Human Rights Clinic: Students

The Human Rights Clinic (HRC) provides students with firsthand experience in cutting-edge human rights litigation and advocacy at the local, national, regional, and international levels.

The HRC is a full year clinic and welcomes 2Ls, 3Ls, and LLMs. Students enroll for 6 credits per semester, attend class twice a week, and spend an average of 15 hours per week on project/case work, which includes at least one hour per week of direct supervision from an instructor. The HRC may also be offered in the summer semester with a more intensive schedule. Some students may stay in the HRC for an additional semester as student fellows

Prerequisites: Commitment to social justice and human rights advocacy. Completion or concurrent enrollment in International Human Rights Law or a basic human rights course is encouraged.

Time Requirements: This Clinic entails a very substantial time commitment in addition to the time spent preparing for and attending class. Clinic class meets for one hour and twenty minutes, twice weekly. Students enroll in the Clinic for 6 credits per semester and are expected to complete an average of 15 hours of Clinic work per week for at least 195 hours total (13 class weeks) for project/case work.

Straight from a Student

“The Human Rights Clinic enabled us to prepare a well-thought out submission to the United Nations with a tight turnaround and bring attention to the critical issue of punitive drug policy’s harmful effects on a population that is often stigmatized and dehumanized. I hope to continue to use knowledge gained through the Human Rights Clinic to advocate for those who are most vulnerable in our society.” Gita Howard, Class of 2021

“Being a part of the Human Rights Clinic honed not only my oral and written advocacy skills, but it opened my eyes to the wide-range of opportunities available to law students interested in public interest work.” Gabrielle Wynn, J.D. ‘20 

“The Human Rights Clinic was the best professional and academic experience of my law school career. As a law student, I testified at an American Bar Association Hearing on Stand Your Ground laws, traveled to Geneva to speak before the United Nations, and provided opening remarks at a hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.” Charlotte Cassel, JD ‘14 

David Stuzin's experience with the Human Rights Clinic

Student Profiles

Rebecca Ramirez J.D. '21: Third-year Law Student Receives Prestigious Fellowship at the Environmental Law Institute

Gabriela Valentín Díaz J.D. '21: 3L Gabriela Valentín Díaz Receives Prestigious Bertha Justice Fellowship to Work at Earthrights

Gita Howard, J.D. '21: Two-Time HOPE Fellow Follows Her Passion for International Human Rights
                                      Recent Graduate and HOPE Fellow Awarded Prestigious Human Rights Program Fellowship

David Stutzin, J.D. ‘21: Via Human Rights Clinic, 3L Fights Criminalization of Food Sharing for Miami’s Homeless

Alexis Bay, J.D. '20: Recent Graduate Awarded Prestigious Justice Catalyst Fellowship with Texas Civil Rights Project

Gabrielle Wynn, J.D. ‘20: Grad Heads to D.C. for Fellowship at Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs

Meredith Shea, J.D. ‘20: Commencement Speaker Heads to the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps

Caroline LaPorte, J.D. '14: Alumna Works at Dream Job at Seminole Tribe of Florida

Drew Aiken, J.D. '12: Recent Miami Law Graduate Receives Fulbright Award to Examine Customary Law in Namibia

Amanda Darlington, J.D. ’12: Law Alumna Effects Change in DC Through Role in Government Affairs and Relations

Human Rights Art Corner

Please see student art work reflecting on social justice and their experience in the Human Rights Clinic.