Beginning with the Class of 2013, students must produce a portfolio of three items in addition to the Substantial Research Paper. The Portfolio Writing Requirement specifies that clinical work product qualifies: “Legal writing for a clinical placement or placements determined by the full-time faculty member overseeing the placement or by the Clinical Program Director to be substantial work product.” Students have used writing from their Civil Clinics as items for their writing portfolios. If a student has a document to submit, the first step is to have the clinic supervisor give permission to use the document by signing the second page of this form. After receiving permission, give the signed permission form along with a copy of the document to Clinical Program Director Linda Smith, who will determine if the clinical document qualifies for the writing portfolio. If accepted, the student and Professor Smith will sign the following form.
Several students have asked whether writing done during Judicial Clinics might also qualify for the writing portfolio requirement. The Clinical Program asked judges who routinely work with Quinney law interns if they would consider allowing work product from judicial clinics to be used in a student’s writing portfolio. In short, some judges will decide on an individual basis if their chambers will allow work done during the clinic to be used; other judges have decided that they will not consider it at all. You may check with Kay in the Clinical Program office to see if your judge will not allow clinic work to be used or if he or she has opted to make that decision on a case-by-case basis.