Liljenquist wouldn't have known that an alderman could hold such a patronizing view of constituents if he had not been working at the clinic. But that's the primary role of legal clinics operated by the law schools at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago and other universities. A first-year associate, however, is of little use to a law firm. The clinics, however, are changing the traditional legal education. The legal clinic's paradigm is based on the internship and residency programs of medical students.
Law is taught as a very abstract profession.
Block joined the legal clinic and made his first courtroom appearance in Cook County Juvenile Court. He said he had never known juvenile court existed, even though he was attending what many consider one of the best law schools in the country. By working in the Northwestern Legal Clinic, Block entered the world of practicing attorneys. They are also given the task of interviewing clients, an important responsibility that an associate would not expect to get without years of experience. It's really hard to know what questions to ask.