USD Law Advocate, Spring 2026

Interim Academic Director Eric Austin ‘11 (JD), Professor Tammy Lin ‘06 (JD), Professor Sandra Wagner (ret.), Professor Michael Devitt, Professor Ali Brown ‘13 (JD), Vice Dean Robert Muth and Kelley Hallet The Legal Clinics play an important role in the San Diego community by providing vital pro bono legal services while giving students meaningful legal experience. Recent developments in the Housing Rights Clinic, the Immigration Clinic and the newly launched Innocence Clinic reflect the many ways USD Law’s clinical education programs continue to flourish. CLINICAL IMPACT

F ounded in 1971, the Legal Clinics provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities for students who want to hit the ground run ning as practicing attorneys by the time they graduate from law school. The clinics operate as an extension of the law school’s excellent doctrinal program while providing countless hours of free legal services to clients in need and training generations of students in lawyering best practices. Today, the program has grown to 13 thriving clinics, well equipped to address wide-ranging legal matters including workers’ rights, veterans’ affairs, and educa tion and disability issues. Now under the leadership of

Interim Academic Director Eric Austin ’11 (JD)—and with the strong foundation established by his predeces sors, Vice Dean Robert Muth and Professor of Law Margaret Dalton ’94 (JD)—the clinics have long been trusted sources of legal services in the San Diego com munity. This year alone, graduates of the Class of 2025 fulfilled an impressive 19,200-plus hours of service at the clinics, estimated to be worth over $3.3 million in monetary value to the local San Diego community. Dean and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law Robert A. Schapiro praised the work of the clinics, say ing, “They continue to confront humanity’s challenges. Their work is truly a signature of legal excellence.”

SPRING 2026

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