The Notre Dame Clinical Law Center is a teaching law office and clinical education program operated by Notre Dame Law School, providing free legal services to underserved communities while training law students in practical legal skills. Specializing in a diverse range of legal fields, the center stands out for its dual mission of experiential education and social justice advocacy, serving clients who cannot afford legal representation.
Under the close supervision of experienced faculty attorneys, second- and third-year law students and LL.M. candidates handle real cases, gaining hands-on experience in litigation, transactional work, and mediation. The center focuses on assisting low-income individuals, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and marginalized groups, both locally in the South Bend region and internationally, upholding a commitment to justice rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Services Offered
- Applied Mediation for civil matters including child custody, parenting time, landlord-tenant disputes, and contract disputes
- Community Development services for nonprofit organizations and small businesses
- Eviction defense and related litigation for low-income clients
- Exoneration Justice services, including investigation and litigation of wrongful convictions
- Global Human Rights representation, training, education, and advocacy against human rights violations worldwide
- Immigration legal counseling and representation before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Immigration Courts
- Intellectual Property services regarding patent, copyright, and trademark law
- Religious Liberty protection for individuals’ rights to exercise, express, and live according to their beliefs
- Special Education advocacy for parents of children with disabilities, focusing on services, accessibility, and accommodations
- Veterans Law assistance with disability claims and appeals for U.S. military veterans
The center operates across multiple locations in South Bend, including its main facility at 725 Howard Street, and serves clients globally through its human rights and religious liberty initiatives. Services are provided in English, with potential language assistance depending on clinic and case availability.
