The Legislative Advocacy Clinic challenges students to conceptualize, plan, and implement a campaign to pass social justice legislation in the New York City Council. Working with the New York Civil Liberties Union, students research relevant statutes and case law, draft legislation, and develop and implement an advocacy campaign to enact a bill. While in the clinic, students interview clients and other interested parties, conduct legal and social science research, draft policy papers and proposed legislation, meet with community leaders and elected officials, and draft testimony for a legislative hearing. The clinic’s work includes both proposing affirmative legislative initiatives and defensive efforts to respond to legislation proposed by others. By the end of the course, students will have a framework for understanding the lawyer’s role as lobbyist, organizer, educator, coalition-builder, media spokesperson, and activist. Some clinic meetings take place at the offices of the New York Civil Liberties Union in lower Manhattan. The clinic seminar meets weekly for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Students are expected to complete an average of 12–16 hours of work on their cases each week.

This upper-level clinical course is comprised of two co-requisite courses: a clinical placement with the New York Civil Liberties Union and a seminar.

Approved for Experiential Learning Requirement. Enrollment is limited. Registration is binding. Application is required, and can be found on the Office of Clinical and Experiential Learning section of the NYLS Portal.

Recommended for the following Professional Pathways: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties; Family Law; Government/Public Sector; Immigration; International Law/Human Rights; Labor and Employment; General Practice – Litigation/Dispute Resolution

4 Credits