Dear Friends,

Following the release of U.S. News & World Report's latest law school rankings, I’m happy to share that the Santa Clara Law community continues to move forward together. We’re proud that our unique strengths are being more clearly recognized, including our social justice program, which has been named #10 in the nation by National Jurist. 

The recognition reflects our strong commitment to supporting and standing up for marginalized and vulnerable communities. As you'll see below, this important mission is carried out through the impactful work of the Center for Social Justice and Public Service, the Public Interest JD program, and our six community-based clinics: the Northern California Innocence Project, the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center Clinic, the Entrepreneurs’ Law Clinic, the International Human Rights Clinic, the Immigration Appellate Practice Clinic, and the Bates Mediation Clinic. 

Their incredible accomplishments in service of others exemplify the Santa Clara Law experience: It is transformative, community-centered and rooted in Jesuit values which remind us of the equal dignity of every human being.

With warm regards and tremendous gratitude,

 

Michael J. Kaufman
Dean and Professor of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law

Entrepreneurs’ Law Clinic (ELC)

From flying cars to caregiving: ELC gives student breadth of advocacy experience

Adi Ofir, 3L (left), Alef Aeronautics flying car (top right)

Our Entrepreneurs’ Law Clinic (ELC) gives 2L and 3L students the opportunity to work with business leaders on a variety of transactions such as entity formation, operational contracts, terms of service, and more. The work is as diverse as the clients ELC serves – nonprofits, fitness coaches, tech startups, and more. 

Adi Ofir (3L) knows this firsthand: As an ELC-B advanced clinic student and member of Santa Clara Law’s Tech Edge J.D. program, she’s served both a company working on flying cars and a small nonprofit supporting caregivers and those living with chronic illness.

“The Entrepreneurs’ Law Clinic is where legal thinking meets real-world practice. The value isn’t just in the research and analysis we provide – it’s how we translate it into a clear path forward for our clients. It’s especially rewarding to support founders working on real ideas, alongside supervisors who push us to ensure our advice is both precise and practical,” says Ofir.

This semester, Ofir has worked on compliance matters for Alef Aeronautics, a sustainable electric transportation company founded in 2015 and based in San Mateo, California. Alef Aeronautics is designing and developing a flying car that differentiates itself from other models by being able to take off vertically and fly forward. 

Last spring, Ofir partnered with Lisa Obenza, J.D. ‘25 to represent Peace in the Storm, a faith-based organization that seeks to help caregivers and persons with chronic illness, ongoing pain, disability, and other life challenges find community and deepen their connection to God. Peace in the Storm Executive Director Maureen Pratt says, “As a new nonprofit, navigating the necessary legal documentation can be a really intimidating process. The ELC clinicians were truly concerned about providing professional and top-quality work and everything that they did for us will be immediately implemented and supportive of the operations of our organization now and in the future.” 

LEARN MORE

International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC)

IHRC cited in judgment for landmark forced sterilization case

Last month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued a press release notifying the publication of its judgment in the landmark case, Ramos Durand et al. v. Peru. In that judgment, the Court agreed with the arguments put forward by the IHRC, including that the State of Peru violated the victim’s rights to sexual and reproductive health to life, personal integrity, privacy, information, family life, and to equality before the law by sterilizing her in a discriminatory manner and without her free and informed consent, which caused her death. Students Nicholas Brosamle, Jason Cowan, Lea Crase, Colleen Gill, Asha Kadakia, Christina Nadeau, Andrey Volkov, and Max Wetzel worked for two years drafting an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in support of the petitioner’s case under the supervision of Clinic Director Francisco Rivera and Deputy Director Britton Schwartz. The judgment mentions the amicus on paragraph 12 and footnote 12. 

EXPLORE IHRC'S CASES & PROJECTS

Northern California Innocence Project (NCIP)

NCIP joins hundreds of advocates and exonerees at the 2026 Innocence Network Conference

NCIP staff members, along with clients and supporters, convened in Chicago, Illinois for the Innocence Network Conference, held on April 10-11, 2026. The annual event brings together those impacted by wrongful convictions, their advocates, and community members for a weekend of educational programming, community building, collective action, and healing. Areas of focus this year included post-conviction litigation for new and experienced attorneys, post-release and reentry support, and organizational development.

LEARN MORE

Bates Mediation Clinic

Meet Bates Mediation Clinic Instructor Judge Peter Kirwan

Hon. Peter Kirwan began his legal career in 1986 after earning his J.D. at Santa Clara Law and retired in April 2024. He has been a longtime supporter of the law school, teaching Mediation Theory and Practice as an adjunct professor and volunteering to judge the Galloway Moot Court Competition for first year students. Judge Kirwan now guides Bates Mediation Clinic students through hands-on mediations at the Small Claims Division of the Santa Clara Superior Court. Judge Kirwan has described his involvement with the Clinic as a “privilege” due to “the incredible opportunity it gives law students to conduct actual mediations.” Judge Kirwan now serves as a mediator, arbitrator, judicial & discovery referee, and special master with Signature Resolution, a firm specializing in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

LEARN MORE

Immigration Appellate Practice Clinic (IAPC)

IAPC works on releasing client from detention after favorable court ruling

The IAPC is happy to announce that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of one of its clients, finding that he was not removable. The Clinic is now working on obtaining his release from detention. In addition, Clinic students are working on opening briefs in three new cases pending before the Court. The cases raise complex issues on asylum and relief under the Convention against Torture, and IAPC looks forward to supporting their deserving clients and presenting oral arguments on their behalf in the fall.

LEARN MORE

Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center (KGACLC)

Pro bono in action: Partnering with purpose 
 

KGACLC's Pro Bono Program is a bridge to the community, significantly extending its presence. Volunteers Alexis Hatcher,  J.D. '22; Nallely Montes, J.D. '23; and Berta Moreno-Jackson are pictured in action at a recent outreach event at Veggielution Community Farm in East San Jose. "A commitment to giving back to the community drew me to Santa Clara University, especially through organizations like the KGACLC, where I've continued to volunteer even after graduation," shares Montes. KGACLC's education and outreach brings legal resources and referrals directly to the public, ensuring its expertise serves not only law students but moves beyond the classroom into the community. Thank you to the attorneys and advocates who partner with KGACLC! To support KGACLC's  Pro Bono Program or volunteer, contact Maryam Nemazie: mnemazie@scu.edu.

LEARN MORE

Give Back

Support the Santa Clara Law Post-Bar Public Defender Fellowship Program

Public defenders’ offices across the country depend on aspiring attorneys who are committed to serving marginalized and underrepresented individuals. However, the period between law school graduation and bar licensure can be financially challenging, especially for students entering public interest careers where early compensation may be limited or delayed. Many of our graduates receive offers for post-bar clerkships with public defenders’ offices, competitive opportunities that often lead to staff attorney positions. However, these clerkships frequently offer modest or no compensation or begin after bar results, creating a significant financial barrier for students who want to pursue careers in public defense.

The newly created Santa Clara Law Post-Bar Public Defender Fellowship Program will provide financial support to recent graduates who have secured a post-bar law clerk position with a public defender’s office. Additionally, the fellowship will bridge the ever-growing financial gap between bar study and full-time employment, enabling more graduates to enter and remain in public defense careers.

SUPPORT NOW

__

Follow us on social media

Need to update your information with Santa Clara Law? Click here