Certified Legal Interns and First Amendment Clinic faculty after a multi-day bench trial in federal district court. Pictured left to right: Certified Legal Intern Nathan Venesky (LAW ‘22), Senior Fellow Sara Coulter, Certified Legal Intern Makela Hayford (LAW ‘22), Certified Legal Intern Ginger Pinkerton (LAW ‘22), Director Andy Geronimo.
Designed for third-year law students, the First Amendment Clinic is an experiential offering within the Kramer Law Clinic at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Established in 2020, the clinic focuses on litigation involving freedom of speech, press, assembly and petition; and offers pro bono legal services to those who rely on the First Amendment to collect and publish information, freely criticize government policy and officials, and express differing viewpoints on matters of public concern. The First Amendment Clinic proudly protects its clients’ free expression and free speech rights.
The clinic offers its students, who are Certified Legal Interns within the State of Ohio, the unique opportunity to take the lead in client interactions, negotiate with opposing counsel, and speak up in court—all under the supervision of licensed attorneys. The clinic gives Certified Legal Interns the opportunity to gain practical lawyering skills and gives them first-hand insight into life as a civil litigator. Its goal is to train a new generation of free speech advocates, and serve as a resource for organizations, students, journalists and citizens defending and advancing First Amendment issues.
The clinic is supported by a grant from The Stanton Foundation. The Stanton Foundation was established by former television broadcasting executive Frank Stanton, a longtime president of CBS, creator of the Kennedy-Nixon debate and a staunch defender of the First Amendment. Protecting the First Amendment is a core mission of the foundation.