CLINICAL PROGRAMS

The College of Law offers five clinical programs: Defender Aid, Legal Services, Associated Students of the University of Wyoming, Domestic Violence, and Prosecution Assistance. The clinical programs operate pursuant to Wyoming Supreme Court rules that permit third-year law students to practice law under the supervision of a UW law professor or Wyoming Bar member. Each clinical program is designed to expose students to a wide range of real experience in the practice of law. The programs are available during the academic year to third-year students and during the summer between the students’ second and third years of law school. Students receive three credit hours per semester, graded Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory, and are required to devote a minimum of 150 hours to the program. Enrollment in the clinical programs may be limited in the interest of affording students maximum educational benefit. However, every effort is made to accommodate each student who desires the benefits of clinical experience.

A full-time, tenure-track faculty member who has had substantial experience in law practice directly supervises each clinical program. There are no adjunct or staff members between the faculty supervisors and student interns. A student director is appointed for each program to help the faculty supervisor administer the program.

The caseload of each clinic consists solely of actual cases. The Wyoming student practice rule allows student interns to make court appearances with the consent of the client. There is no simulation. The faculty supervisor is professionally responsible for the students in the program. Therefore, particular emphasis is placed on professional responsibility to the client, the profession, and the community.

The response of the Wyoming judiciary to student interns has been enthusiastic, both on and off the bench, and in trial and appellate courts.

Students gain valuable trial experience by participating in criminal trials while assisting prosecuting attorneys. Some of the work entails legal research and preparation of legal memoranda, and writing motions, motion responses, jury instructions, and trial briefs for criminal cases in the trial courts. While trial work consists principally of misdemeanor cases in county courts and justice of the peace courts, students may have the opportunity to take part in felony trials in the district courts.

Prosecution Assistance students have the extraordinary opportunity to participate in criminal appeals before the Wyoming Supreme Court. Cases include crimes of every sort, from larceny to homicide. Students prepare written briefs for submission to the court and then present oral argument to the Supreme Court. The Wyoming Supreme Court has actively encouraged participation of law students in its work, affording UW College of Law students experiences that are virtually unique in American legal education.