Academics
Clinic Descriptions
Melina Healey, Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Director of Clinical Programs
The Advanced In-House Clinic is available to students who have successfully completed an in-
house clinic (Criminal Prosecution clinic does not qualify). Advanced Clinic can be taken for 2
credits (with 5 hours per week of case work) or 3 credits (with 10 hours per week of case work).
In addition, there is a once weekly 90-minute seminar. This Clinic provides an opportunity to
assume a greater range of responsibilities in case work, to collaborate on cases across clinics
through inter-clinic collaboration, and to help supervise new clinic students on client work.
Students in the Advanced Clinic will continue their ongoing client cases, take on additional
cases, deepen their engagement with the relevant substantive issues, and learn from the problems
and opportunities presented by the case work of their fellow students.The seminar takes the
learning opportunities presented by the students’ case work as its primary material, employing in
weekly “case rounds” discussions planned and led by the students. They will engage in
structured reflection and consultation with each other about their cases; review and provide
feedback on drafts of written submissions; discuss possible strategic and ethical choices that
must be made on cases; and “moot” each other to prepare for upcoming court appearances,
hearings, or other advocacy contexts.
Bankruptcy and Mortgage Foreclosure Clinic (6 credits)
Leif Rubinstein, Associate Professor of Law
Child Support Mediation Clinic (3 credits)
Gene D. Barr, , Associate Professor of Law
Criminal Defense Clinic (5 credits)*
This clinic focuses on “Holistic Lawyering,” treating the whole client in a criminal case. Students learn about the concepts of holistic lawyering, interviewing and communication with the client, bail reform, integrating social work services to help clients navigate the court system, discovery reform and review, investigation, omnibus motion writing, mitigation, plea bargaining, trial prep and collateral consequences. Students will engage in the practice of criminal defense work, in the courts and on the record, with real, current violation and misdemeanor criminal cases in the Cohalan Criminal Court, Central Islip assigned to The Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County. 12 clinic hours are required per week in addition to the class time and assignments/readings for class, and must be fulfilled in person on two out of three days on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 am- 1:00 pm.
Initially students will learn about criminal arraignments, and then actually arraign clients assigned to The Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County in court. Students will then learn about “working a criminal case” and be assigned several cases through the semester to manage, under the supervision of Professor Justesen, from start to finish. Enrollment in this clinic requires Evidence as a prerequisite, Criminal Procedure as a pre or co-requisite, an interview with the clinic professor, additional screening by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society, and will be limited to 4 students.
Criminal Prosecution Clinic - Kings County DA (5 credits)
Michael Boykin, Adjunct Professor
Criminal Prosecution Clinic - Suffolk County DA (5 credits)
John Buonora, Adjunct Professor
Education Justice Clinic (6 credits)
Melina Healey, Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Clinical Programs
Immigration Rights Advocacy Clinic (6 credits)
Mauricio Noroña , Clinical Professor of Law
The Immigration Rights Advocacy Clinic is a new, intensive, live-client clinic where students represent immigrants in deportation and related proceedings. In addition, students have the opportunity to collaborate with community-based organizations assisting immigrants on scale while developing litigation and non-litigation advocacy modalities.
In this clinic, students gain significant experience in litigation by representing immigrants who are dealing with deportation due to encounters with the criminal legal system or those seeking asylum from persecution abroad. They will have the opportunity to conduct trials, perform direct and cross examinations of witnesses, handle expert testimony, and draft and present briefs and motions. These valuable litigation skills can be applied to any future court practice. Most importantly, working on these cases provides students with a chance to make a life-changing impact for their clients, including securing their release from detention and reuniting families. Beyond individual cases, students engage in advocacy projects, where they learn how to use the law to challenge systemic injustice by collaborating with community-based and advocacy organizations. The clinic seminar covers various aspects of immigration law, lawyering skills, ethical considerations, and sociopolitical analysis of immigration laws and policies that affect their clients.
No specific prerequisites are required for this course. The Immigration Rights Advocacy Clinic presents an excellent opportunity for students interested in pursuing a career in immigration or community-based lawyering of any kind.
Landlord-Tenant Mediation Clinic (3 credits)
AveMaria Thompson, Adjunct Professor of Law
Clinic students have an opportunity to engage in both client representation and conduct neutral facilitative mediation in this innovative clinic. Students are trained in landlord tenant law and are given the important responsibility to represent litigants and conduct mediations in active landlord-tenant cases in Suffolk County District Court. Students will learn the basics of landlord-tenant law and mediation techniques. Seminar includes simulations of housing cases, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution. This clinic will provide a critically important service to litigants and judges in landlord-tenant matters. Students will also develop advocacy and negotiation skills, proficiency in mediation, and knowledge of landlord-tenant law and court procedures.
Senior Citizens Law Clinic (6 credits)
Denise Marzano-Doty, Adjunct Professor of Law
AveMaria Thompson, Staff Attorney
Small Business and Not-for-Profit Clinic (3 credits)
William Bird, III, Adjunct Professor of Law
Veterans' and Servicemembers' Rights Clinic (6 credits)
Patrick Donohue, Supervising Attorney and Adjunct Professor of Law
The clinic honors the sacrifices of the men and women who have worn the uniforms of our nation’s armed forces. The services the clinic provides are particularly needed in Suffolk County, which has one of the largest concentrations of veterans anywhere in the country, and is the site of a major VA Hospital, the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The clinic gives priority to matters that will prevent or relieve homelessness or remove barriers to reintegration of veterans into civilian life.
This clinic was featured in the Touro College magazine Links.
This clinic was featured in the New York Post