Levin College of Law

Clinics and Field Placements

Clinics and Field Placements

The Fredric G. Levin College of Law Clinics and Field Placements are faculty-supervised, advice, representation, and mediation clinics that integrate the college’s nationally-ranked scholarship with applied lawyering, mediation, and problem-solving skills developed through simulation courses and by providing legal services in the state attorney’s office, public defender’s office, or a fully-operational law clinic.

Students enrolled in our clinics gain real-world legal skills through participation with real clients alongside experienced clinical faculty.

Virgil D. Hawkins Civil Legal Clinics

Environmental and Community Development Clinic

The Environmental and Community Development Clinic, directed by Professor Thomas Hawkins, provides upper-level environmental law students and graduate students in conservation related fields with exposure to environmental and land use professional practice, applied research and public policy analysis under the supervision of the instructor/clinic director.

Gator TeamChild Juvenile Law Clinic

Students in our Gator TeamChild Juvenile Law Clinic, directed by Professor Stacey Steinberg, provides holistic legal representation to children and partners with juvenile law attorneys to advocate for young clients in foster care.

Gender Justice Clinic

The Gender Justice Clinic, directed by Professor Teresa Drake, is a multidisciplinary clinic that offers students a range of opportunities to become involved in the law, legislation, and litigation surrounding the rights of LGBTQIA+ persons in Florida. The Gender Justice Clinic is one of only two state court live client clinics at UF Law. The Gender Justice Clinic also boasts a large caseload, keeping students on their toes and giving them ample opportunity to practice trauma-responsive interviewing skills, document drafting, witness preparation, and a day in court.

Immigration Clinic

The Immigration Clinic, directed by Professor Juan Caballero, provides students with the opportunity to represent low-income immigrant clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), immigration courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Students have long worked on a variety of cases involving naturalization, asylum, VAWA, and U-visa requests.

Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic

The Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, directed by Professor Derek Wheeler, provides representation to low-income taxpayers who have disputes with the IRS. The LITC also provides educational outreach to vulnerable populations and systemic advocacy to help create a more equitable tax system for all.

Mediation Clinic

Students in our  Mediation Clinic, directed by Professor Donna Erez-Navot, mediate small claims and federal employment discrimination cases.

Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic

In the Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic, directed by Professor Judy Clausen, students assist veterans and their family members with appeals to the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, claims before the VA regional office, amicus briefs before the Federal Circuit and SCOTUS, petitions for VA rulemaking and comments on proposed VA rules, discharge upgrades, know your rights presentations to veterans and future military officers, and research papers for judge advocates providing legal assistance to military personnel.

Criminal Law Field Placements

UF Law offers three unique Criminal Law Field Placements. In each placement, students participate in every aspect of the trial process, including selecting a jury, arguing motions, presenting opening statements, examining witnesses, and delivering closing arguments.

Prosecution Field Placement

Students in the Prosecution Field Placement, supervised by Professor Sarah Wolking, work in the State Attorney’s Office for the Eighth Judicial Circuit prosecuting misdemeanors and felonies.

Wrongful Convictions Clinic Field Placement

Students in our Wrongful Convictions Clinic Field Placement, also supervised by Professor Sarah Wolking, review petitions for factual innocence submitted by those convicted of felonies in the Fourth Judicial Circuit. This clinic is offered in the Fall.

Public Defender Field Placement

Students in our Public Defender Field Placement, supervised by Professor M Smith, zealously advocate on behalf of indigent clients for the Office of the Public Defender for the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

 

Individuals seeking to connect with the clinics may contact the clinical faculty here. Students interested in learning more about our clinics, the application process, and Certified Legal Intern process and rules may refer to the Experiential Learning section in the Student Resources page on Canvas.