Dear Friends,

At Santa Clara Law, we understand that our mission of developing future leaders and competent, ethical lawyers requires experience beyond the classroom. As we look at the state of today’s country and world, from the erosion of democracy and human rights to the burgeoning artificial intelligence industry to widening socioeconomic divides, the responsibility and privilege of being stewards of justice is more salient than ever. That’s why our Clinics offer a wide range of practical learning opportunities that equip students with essential legal skills while deepening their engagement with social justice and public policy. 

I am thrilled to share that this email kicks off our new Clinics newsletter, through which we’ll provide regular updates on our students’ fantastic, hands-on work. Our students are applying their legal education in real-world settings—advocating for underserved communities, addressing systemic issues, and contributing meaningfully to the pursuit of justice. 

Of course, this work isn’t possible without the leadership and mentorship of our excellent faculty and community partners, who guide our students along their learning journeys and help them navigate the nuances and challenges of applying the law, while also celebrating their accomplishments. 

As you’ll see below, in the spirit of our Jesuit values, our clinical programs are not just educating our students, they’re making a real, positive impact for individuals, families, businesses, and communities. 

With warm regards and tremendous gratitude,

 

Michael J. Kaufman
Dean and Professor of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law

Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center (KGACLC)

Law students beat the odds and secure appellate victory for client

Hanchel Cheng, J.D. ’25; Dylan Crosby Moghadam ’26; and Kaelin Olson ’27

Under the supervision of Professor Scott Maurer, Santa Clara Law students won an appeal before a three-judge panel at the Santa Clara County Appellate Division on behalf of a KGACLC client, with positive implications for all consumers. Hanchel Cheng, J.D. ’25 served as lead trial counsel, Dylan Crosby Moghadam ’26 argued the appeal, and Kaelin Olson ’27 supported drafting the appellate brief. 

“Only about 10–15% of civil appeals are successful, so the students really accomplished something remarkable here,” said Professor Maurer. The students’ victory extended KGACLC’s undefeated record in collection defense litigation. 

READ THE STORY

Bates Mediation Clinic

Santa Clara Law and Stanford Law School discuss AI and dispute resolution

In partnership with the Stanford Negotiation and Mediation Program, the Bates Mediation Clinic hosted an engaging discussion for students and the wider community on how AI tools are being used by lawyers and mediators, the practical and ethical implications, and what these changes mean for the future of legal practice. 

 

MEET THE PANEL

Entrepreneurs' Law Clinic (ELC)

Small businesses and startups give ELC students glowing reviews

Small and early stage businesses often struggle to secure high quality, reliable legal counsel due to resource constraints. ELC clients—from nonprofits to tech startups to social impact ventures—have commended our participating 2L and 3L students for helping them make sense of contracts, drafting policies and procedures, and generally exceeding expectations.

EXPLORE ELC'S SERVICES

Northern California Innocence Project (NCIP)

First-year students explore racial bias in the criminal legal system

Last month, all 1Ls gathered in Charney Hall for the Critical Lawyering Skills Seminar, led by Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence Thiadora Pina and featuring a presentation by NCIP Clinical Supervising Attorneys Lauryn Barbosa Findley, J.D. ’20 and Sarah Pace on the history of innocence work and racial bias in the criminal legal system. Students also heard firsthand testimonials from exonerated clients Miguel Solorio and Armando Ortiz.

LEARN MORE ABOUT NCIP

Immigration Appellate Practice Clinic (IAPC)

Recent grads granted precedent decision by Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Under the supervision of Professor Evangeline Abriel, Ulises Solis, J.D. ’25 and Kelsey Salas, J.D. ’25 wrote the opening and reply briefs and presented oral arguments last fall before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for an IAPC client. In January, the Ninth Circuit granted relief to the client in a precedent decision, confirming that asylum applicants who are victims of domestic abuse do not need to report the abuse to their government to show said government was unable or unwilling to protect them.

READ THE DECISION

International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC)

IHRC partners with Santa Clara County to address women and girls' homelessness
 

IHRC has partnered with the Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women to address women and girls experiencing homelessness. Last fall, IHRC law students presented policy recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, and this spring, the Clinic will support the Commission and the County Administration in developing a Critical Action Plan to meet the unique and urgent needs of women and girls experiencing homelessness. 

READ THE REPORT

Events 
 

Join us at the annual Benefit for Justice on March 20 to support the social justice work being done at Santa Clara Law, such as our newly announced Manaster-Stevens Public Interest Fellowship.

RSVP NOW

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