Legal Definitions - clinical legal studies

Definition: Clinical legal studies refer to law-school training where students participate in actual cases under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor. This type of training was first introduced in the late 1960s as an alternative to traditional apprenticeship programs.

For example, a law student may work with a practicing attorney to represent a client in a real court case. The student would be responsible for conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, and even presenting arguments in court, all under the guidance of the supervising attorney or professor.

Clinical legal studies provide students with hands-on experience and practical skills that are essential for a career in law. By working on real cases, students can apply the legal theories they learn in the classroom to real-world situations.