School of Law Celebrates Clinical Education Sept. 21
September 1, 2006
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
The University of Baltimore School of Law will celebrate its esteemed clinical education program with a special event on Thursday, Sept. 21. Clinical education at UB covers a wide range of issues, from community development to family law to tax questions, and each year as many as 200 students participate in the experiential learning opportunities in the law school’s clinics. The celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the law school lobby and the adjacent Venable Baetjer Howard Moot Court Room, both in the John and Frances Angelos Law Center, 1429 Maryland Ave.
A highlight of the event will be the awarding of a new professorship in clinical theory and practice to Jane C. Murphy, professor of law, founder of the Family Law Clinic and former director of clinical education. The chair was endowed with a gift from an anonymous donor who is an alumnus of the School of Law and a longtime supporter. In establishing this chair, UB joins Columbia and Yale universities and a handful of other law schools in recognizing the importance of clinical education in this way. Murphy, whose teaching, public service and scholarship have been recognized with numerous awards, has been a member of the School of Law faculty since 1988.
Murphy, a prominent advocate for improving access to justice, particularly in the area of family law, said the clinical education in the School of Law is singular in both its offerings and its outlook.
“The clinical experience gives students the opportunity to see how their legal education can make a profound and positive difference in people’s lives,” Murphy said. “As a public law school, we have an obligation, not only to provide a first rate legal education for Maryland’s future lawyers, but also to give back to the broader community. Our clinical program lets us do that.
“For over two decades, we have represented hundreds of low income clients, adults, children, neighborhood associations and other nonprofit organizations. Clinic students and faculty have also made important contributions to Maryland’s legal system. The clinics, for example, played a major role in restructuring the state’s family court system. That’s a vital part of the concept of clinical education—we are training Maryland’s future leaders.”
The clinical law program at the University of Baltimore has become nationally recognized, ranking in the top 20 in U.S. News & World Report and garnering praise and numerous awards from the state’s legal community and the world of legal education. Clinical students, working as provisionally licensed attorneys in a faculty-supervised clinical setting, provide legal services, including counseling, planning case strategies and appearing before courts or administrative agencies. They work in one of eight clinics—Appellate, Civil Advocacy, Community Development, Criminal Practice, Disability Law, Family Law, Family Mediation and Tax—and often end up representing individual clients as well as engaging in more systemic work, such as drafting legislation, testifying and participating in state and national task forces on issues such as child neglect, foster parenting and domestic violence.
According to Murphy, the clinical education model has become a national standard bearer for students seeking real and effective experience prior to their progression into the world of the law.
“We’ve been at the forefront of this method, and I believe we’re going to continue to be seen as a respected leader in the coming years,” Murphy said. “Lawyers never forget their first experience representing a client, and that is a powerful thing.”
Those interested in attending this event are asked to contact Laura Garcia at 410.837.5659 or lgarcia@ubalt.edu. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.