New Clinical Center Opens

By Lisa Trei, Stanford University News Service

Stanford Law School celebrated the opening of its new Clinical Center with an October 20 reception attended by faculty, students, staff, and alumni. The center, located in the basement of the Crown Quadrangle administration building, includes a reception area, interview rooms, conference rooms, glass-walled offices for faculty and fellows, and a large, open area filled with student workstations.

Professor William Koski (PhD '03), director of the Youth and Education Law Clinic (left), and Professor R. Richard Banks Photo: Robert March

Lawrence C. Marshall, professor and clinic director (left), Dean Larry Kramer, and Senior Lecturer David Mills Photo: Robert March

Third-year law students Darien Shanske (left), James Darrow, and Lauren Kofke with Pamela S. Karlan (second from left), professor and codirector of the Supreme Court Litigation Clinic Photo: Linda A. Cicero

"Although it was controversial at first, having all that glass was about [developing] a sense of intense community," said Lawrence C. Marshall, Professor of Law, David and Stephanie Mills Director of Clinical Education, and Associate Dean for Public Interest and Clinical Education. "We're not holing ourselves into our offices and closing the door; we're wide open and inviting interaction."

The remodeled space is larger than the clinic's previous offices, allowing more students to pursue clinical work. "The commitment that this institution is demonstrating toward building its clinics is just enormous," said Marshall. "It's a dramatic difference from where clinics were a decade ago."

Gail Block Harris '77 (BA '74), of counsel at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; and Louis Friedman '86 (BA '83), vice chairman, investment banking at Bear Stearns & Company, Inc. Photo: Robert March

Kathleen M. Sullivan, professor and former dean; Gordon Davidson '74 (BS '70 MS '71), chairman of Fenwick & West; and James Gaither '64, managing director of Sutter Hill Ventures Photo: Robert March

The law school now operates nine clinics, in capital defense, community law, criminal prosecution, cyberlaw, environmental law, immigrants' rights, international community law (in Ghana), Supreme Court litigation, and youth and education law.

Marshall realizes that few Stanford law graduates will pursue the kind of work experienced in much of clinical education. But he wants future lawyers to consider their options when they join firms. "What makes me proudest [is] the student who calls me five years later and says, 'I'm working on this pro bono project that I took on because of my experience in clincs, and I'm really proud of it.'" Marshall said. "That's good stuff."