To learn more about the Clinical Curriculum and Registration, please visit our Clinical Registration Center. You can also find more information on How to Register for Clinics and How Clinical Credits Work.

For more information about this clinic, please visit the Clinic Website and OCP Blog Highlights.

Enrollment in this clinic will fulfill the HLS JD pro bono requirement.

Required Class Component: Capital Punishment in America (4 fall classroom credits). Some seats are reserved for clinical students. Once a student enrolls in this clinic, the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs will enroll them in the required course. If a student drops this clinic, they will also lose their seat in the required class component.

Additional Co-/Pre-Requisites: None.

By Permission: No.

Add/Drop Deadline: September 6, 2024.

LLM Students: International students on F-1 student visas are required to have Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization; LL.M. students are not eligible for CPT.

Multi-Semester: This is a winter-spring clinic (2 winter clinical credits + 2-3 spring clinical credits).

Placement Site: Various externship placements.

The Capital Punishment Clinic offers opportunities for students to represent clients with capital sentences through placements at capital punishment organizations, law firms, and governmental agencies throughout the country. Clinical work is full-time and on-site during the winter term, and continues on a part-time and remote basis in the spring term. This clinic is graded Credit/Fail. During spring term, students are required to attend mandatory 6 meetings with Prof. Steiker. Meetings held before spring break will be held during lunch hour, with Prof. Steiker, on zoom, with students together in a room, with lunch provided. After spring break, Prof. Steiker will meet in-person, with students, during these required lunch meetings.

This is an externship clinic. During spring term students should have at least one full day available to work on clinic assignments, with the remaining time available in 4-5 hour blocks.

Please contact the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs for more information about this clinic and it’s possible placements (clinical@law.harvard.edu or 617-495-5202).

Successful completion of appropriate written work in this offering satisfies the professional writing requirement for matriculants to the J.D. program from 2023 onward.