The mission of the Clinic is to support freedom of expression and civic engagement by enhancing law students’ understanding of the First Amendment and providing a resource for organizations, students, journalists, and citizens defending and advancing First Amendment protections.
About the Clinic
Students in the First Amendment Clinic represent clients under the supervision of an experienced attorney; however, students are responsible for all aspects of the legal representation of their clients. Representation may include client interviewing, case evaluation and research, motion practice and brief writing, drafting pleadings and discovery requests, taking and defending depositions, participating in discovery and settlement conferences, negotiating with opposing parties, identifying and coordinating with experts, and oral advocacy during court appearances.
Concurrent with their casework, students will learn the substantive and procedural areas of First Amendment Law and civil practice. In addition, First Amendment Clinic students represent clients across the political spectrum, upholding our commitment to advance the freedoms of speech, press and assembly for both groups and individuals.
Clinic Faculty
Lena Shapiro
Assistant Clinical Professor
First Amendment Clinic Director
Benjamin Horton
Visiting Lecturer in Law
Stanton Fellow
Lena Shapiro
For Prospective Clients
Whether you are seeking legal representation or have a general question, the First Amendment Clinic may be able to help. Please complete the information request form linked below and a Clinic representative will follow up with you.
The First Amendment Clinic can answer general questions and provide general information pertaining to First Amendment law but cannot provide legal advice specific to your particular situation until the Clinic agrees to take on your case. The decision whether to take on a particular case depends on a number of factors, including whether the issue(s) at stake involve a First Amendment right falling within the scope of the Clinic’s mission. Consideration will also be given to the experiential opportunities that a case would provide to Clinic students. Other factors include the capacity of the Clinic at a given time to take on new cases, and the current priorities of the Clinic.
Student Clinician Experiences
Lilian Alexandrova, ’24
“I honestly think it’s the most valuable thing I did in law school. I couldn’t think of anything more worth your time…. It’s a fantastic experience, especially for people who want to do litigation.”
Jonathan Resnick ‘24
“I think it has absolutely prepared me to work in litigation…this experience did prepare me to not just be working in a classroom context, but also having demands outside of that.”
