Workers' Rights Clinic

About the Clinic

The Workers’ Rights Clinic encompasses students from their first to third year of legal education. It is the only clinic at the University of Michigan Law School—and among the only law clinics in the country—offering first-year law students the opportunity to handle cases.

Our students—including 1Ls—receive course credit to litigate actual unemployment insurance cases under the supervision of experienced attorneys. We provide not only a practical experience for students to develop real-world advocacy skills, but also an opportunity for them to engage their community in significant ways. 

First-year students handle cases before administrative law judges. Our upper-level students handle complex cases at the administrative, trial, and appellate levels, further developing and honing their legal skills.

The WRC offers its clients an array of legal representation ranging from basic legal advice to client counseling, trial and appellate advocacy, and complex brief writing. Students first-chair a mix of cases from the administrative tribunal level all the way through the Michigan Court of Appeals. Each student is responsible for a docket of cases ranging in complexity and procedural posture.

Since its inception in 2010, the WRC has equipped more than 700 students with the skills necessary for promising legal careers. The WRC is passionate about educating future lawyers while advocating on behalf of Michigan workers and looks forward to continuing this meaningful work for years to come.

We Are Not Accepting New Clients at This Time

The Clinic has reached its maximum case capacity and is not currently accepting new clients. Please check below for our referral list of other lawyers that provide representation to UI claimants.

For current Workers' Rights Clinic clients and courts, our contact information is:

Phone: 734.936.2000
Fax: 734.647.4042
Email: law-uic-info@umich.edu

Mailing Address:
701 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091