What Our Alums Have to Say About Their Clinical Experience:

“The Housing Rights Clinic, also known as the “Litigation Clinic”, should more appropriately be called “The Clinic of Hope.” Last year I had the opportunity and privilege to work with Professor Stefan Krieger and several other students in the representation of many indigent families whose cries for help would otherwise have fallen on deaf ears. I managed a small caseload,developed case theories, prepared legal pleadings, and argued on the record.The clinic prepared me for real-world practice in an environment that not only nurtured my mind, but my heart. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything!”

Jainey Samuel
Law Reform Advocacy Clinic, Spring 2009


“The Law Reform Advocacy Clinic connected the classroom and lawyering in a way no prior legal experience had for me. I credit Prof. Krieger and Lynn Capuano’s approach for that. Civ Pro, Evidence, Con Law, and Statutory Interpretation were no longer just classes, they became part of our legal strategy while representing minority and disabled clients in discrimination cases. During the semester, we all gained experience in legal research and writing, hands-on client counseling, witness preparation, discovery strategies, depositions, as well as dealing with opposing counsel and judges. We not only had interesting cases but we also learned valuable advocacy and problem solving skills and case planning techniques we could carry with us after the Clinic was over. In this economic climate, law students can’t afford to not take advantage of Hofstra’s clinic program before graduating law school. I recommend the Law Reform Advocacy Clinic to anyone.”

Steven Richman
Political Asylum Clinic Fall, ’04


“Participating in the Criminal Justice Clinic (CJC) was, by far, the most rewarding experience of my law school career. The CJC provided me with an opportunity to apply the abstract knowledge acquired during my law school classes to concrete court room situations. Specifically, I realized what it actually meant to be an advocate. I gained hands-on experience in research, investigation, motion practice, client counseling, negotiation, and oral advocacy. The most noteworthy acquisition, however, gleaned from my experience at CJC,was confidence.”

Heather Abissi
Criminal Justice Clinic, ’06


“Being a part of the Child Advocacy Clinic was by far the best experience I had as a Hofstra Law School student. It gave me the opportunity to represent real clients, specifically children, in Family Court Proceedings involving abuse and neglect. I developed strong writing skills and learned how to conduct myself when addressing the Court. It is an experience I will never forget.”

Danielle Visvader
Child Advocacy Clinic, ’05


“The Mediation Clinic has given me an understanding of the complexities of the judicial system that is difficult to appreciate in a classroom alone. It gave me "real-life" experience in a medium-sized law firm setting mediating actual disputes [while] putting to practice what I [had] learned in class. I got a lot of feedback throughout my participation in the Clinic and a leg-up on developing critical skills that I will need to be a successful attorney.”

Lee Ting
Mediation Clinic, Fall '06


“Working as an investment professional for three years after college made me realize two important aspects of embarking on a career path. First, you learn about your profession in school and you learn how to be a professional at work. Second, nothing is valued more than experience. At the Securities Arbitration Clinic I was able to gain professional experience in counseling clients, researching practical issues, drafting pleadings, managing a caseload and oral advocacy while subject to all of the ethical and procedural aspects of lawyering.The diversity of the clients seeking counsel from the clinic shows how vulnerable people are in this complicated arena despite their respective levels of sophistication. There has been nothing more inspiring for me than knowing that my legal education is having a profound impact peoples’ lives. I know the experience I have acquired at the Clinic will jump start my legal career.”

Ian Frimet
Securities Arbitration Clinic ‘06


"The Community and Economic Development Clinic gives students the opportunity to help build and support sustainable community institutions. It allows students to see the consequences of a lawyer's work in the rich context of the community, and it raises questions about what the community's needs are, what the lawyer's role is, and whose interests are being represented. The Clinic's structure blends creativity and doctrine through teamwork, client contact, and frequent meetings which promote the generation and analysis of varied solutions. I consider the transactional experience I've gained in this environment to be invaluable, and I strongly recommend it for all students interested in community development."

David Hoeppner
Community & Economic Development Clinic, ‘09