Clinic Students Take the Oath, Embark on New Roles as Student Advocates

A new tradition began at Brooklyn Law School on Aug. 28, when students enrolled in the school’s in-house clinics gathered for a formal swearing-in ceremony celebrating their role as advocates. The ceremony, administered by New York State Supreme Court Judge Laura Paley, was part of the first program-wide orientation for in-house clinics and included welcoming remarks from Dean David Meyer. 

Students who participate in these programs are authorized to engage in legal practice through their clinics under the close supervision of clinical faculty, giving them an opportunity to represent clients and develop their skills while still in law school. 

The ceremony was part of a daylong orientation, which began with Professor Susan Hazeldean, Associate Dean of Experiential Education and Director of the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic, welcoming a packed classroom of students to informational sessions on ethics and professionalism, legal research, legal technology, and more. She then introduced President and Joseph Crea Dean David D. Meyer, who explained how historically important the practical training that clinics provide has been to the Law School’s identity and the importance of what lies ahead for clinic students. 

"This is a very significant occasion in your journey as lawyers, and I’m honored to be a part of it with you," Meyer said. "There are two signature features and qualities of Brooklyn Law School that everyone affiliated with our school is extremely proud of. One is our pioneering leadership in experiential and clinical education. Going back to the dawn of clinical education, Brooklyn Law School was out front and remains there. The second signature quality is our commitment to the public good and to service, which is something that goes back to the founding and the DNA of this school." 

An Oath of Professionalism, and Some Tips 

The dean introduced Hon. Laura Paley, a Kings County Family Court judge, who reminded students of the importance of the duties before them as clinical students, who will work on cases alongside supervising attorneys.  

"For many of your clients, you will be the only legal advocate that they will ever have: the person standing beside them in front of a system that they cannot navigate alone," she said. "What an awesome responsibility and what an honor to serve other people through some of the hardest moments of their lives."  

Before leading the students in reciting an oath of professionalism, Paley added. "An oath is not just a promise; it’s a serious commitment. You’ll be taking this oath because of the extraordinary responsibility you are taking on as an advocate in clinics this year." 

In addition, the judge offered some advice. "First, take the work seriously, even when it feels small. Returning a phone call, explaining a form in plain language instead of legal jargon, showing up on time," Paley said. Her second piece of advice was to ask for help. 

"The instinct to prove yourself and look like you already know what you’re doing is strong and understandable. Resist it," Paley said. "Every good lawyer I know builds good judgment by asking questions early and often, not by pretending that they didn’t have any questions. Good lawyers and good judges do this their entire career."  

Thirdly, she reminded students to "stay curious about the people in front of you – not just their legal problems. Seeing the whole person will help you understand why the outcome matters so much to them."  

A Day for Learning and Fun 

The swearing-in was followed by faculty-led sessions on ethics and professionalism, client-centered interviewing, legal research and how to use Clio. Lunch and a scavenger hunt capped off the orientation. 

Among the students attending the orientation was Madison Colleran '28, who enrolled in the Safe Harbor Clinic, which focuses on immigration law. "What I'm looking to get out of the clinic is experience working with clients, especially those who are dealing with asylum or different immigration proceedings as they try to obtain citizenship in the United States," Colleran said. "I'm excited to work with other students and be able to learn alongside experts in the field and develop the skills that we're learning in the classroom in an actual work setting."  

Although the orientation was an optional introduction attended by in-house clinic students who are taught by full-time faculty, the clinical program is much broader, encompassing in-house clinics, hybrid clinics, and externships. The active-house clinics for the Fall 2026 semester include the Brooklyn Law Incubator & Policy (BLIP); Criminal Defense & Advocacy; Disability and Civil Rights; LGBTQ+ Advocacy; Safe Harbor Project; and Sports Law clinic, which together have enrolled 73 students and 14 advanced students.  

An additional 85 students have enrolled in hybrid clinics, through which the Law School partners with outside agencies and which are overseen by adjunct faculty members who are employed by the partner agency. This semester, hybrid externship offerings include the BLS/EXI Innocence Project; Criminal Defense, Legal Aid Society; Family Defense, Brooklyn Defender Services; Federal Civil Litigation: U.S. Attorney’s Office EDNY;  New York Civil Court Consumer Law, Prosecutor's Brooklyn District Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office EDNY; and the Trauma, Injustice and Veteran’s Rights clinics. Also, part of the clinics program are externships, offered in areas including civil practice, health law, sports law, criminal practice, and judicial clerkships. Approximately 145 students have enrolled in externships so far for the Fall 2026 semester program, which includes fieldwork and academic seminars that augment the learning experience.