Our law school clinics will give you the practical skills you need to approach your legal profession with confidence. Prosecution Clinic students will be exposed to the role and responsibilities of a prosecutor, while Constitutional Litigation Clinic students will play an essential role in federal and state cases affecting religious liberty, the sanctity of human life, and the traditional family.
Clinical Programs
Intellectual Property Clinic
Students in the Intellectual Property Clinic help real clients solve intellectual property problems. The clinic primarily assists start-up businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and Christian ministries with trademark, copyright, and trade secret issues. This includes counseling such clients on things like product naming, brand identification, protecting creative works (literature, music, movies, artwork, and software), and protecting client lists and other confidential information.
The clinic is proud to be certified by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for trademark practice. Under the supervision of the clinic director, students conduct trademark searches, counsel clients on trademark protection, and file trademark applications with the USPTO.
The application process is competitive and accepted students are required to take courses in trademark law and general intellectual property law.
Get Involved
Andrew P. Connors, Esq.
Intellectual Property Clinic Director
(434) 592-5300
apconnors@liberty.edu
Potential clients are encouraged to request to participate in the clinic by emailing ipclinic@liberty.edu.
Prosecution Clinic
Work closely with Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys and get the opportunity to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia in the prosecution of criminal law cases. Law school clinic students will construct plea offers with defense counsel, prepare witnesses for court, and conduct hearings and criminal trials.
The Prosecution Clinic offers law school students the opportunity to participate in a summer and fall externship in Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Offices. Students will work under the direct supervision of a faculty supervisor and Commonwealth Attorney’s Office prosecutors and will be involved in all aspects of criminal prosecution.
The clinic will also contain a classroom component where you will cover subject matter that includes the following:
- Role of the prosecutor
- Ethics
- Prosecutorial discretion
- Plea bargaining
- Preparing for motions and hearings
- Responding to requests for discovery
- Litigation skills
- Preparing jury instructions
- Understanding sentencing guidelines, etc.
You also may conduct legal research and writing, write motions and briefs, and give oral arguments. Receive two credit hours each for the summer and fall semesters, respectively.
Get Involved
Cynthia E. Tompkins
Director, Center for Prosecution
(434) 592-5300
cetompkins@liberty.edu
Constitutional Litigation Clinic
Gain the unique opportunity to help safeguard constitutional liberties in real cases. Through the clinic, you will provide assistance on actual constitutional matters while receiving guidance and training from expert civil rights attorneys. You will play an important support role in federal and state cases affecting religious liberty, the sanctity of human life, and the traditional family. Through the clinic, you will also have the opportunity to protect constitutional freedoms, defend first principles, and help restore the culture.
In this intense clinical experience, you’ll learn more about these topics:
- Civil procedure
- Evidence
- Substantive law
- Law office management
- Ethics
- Professional responsibility
Get Involved
Daniel Schmid
Constitutional Litigation Clinic Residential Adjunct Faculty
(434) 592-5300
djschmid@liberty.edu
Child Advocacy and Adoption Clinic I and II
The Child Advocacy and Adoption Clinic gives Liberty Law students the opportunity to advocate for vulnerable children and represent parties in adoptions while developing real-world legal skills under the supervision of an experienced attorney.
Advocacy for children as the least among us is close to the heart of our Lord (Psalm 82:3–4, Proverbs 31:8–9, Matthew 18:5–6, and Mark 10:13–16). Adoption, in turn, presents the beautiful picture of the Gospel as it reflects the adoption of Christians as sons and daughters of God through Christ (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:4–6, Ephesians 1:4–5). Accordingly, in this clinic, students serve as the hands and feet of Christ through meaningful legal work in cases involving child abuse and neglect, foster care, termination of parental rights, custody disputes, guardianships, and adoptions. Working directly with clients, students conduct interviews, draft pleadings, research complex legal issues, and appear in court within Virginia courts.
Beyond casework, students participate in weekly seminars and case rounds that integrate substantive child welfare and adoption law with the ethical and professional responsibilities of advocacy on behalf of children and families.
This year-long clinic (two-semester commitment) allows up to five third-year students to gain invaluable courtroom and client experience while reflecting the heart of the Gospel by helping to bring healing, stability, and hope through child advocacy and adoption-related legal work. The clinic operates in cooperation with the Law Office of Debra M. Beale, PLLC, and is directed by Professor Debra Beale, who serves as the adjunct professor and supervising attorney for the clinic.
Get Involved
Debra Beale
Child Advocacy and Adoption Clinic Residential Adjunct Faculty
(434) 592-5300
dmbeale@liberty.edu
Virginia Legal Aid Clinic I and II
The Virginia Legal Aid Clinic equips Liberty Law students to pursue justice and serve low-income individuals and families by assisting them in civil legal matters while developing practical, practice-ready lawyering skills under the supervision of experienced attorneys.
Rooted in the biblical commands to seek justice and love mercy (Micah 6:8), this clinic enables students to live out their calling as ministers of justice to “open your mouth . . . for the rights of all who are destitute” and “defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8–9, ESV). In this clinic, students serve Christ by providing legal assistance to clients facing various issues such as housing and landlord-tenant disputes, consumer protection and debt defense, unemployment claims, and public benefits issues. Students take primary responsibility for each case, including conducting client interviews, researching and analyzing legal issues, drafting pleadings and other documents, negotiating settlements, and appearing in court or at administrative hearings.
Beyond casework, students participate in weekly seminars and case rounds that connect classroom learning to real-world advocacy, focusing on the ethical and professional responsibilities of legal aid practice. The clinic also encourages students to reflect on how their biblical worldview and Christian values inform their professional identity and commitment to justice and mercy.
This year-long clinic (two-semester commitment) allows up to two third-year students to gain invaluable courtroom and client experience while living out Liberty Law’s mission to Train Champions for Christ—helping to bring justice, hope, and dignity to those who need it most.
The clinic operates in cooperation with the Virginia Legal Aid Society and Blue Ridge Consumer Law, PLLC, led by Professor Jeremy White, who serves as the adjunct professor and supervising attorney for the clinic.
Get Involved
Jeremy White
Virginia Legal Aid Clinic Residential Adjunct Faculty
(434) 592-5300
jpwhite6@liberty.edu
Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic I and II
The Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic provides Liberty Law students a unique opportunity to engage directly with cases before the United States Supreme Court and federal appellate courts while developing the advanced research and writing skills required for appellate advocacy at the highest levels.
Grounded in the truth that “[r]ighteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34, ESV), this clinic enables students to serve Christ through advocacy in cases that involve religious liberty and other fundamental Constitutional issues. Through the disciplined craft of legal argumentation, students seek outcomes that honor truth, promote justice, and support the rule of law.
Under the close supervision of experienced faculty, students work on real cases at both the certiorari and merits stages—researching and drafting petitions for certiorari, briefs in opposition and in support, merits briefs, reply briefs, and amicus briefs, all in pending Supreme Court and federal appellate court matters.
Beyond casework, students participate in weekly seminars and case rounds that connect classroom learning to real-world practice, exploring the legal, ethical, and professional issues unique to high-level appellate advocacy. The clinic also encourages students to reflect on how their biblical worldview and Christian values shape their professional identity and commitment to excellence, humility, and justice in advocacy.
This year-long clinic (two-semester commitment) allows up to four third-year students to gain invaluable experience in the specialized practice of appellate and Supreme Court litigation while living out Liberty Law’s mission to Train Champions for Christ.
The clinic operates in cooperation with Liberty Counsel and is directed by Professor Daniel Schmid and Professor Richard Mast, who serve as adjunct professors and supervising attorneys for the clinic.
Get Involved
Daniel Schmid
Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic Residential Adjunct Faculty
(434) 592-5300
djschmid@liberty.edu
Public Defender Clinic I and II
The Public Defender Clinic gives Liberty Law students the opportunity to defend the rights of the accused and serve the cause of justice through the representation of indigent clients in criminal cases. Under the supervision of experienced Virginia public defenders, students engage in every aspect of criminal defense practice—conducting client interviews, researching and analyzing legal issues, drafting motions and pleadings, and advocating in court. Through this work, students develop practical, practice-ready skills while gaining a deep understanding of substantive criminal law, criminal procedure, and the ethical duties of defense counsel.
In commitment to the biblical truth that every person bears the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and that Christ Himself is our advocate before the Father (1 John 2:1), this clinic allows students to live out the reality that defending the accused is not the defense of sin but instead the defense of and search for justice. By holding the prosecution to its proper burden of proof and insisting that criminal procedure and the rules of evidence be faithfully observed, students help preserve both the dignity of the individual made in the image of God and the integrity of the legal system based upon Christian principles.
Beyond casework, students participate in weekly seminars and case rounds that integrate doctrine, ethics, and practice, exploring the lawyer’s calling to be both an advocate for clients and a servant of justice. The clinic also encourages students to reflect on how their biblical worldview and Christian values inform their professional identity and commitment to truth, humility, and compassion in criminal defense.
This year-long clinic (two-semester commitment) allows up to five third-year students to gain invaluable courtroom and client experience while living out Liberty Law’s mission to Train Champions for Christ in the area of criminal defense.
The clinic operates in cooperation with the Lynchburg Public Defender’s Office and is directed by Professor Latrecia Jackson-Hicklen, who serves as the adjunct professor and supervising attorney for the clinic.
Get Involved
Latrecia Jackson-Hicklen
Public Defender Clinic Residential Adjunct Faculty
(434) 592-5300
ljackson110@liberty.edu