A new class of more than 200 AUWCL student attorneys took the oath this week, marking their official entry into the Washington College of Law's nationally recognized Clinical Program — one of the largest and longest-running programs of its kind in the country.

The Honorable Moxila A. Upadhyaya ’03, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Columbia and an AUWCL alumna who once trained in the Clinical Program herself, returned to campus to administer the oath. Her return added a full-circle moment to the ceremony, reminding the incoming student attorneys that the commitment they were making has carried generations of AUWCL graduates into distinguished careers in public service and the law.

Students, faculty, and guests gathered for the ceremony, which marked an important step for the new student attorneys as they prepare to work with clients, apply what they've learned in the classroom, and take on real legal matters. For many, the swearing-in is the moment law school stops being theoretical: as certified student attorneys under D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 48, they are now authorized to appear in court, negotiate on behalf of clients, and manage cases from intake to resolution, under the close supervision of clinical faculty.

With the oath comes a commitment to professionalism, service, and the responsibility of representing clients with care and integrity. AUWCL's Clinical Program serves a diverse clientele, including immigrants and refugees; survivors of domestic violence; individuals who are incarcerated or reentering society; low-income taxpayers; small businesses and nonprofits; and people seeking help with family law, consumer, disability rights, and intellectual property matters.

This year's student attorneys will train and practice across AUWCL's eleven in-house clinics:

Elliott S. Milstein Civil Advocacy Clinic

Student attorneys support low-income clients seeking access to justice, with a focus on representing survivors of intimate partner violence and other D.C. residents who are disproportionately affected by systemic barriers.

Community Economic and Equity Development Clinic

Student attorneys assist small businesses, workers' cooperatives, housing cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations across the District of Columbia and Maryland.

Criminal Justice Clinic

Offers both prosecution and defense sections, teaching student attorneys the theory and practice of advocacy in the criminal legal system through experiential case work.

Decarceration and Re-Entry Clinic

Serves individuals who are currently incarcerated and are seeking to re-enter society.

Disability Rights Law Clinic

A one-semester clinic in which student attorneys represent clients in a variety of matters related to disability civil rights law.

Entrepreneurship Law Clinic

Provides an immersive experience in general transactional practice, with an emphasis on serving social enterprises, early-stage entrepreneurs, and small businesses in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

Gender Justice Clinic

Student attorneys represent clients in a wide range of matters, including family law, immigration, public benefits, domestic violence, housing, and wills, advance directives, and probate.

Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic

A full-year clinic in which student attorneys handle patent, trademark, and copyright matters for clients under the supervision of clinical faculty.

Immigrant Justice Clinic

Provides representation on a broad range of cases and projects involving individual immigrants and migrants and their communities, both in the D.C. metropolitan area and overseas.

International Human Rights Law Clinic

Offers student attorneys the opportunity to represent non-U.S. citizens and organizations defending human rights in a broad range of settings, including regional and international bodies.

Janet R. Spragens Federal Income Tax Clinic

Student attorneys represent low-income individuals who are being audited by, or are in disputes with, the Internal Revenue Service.

Congratulations to our newest student attorneys! Watch the moment they took the oath and see more photos from the ceremony here.