Experiential Learning: Clinics, Externships & Practical Courses

Experiential education is central to Miami Law’s mission to prepare students for modern legal practice. Through a diverse array of courses, students can apply theory from the classroom to real-world legal problems.

No matter what area of law students want to pursue, every student can gain practical experience and develop core competencies used by lawyers through a clinic, practicum, externship, Litigation or Transactional skills course, or other innovative programs.

READ: Experiential Learning FAQs

WATCH: Kele Stewart, Co-Director of the Children and Youth Law Clinic, Professor of Law, and Former Dean of Experiential Learning discuss the importance of hands-on learning.

Clinics

Miami Law’s clinical program offers students an immersive opportunity to build transferable lawyering skills representing actual clients, while providing critical legal services to underserved clients and communities.

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Practicums

Practicums give students insight into a specific area of legal interest and a window into what it is like to practice in that area. Students get real-world experience working under the supervision of attorneys and professors in a non-lawyering role as they work on cases.

  • J.D. Practicums
    • Building Worker and Community Power to Respond to the Carceral State
    • Death Penalty Practicum
  • LL.M. Practicums
    • Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law
    • Estate Planning
    • International Arbitration
    • Real Property Development
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Externships

Miami Law’s externship courses provide students the opportunity to gain practical legal experience, while participating in a class focused on professional identity formation and practice skills. Students work with public interest organizations, government agencies, judges and in-house law departments in any practice area they choose.

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Litigation Skills

Miami Law’s Litigation Skills program offers rigorous courses on the theory and practice of pre-trial and trial advocacy. Using realistic case files and simulations, students practice their lawyering skills every week in small sections and get feedback from highly experienced federal and state court lawyers and judges
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Moot Court / Mock Trial

In moot courts students learn how to litigate a case doing what attorneys do in real life. Students act as counselors and advocate the different sides of a case based on a problem written by an organization or school.

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Transactional Skills

Miami Law’s Transactional Skills program offers practice-oriented courses in transactional law. Through a combination of lectures and simulations, students learn and practice skills such a client communication, negotiation, drafting various contracts and transactional documents and due diligence.
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International Exchange Opportunities

In today's global economy, expertise in only one country's system of laws is at times, no longer sufficient. While Miami Law has expertise in teaching in the area of international law , for students looking to learn more about international law beyond the classroom , Miami Law offers multiple opportunities to earn credit overseas.

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Law Without Walls (LWOW)

LWOW unites law and business professionals with students from 30 law and business schools around the world to co-create innovative solutions to problems at the intersection of law+business+technology while developing the skills essential to all professionals today. 
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For More Information

Please contact Rebecca Sharpless, Associate Dean for Experiential Learning, Professor of Law and Director, Immigration Clinic