University of Montana School of Law - Curriculum UM is one of a small number of law schools where all students participate in a clinic before graduating. This requirement reinforces our goal of preparing graduates for the practice of law. You apply the skills and knowledge from your first two years of law school to a practice setting where you will be challenged to identify and resolve ethical and professionalism issues like those you will face in practice. The clinical program engages students in applying, enhancing, and integrating substantive and skills components of legal education, improves their ability to identify and resolve ethical and professionalism issues, and assesses student performance and the law school's competency-based curriculum.
Most students enroll in their first or second choice of clinic.
Child Support Enforcement Division Criminal Defense Clinic - Represent indigent defendants in misdemeanor cases in local courts. Disability Law Clinic - Represent disabled people who are clients of the Montana Advocacy Program. Federal Defenders of Montana Indian Law Clinic - Assist tribal governments, courts, organizations, and attorneys on Indian law issues. Judicial Clinic - Work with U.S. District Court Judge or Magistrate on cases pending in federal court in Missoula. Land Use Clinic - Work with city, town and county attorneys, local planning personnel and citizen boards.