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, Clinic Q&A and OCP Blog Highlights.

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

Required Class Component: Judicial Process in Trial Courts (2 fall classroom credits). This clinic and course are bundled; your enrollment in this clinic will automatically enroll you in the required course.

Additional Co-/Pre-Requisites: None.

By Permission: No.

Add/Drop Deadline: August 7, 2026.

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, but may enroll separately in the Class Component. 

Placement Site: Various internship placements with trial court judges.

Students undertake clinical fieldwork study of judicial performance through clerkship-like clinical placements with federal judges and magistrate judges in the U.S. District Court and judges of the Superior Court, Boston Municipal Court, and District Court of the Departments of the Massachusetts Trial Court. Students are expected to be available to do research and writing projects for their assigned judge, and are expected to observe and assist their judge for at least 2 clinical credits, or eight hours per week. Three short reflection papers and one final paper required.

Students must have at least one full day available for their judicial placement. Students may earn up to five credits for additional fieldwork hours with their judge.

Please Note: Interns may not engage in political activities during their internship. An intern may not be involved in any way with fund raising or solicit funds for or contribute to a political organization, candidate, or event.

For more information, please contact Barbara Berenson; barbara.f.berenson@gmail.com or bberenson@law.harvard.edu or David Deakin at ddeakin@law.harvard.edu.