Study

This clinic develops counseling, litigation, and advocacy skills through direct representation of clients and policy advocacy. Our clients include journalists, individuals, and organizations of diverse points of view whose free speech rights have been abridged. Representative matters include: defamation defense; prepublication review of news articles, podcasts, and blogs; access to public records and meetings; social media blocking; and specialized appellate representation and amicus support. The clinic also provides commentary and legal analysis on pending or enacted legislation that implicates First Amendment freedoms. Students are directly supervised by the Clinic Director, the Supervising Attorney, and the Local Journalism Fellow. All enrolled students will be required to bill at least 100 hours a semester on client matters or other professional activities, as well as to participate in the weekly seminar and supervision meetings.

Enrollment Policy 

Students are required to attend the clinic intensive training session (check the Academic Calendar for the date). Students may not drop the clinic after the first meeting.

Fall 2026

Course Number	Course Credits	Evaluation Method	Instructor
435.01	4	Live-client representation and case management	Sarah H. Ludington, Amanda Martin
Canvas site: https://canvas.duke.edu/courses/86533