Clinics & Experiential Learning
In addition to the study of legal principles, law students at Illinois enjoy a variety of learning opportunities that apply principles to practice. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, research, pre-trial and trial skills, negotiation, and interviewing are critical skills needed for real-world success.
Beginning in the first year, students receive instruction and practice in critical lawyering skills, including client interviewing and oral advocacy. During the second and third years, students “learn by doing” in these live-client and professional skills courses.
Because these courses synthesize material studied elsewhere within the curriculum, students and alumni report that these active learning programs are among the most meaningful experiences that they have at the College of Law.
Clinics and Other Live-Client Courses
- State Appellate Prosecutor
- Family Advocacy Clinic
- Federal Civil Rights Clinic
- Field Placements – Corporate Counsel
- Immigration Law Clinic
- Intellectual Property Clinic – Trademark
- Intellectual Property Clinic – Patent
- Medical Legal Partnership Clinic
- Veterans Legal Clinic
- Legal Externships
- Clinical Assistantships
Appellate Advocacy/Moot Court
Professional Skills Courses
- Advanced Illinois Civil Procedure and Appellate Practice (Chicago)
- Advanced Legal Writing: Insurance Coverage
- Advanced Legal Writing: Transactional Writing
- Advanced Trial Advocacy – Civil Trial Section
- Advanced Trial Advocacy – Criminal Trial Section
- Advanced Trial Advocacy and Professional Responsibility (Chicago)
- Aircraft Finance
- CFI: Counseling, Fact Investigation, and Interviewing
- Dispute Resolution
- Empirical Methods in Law
- Fact Investigation: The Kennedy Assassination
- Family Law Practice
- Fundamentals of Trial Practice
- Immersion Journalism
- Negotiation Skills and Strategies
- Patent Prosecution
- Patent Research & Strategy
- Pretrial Litigation
- Trial Advocacy
- Trial Team
- Workplace Dispute Resolution