GU Law LogoBanner Image

Clinical Courses

Learning the Law by Practicing the Law

Gonzaga Law School provides upper-class students with clinical education opportunities of two types:

  1. An in-house dispute resolution clinic under the direct supervision of six full-time faculty members
  2. Various out-placement clinics - i.e., externships - under the direct supervision of governmental agency or private law office attorney supervisors and a full-time faculty clinical director.

The in-house clinic operates as a legal services program for low-income clients. Students represent clients in matters involving family law, elder law, Indian and tribal law, consumer law, business law, civil rights law, environmental law and miscellaneous public interest issues. Students have opportunities to learn professional skills and integrate theory and practice by engaging in all aspects of adversarial and alternative dispute resolution, including fact investigation, drafting of legal documents, case planning, discovery, motion practice, negotiation, mediation, and trial and appellate advocacy.

Clinical Law Program Offerings

To be considered for a clinical law position, students are required to fill out an application and go through an interview process. For detailed descriptions of each of the clinical law course offerings, see personnel in the clinic office, or click here to be taken to the Clinic.

Clinic staff and students will also host mid-semester information fairs in the first-floor lobby. Applications will be available and the clinical law supervisors will be present to answer questions. The clinics listed below will be offered during Fall/Spring/Summer semesters. Please see clinic faculty or administration for detailed information.

General Public Interest Practice Section 1 Prof. Sawyer 3-6 credits
General Public Interest Practice Section 2
 Prof. Hammer 3-6 credits
Elder Law Clinic Prof. Weiser 3-6 credits
Consumer Law Clinic Prof. McNeil 3-6 credits
Federal Tax Clinic Prof. Gellner 3 credits
Indian Law Clinic Prof. Sawyer 3-6 credits
Business Law Clinic Prof. Faust 3 credits
Environmental Law Clinic Prof. Chappell 3 credits

Registration pre-approval must be obtained by the application process. Contact Julie Claar, the clinic's office manager, in Ste 101, Rm 125, Ex. 3799. Applications are available via Simplicity.

Registration will be finalized by the Registrar’s Office once a list of eligible students has been submitted. Web registration is not allowed.

Externship Program

An externship is a learning experience outside of the classroom. You will earn credits by practicing law.

Top of Page


gonzaga law clinical courses - learning by doing

With its focus on putting your academic skills to work, Gonzaga's Law Clinic is a key component of the new curriculum.

In Washington State, students can practice a limited form of the law under the supervision of a professor or practicing attorney.

Most Gonzaga students will tell you their most memorable law school experiences came from the time they spent working with clients.