Clinic Perspective: Allison Stillinghagan '23

What did you enjoy about your clinic experience?
Gaining practical and substantive experience and learning how to be a lawyer, beyond just learning the law. Being a student attorney in the clinical program showed me that I can actually do this and that I enjoy this work.

Was there a particularly memorable moment from your clinic experience that you'd like to share?
So far, my most memorable moment has been when I became involved in a criminal defense case for a juvenile lifer who is filing for a modification of sentence under the JRA. Becoming involved in this case changed my entire view on lawyering and showed me that I have a real passion for post-conviction defense. I have since been able to continue working on post-conviction cases, both in clinic and in other ways, and am currently applying for post-grad jobs in this field. Before clinic, I didn't really know what I wanted to do and didn't even know if I wanted to be a litigation attorney, but my experiences as a student attorney have taught me so much about myself as a lawyer and shown me so many possibilities for my career.

What was your greatest takeaway from your clinic experience?
Being a good lawyer is so much more than just knowing the law. Litigation-focused lawyers need to have strong interpersonal skills, empathy, counseling skills, listening skills, and are adaptive and can think on their feet.

How has your clinic experience benefitted you in your career and approach to lawyering?
I have been able to hone my career plans/goals based on my clinic experiences. My clinic experience has also been a great talking point in job interviews and sets me apart from other law students.