Law Clinics
Opportunities to practice—and support the greater good
Being of service doesn’t have to wait until you graduate from the Creighton University School of Law. Our three law clinics allow you to earn credit and gain real-world experience while providing free legal services to Douglas County residents. You may work in one of these clinics as a third-year law student after gaining authorization to practice law under the supervision of clinic faculty and attorneys. (Students in the Accelerated JD program may work in a clinic during their second year.)
Creighton Law Clinics
About our clinical program
Through the School of Law’s clinical program, students earn four credit hours while learning essential lawyering skills, such as:
- Counseling
- Drafting pleadings and business documents
- Interviewing
- Negotiating settlements
- Oral argument
- Trial preparation
You’ll represent clients from the initial interview through trial (and sometimes through appeal). As you gain practical legal skills, you’ll be exposed to ethical issues confronting lawyers as they endeavor to maintain and improve the profession. You’ll also encounter challenges in the legal system—and their impact on access to justice for low-income individuals and families.
Gaining authorization
To work in our clinics, students must be senior-certified. This certification is provided by the School of Law’s dean to law students with “senior standing” who exhibit good character and competent legal ability. Then authorization is granted by the Nebraska Supreme Court, in alignment with its Senior Law Student Practice Rules (Neb. Ct. R. §§ 3-701–3-706). These rules allow students to participate in legal activities under the general supervision of a Nebraska-licensed attorney.
