Overview

The Religious Liberty Clinic is the newest addition to the Mills Legal Clinic, and is presently the only clinic of its kind in the country.  The clinic offers participating students a dynamic, real-world experience representing a diverse group of clients in disputes arising from a wide range of religious beliefs, practices, and customs in a variety of circumstances.  Students learn in class and apply in practice the laws affecting religious liberty, whether statutory or constitutional, and are expected to counsel individual or institutional clients and litigate on their behalf with technical excellence, professionalism, and maturity.

During the term, students handle a discrete accommodation project—e.g., represent a prisoner, student, or employee facing obstacles in the exercise of his or her faith—and participate in a longer-term project involving religion in the public square—e.g., represent a small church, synagogue, or mosque with zoning issues, or a faith-based group seeking access to public facilities.  Opportunities to draft amicus briefs may also arise.  The clinic involves administrative, trial, and appellate practice—though time constraints may not permit each student to work in all areas—united under the theme of “religious liberty for all.”  Because the clinic is a new and unique venture, students can also help in marketing and outreach efforts to the religious and wider communities.