clinics

By working in our clinics, MSU law students take the lead in cases with real-life consequences, involving some of the most vulnerable populations in Michigan and across the country.

Our clinic students change lives. They represent elderly renters on the brink of eviction, refugees from global conflicts, and unaccompanied immigrant children, as well as members of other underserved groups facing seemingly insurmountable legal challenges.

Under the direction of MSU Law faculty who are well-known experts in specialty areas of the law, our students learn strategies to overcome these legal challenges. They investigate cases and navigate complex legal. They mediate conflicts, research and write legal briefs, and advocate for their clients in court.

Some clinics pair law students with graduate students from other MSU colleges and programs, offering experience in cross-campus collaboration.

Clinic work is a for-credit experiential learning opportunity offered to all second- and third-year law students and is highly valued by employers.

In 2024-25 academic year, clinic law students:

Handled approximately 300 cases.
112 students participated in the clinic.
Provided approximately 25,000 hours of pro bono service to the community.
Reduced a tax client’s liability from ~$18,000 to $1.
Tax outreach events reached more than 450 people.
The Indian Law Clinic worked on over 17 cases and other related projects involving eleven tribes.
The Immigration Clinic appeared in 20 immigration and state court proceedings, and in over 10 USCIS client interviews that culminated in lawful permanent residence and naturalization grants.
Know Your Rights presentations on immigration issues reached more than 600 people in 13 different languages.
The Public Defender Clinic had two dismissals of charges, three favorable evidentiary rulings, and one post-conviction sentencing relief case.
Trained hundreds of Michigan high school students in First Amendment free speech and free press rights.

The clinic is accepting applications for Fall 2026. The application is available in CASE and the application deadline is Friday, Feb. 20th. Please see the instructions below for completing the application.

Read all instructions.
Depending on the number of credits, you are required to complete between 180-270 hours of clinic work.
The application is for the fall semester only.
Some clinics have a mandatory orientation prior to the beginning of the semester. You will be notified if this is the case.

Log into CASE . If you have never logged into CASE, click on “Sign up for an account” and enter your MSU email address, then create a password according to the guidelines listed. Agree to the terms of service, then click the sign up button. You will be prompted for some information.
Click on "Experiential Learning" in the sidebar menu, then click on "+New Experience" in the upper right corner.
The employer is "Michigan State University College of Law - Clinics (ExpLrn Only)”. It will populate when you start typing. DO NOT add a new employer.
The experiential type is "Clinic." Once you select this, follow the detailed instructions at the top of the page to complete the application.
You must complete the clinic employment policy acknowledgement in order to proceed to the application.
You must rank your preferences or select "Not interested." If you select Chance at Childhood or Equitable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law there will be additional items to complete.
Complete the remaining items on the application.
You must also submit a statement of interest (no more than two pages, double-spaced), current resume, and law school transcripts. An unofficial copy of your transcript is acceptable.
Once you click "save," your application will be in draft status. You must then upload the required documents as one PDF, in the order above, in the "Documents and Forms" tab.
After you have uploaded the documents and you are satisfied with all the information you have entered, click on the "Submit for approval" button at the top. You will not be able to make changes once you submit your application. If you need to make changes, email Jesse Alvarez.

MSU Law Clinics

Childhood Clinic

Entrepreneurial and Innovation Law Clinic

First Amendment Clinic

Housing Justice Clinic

Immigration Clinic

Indian Law Clinic

Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic

Public Defender Clinic