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Mike Flynn HS
Michael W. Flynn
Associate Dean for Global Engagement, Clinical Professor of Law

    Professor Mike Flynn has the best "job" in the world. Originally from Iowa, he earned his B.A. in ancient history from Tufts University. He then moved to San Francisco to earn his J.D. from UC Hastings (UC Law SF). During that time, he coached and competed with several champion moot court teams. He was also the Co-Chair of Hastings Outlaw, which intervened in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez to defend the rights of LGBTQ students.  He externed twice for Superior Court Judge James L. Warren and California Supreme Court Justice Carlos R. Moreno.  

    As an attorney, Professor Flynn clerked for the Civil and Appellate Divisions of the San Francisco Superior Court, served as a Litigation Associate for a boutique firm in San Francisco, acted as General Counsel and Senior Vice-President of a social media marketing company, and then worked for a commercial bar prep company. From 2009-2020, he was appointed counsel for clients appealing felony convictions with the Sixth District Appellate Program and the California Appellate Project. 

    He began teaching legal writing courses at UC Law SF in 2007, and joined the Santa Clara Law faculty in 2010. At Santa Clara Law, he has taught Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Legal Writing, Appellate Advocacy, bar exam preparation classes, and The Skill of Ethical Lawyering. In the 2023-2024 academic year, he was a Visiting Professor at UC Law SF, teaching Constitutional Law.

    Outside the school, he created and hosted the podcast, Legal Lad’s Quick and Dirty Tips for a More Lawful Life. He was a member of the Content Scope Committee for the NextGen Bar Exam, focusing on criminal and constitutional law. He served as a member of the Faculty Advisory Board of the Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Leavey School of Business. 

    Professor Flynn has served in various administrative roles at Santa Clara Law.  He directed Santa Clara's moot court programs, served as the Coordinator of the Legal Writing Department, the Director of the Office of Academic and Bar Success, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  He has directed or co-directed summer and spring break abroad programs in Singapore, Munich, Geneva, London, and The Hague. He now serves as the Associate Dean for Global Engagement and advises the Journal of International Law. 

    Professor Flynn lives in San Francisco with the cutest dog on earth.  

    Education

    J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law (UC Law SF)

    B.A., Tufts University