undergo a background check within the University of Denver to participate in a clinic. During the application period, students are only asked about their interest in the clinic, relevant experience, and previous or current work/volunteer activities to identify potential conflicts of interest. 

  Please note the following external security clearances relevant to client work after a student is enrolled in a SLO clinic:

  For the Immigration Law & Policy Clinic, applicants should be aware that to enter into ICE detention centers to visit clients, student attorneys will need to pass a security clearance conducted by ICE. This security clearance requires disclosing your social security number and immigration status to ICE. If the student attorney is not a US citizen by birth, ICE requires a copy of your LPR card and/or passport, and Naturalization Certificate. If you are not a US citizen by birth and wish to enroll in the ILPC, but have questions about entry into ICE facilities, please contact Prof. Liz Jordan at elizabeth.jordan@du.edu to discuss your questions in confidence.

  Students in the Civil Rights Clinic represent individuals incarcerated in federal prisons. As a result, student attorneys may need to visit their clients in person and must complete a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) background check and an Application to Enter Institution as Representative to do so. These forms are a requirement of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and request personal information such as Social Security Numbers and personal address and work history for the last five years. All forms are reviewed by clinic faculty prior to submission. 

  Further, for any clinic in which student attorneys will be entering into prisons or jails, applicants should be aware that they will need to provide state identification to the facility for the purposes of security clearance.

• Application Process FAQs

  When can I apply for a position in a Student Law Office Clinic? 

  For the 2026-2027 school year, applications for both year-long clinics and Fall semester-long clinics will be open from Monday, March 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. through Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. on the Clinical Programs Website. Clinics accepting applications during this period include:

  • Advancing Social Change Clinic (Fall 2026 semester) 
  • Civil Litigation Clinic (Fall 2026 semester) 
  • Criminal Defense Clinic (Fall 2026 semester) 
  • Civil Rights Clinic (Year-long, starting Fall 2026) 
  • Community Economic Development Clinic (Year-long, starting Fall 2026) 
  • Environmental Law Clinic (Year-long, starting Fall 2026) 
  • Immigration Law & Policy Clinic (Year-long, starting Fall 2026) 
     

  Note: This application process is for the Student Law Office only. Students interested in the Externship Program or other experiential courses should contact those programs directly. 

  How many clinics can I apply for?  

  Students may apply to up to two clinics per application period, indicating their first and second choices. If a student is not accepted into a clinic on their first attempt, they are encouraged to reapply in future application periods. Students who have already completed a clinic in the SLO may also apply to a different clinic than one they have previously participated in. 

  What does the application entail?

  Clinic applications are submitted online using the link provided on the Clinical Programs Website during the designated application period. 

  Applications include the following: 

  • Personal information questions (i.e. name, year, etc.). For all clinics, you will also have to confirm that you meet the GPA and credit number requirements for enrollment; 
  • Questions about your interest in the clinic, experience, and previous or current work/volunteer activities to check for potential conflicts of interest; 
  • PDF of your law school resume (required for all clinics);   
     

  Additional materials may include an updated writing sample or a personal essay, depending on the clinic. Students should review individual clinic flyers for specific application requirements. 

  I've submitted my application. What happens next?

  Applications are reviewed after the application period closes. Due to the high volume of applications, students are asked to wait at least three weeks before contacting the Student Law Office about their application status. 

  Applicants selected for the next round of the application process (interview with clinic faculty) will be contacted by Student Law Office administrative staff to schedule an interview. 

  Students offered a spot in a clinic will receive an official offer letter via email and will be given a time frame by which they must respond to either accept or decline the offer. When a student has accepted an offer of enrollment, the Student Law Office staff will coordinate enrollment with the Registrar’s office. Students may not enroll themselves in a clinic. 

  Students who are not offered a spot will be notified by email, and may, depending on the circumstances, be placed on a waitlist.

  How competitive is the application process?

  While selection for each clinic is competitive, it is based on a variety of factors, not just prior experience, grades, or class rank. Students are encouraged to apply for the clinic they are most passionate about, as there is no “easier” clinic to get into. A well-prepared application that clearly demonstrates a student’s interest, skills, and experiences can strengthen their chances, as can enthusiasm about the clinic’s focus and a commitment to growth and hard work.  

• Participation Expectations & Credits FAQs

  Does participating in the clinic satisfy the experiential learning requirements for law certificate programs? 

  Participation in the following clinics satisfies the experiential learning requirement for earning a certificate in the corresponding area of law:

  • Community Economic Development Clinic: Corporate & Commercial Law
  • Criminal Defense Clinic: Constitutional Rights & Remedies
  • Civil Rights Clinic: Constitutional Rights & Remedies
  • Environmental Law Clinic: Environmental & Natural Resources Law
     

  What is the time commitment expected for students enrolled in a clinic? 

  Each clinic in the SLO consists of three main components: weekly clinic seminar, casework, and regular supervision meetings with clinic faculty and case teams. Students enrolled in a clinic are expected to attend seminar classes, participate in ongoing supervision meetings, and complete the work necessary to provide high-quality representation to clients and/or clinic partners.

  Clinic participation is a time-intensive but highly rewarding experience. The expected minimum weekly time commitment varies by clinic (please refer to individual clinic flyers), and students should be prepared to devote a substantial amount of time to their clinic responsibilities. For most clinics, students can expect to spend approximately 20–25 hours per week on clinic-related work, including casework, supervision meetings, and seminars. Weekly time demands may fluctuate and, at times, require significantly more hours, so students should plan their schedules accordingly.

  How many credits will I earn by participating in a Student Law Office Clinic?

  The number of credits varies by clinic, as outlined below. Each clinic carries both in-class credits (clinic seminar) and out-of-class credits (client work and supervision). Only out-of-class credits count toward the 25 total out-of-class credits that students may apply toward their Denver Law degree. 

  Semester-Long Clinic Credits

  • Criminal Defense Clinic: 9 total credits
     (4 in-class, 5 out-of-class)
  • Civil Litigation Clinic: 9 total credits
     (4 in-class, 5 out-of-class)
  • Advancing Social Change Clinic: 6 total credits
     (3 in-class, 3 out-of-class)
     

  Year-Long Clinic Credits 

  • Civil Rights Clinic: 9 credits per semester (3 in-class, 6 out-of-class)
    18 total credits for the year
  • Community Economic Development Clinic: 6 credits per semester (3 in-class, 3 out-of-class)
    12 total credits for the year
  • Environmental Law Clinic: 9 credits per semester (3 in-class, 6 out-of-class).
    18 total credits for the year
  • Immigration Law & Policy Clinic: 9 credits per semester (4 in-class, 5 out-of-class)
    18 total credits for the year
     

  Please note: For the 2026–2027 academic year, the Community Economic Development Clinic is exploring whether to operate as a year-long clinic or as a one-semester clinic, offered in both fall and spring. The final clinic structure will be announced prior to the application period beginning on March 2, 2026.

  Will I be asked to leave the program if I don’t win my case(s)? 

  No. Each clinic professor communicates their specific expectations to students; however, Student Law Office faculty do not evaluate students based on the outcomes of their cases. Losing a case is a natural part of legal advocacy. Instead, faculty assess factors including, but not limited to, the quality of assistance provided to clients and/or clinic partners, the diligence and thoughtfulness demonstrated in legal preparation and performance, class preparation and participation, and the ability to engage in self-reflection through written reflections, classroom discussions, and other professional exchanges.

  Does participating in a Student Law Office clinic satisfy the Public Service and Upper-Level Writing requirements?

  Participation in all of the Student Law Office clinics satisfies the Public Service Requirement. However, not all SLO clinics automatically fulfill the Upper-Level Writing (ULW) Requirement. Clinics that automatically satisfy the ULW Requirement are: 

  • Civil Rights Clinic
  • Criminal Defense Clinic 
  • Immigration Law & Policy Clinic
     

  For those clinics that do not automatically satisfy the ULW, students may end up engaging in work in the course that satisfies the ULW. If that is the case, with the permission of the student, the professor in that course will notify the Registrar’s Office that the student has completed their ULW through their work in the clinic.

• Contact Us

  For questions about the Student Law Office, please contact us at law-slo@du.edu or 303-871-6133. If you are seeking legal representation, please see the Request Legal Services/Solicitar Servicios Legales section of the SLO website.

Clinic News & Highlights