Experiential Learning

Experiential learning centers on providing students with hands-on opportunities to understand how the law works in action, with real clients on real problems. These opportunities typically occur in the public interest or as pro bono projects for no fee, and under the close supervision of faculty. So in addition to gaining invaluable real-world experience in the actual practice of law, students at the University of California, Irvine School of Law will provide service in the public interest—addressing gaps in our justice system and assisting those with the greatest need in our community. Such service, as well as an emphasis on experiential learning, will be at the core of our mission.

Experiential learning at UCI Law will be greatly enhanced by the school’s commitment to developing its clinical education program. The law school’s innovative curriculum includes a requirement of participation in a legal clinic for its upper-level students.

The law school’s first of several clinics will be its Environmental Law Clinic, which will further the public interest in environmental law, environmental health and environmental sustainability. The clinic will allow students to work with trained lawyers and law professors while they do environmental legal and policy work.

“This environmental law clinic will provide our students with an incomparable, hands-on experience, allowing them to learn up close what environmental lawyers do an a day-to-day basis,” said Erwin Chemerinsky.

> UCI School of Law receives $2 million grant to start Environmental Law Clinic

experiential learning