Legal clinics and support
At University of Idaho’s College of Law, you’ll have numerous opportunities to apply classroom theory to real-life legal situations. Our clinical program gives you the chance to work on actual cases, help real clients and gain valuable experience before graduation, providing outstanding practical training for your career.
In this program, you’ll build the skills and confidence you need for your legal career while offering high-quality legal services to underrepresented members of the community through our clinics. The opportunity to participate in the clinical programs starts in your 3L year under a limited license and under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
Available clinics
Community Law Clinic (Moscow)
Gain hands-on experience while providing legal services to the community. Represent clients in areas like misdemeanor defense, family law, consumer protection and landlord-tenant disputes.
Entrepreneurship Law Clinic (Boise)
Gain practical legal experience by helping small businesses and startups. Assist for-profit and nonprofit clients in areas like business formation, contracts and compliance.
Family Justice Clinic (Boise)
In partnership with Faces of Hope, the Family Justice Clinic provides free legal services to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. You’ll manage every aspect of client representation — from gathering case details to determining legal needs and delivering support.
Immigration Litigation and Appellate Clinic (Moscow and Boise)
Advocate for immigrants seeking asylum, permanent residency, citizenship, protection under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and relief from removal. Represent clients in administrative courts and before the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Learn more about the Immigration Litigation and Appellate Clinic
Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (Moscow and Boise)
Assist low-income taxpayers and individuals with limited English proficiency in resolving tax disputes with the IRS. The clinic also offers education and outreach to help community members better understand their rights and responsibilities as taxpayers.
Tribal Law Clinic (Moscow)
Offering free legal services to Tribal Citizens, Tribal Governments, Tribal Agencies and Tribal-led nonprofits, this clinic helps you develop essential lawyering skills while engaging in community-centered and collaborative legal work.
Patent Pro Bono Program
Effective January 1, 2026, the patent pro bono program in Idaho will be administered by Mi Casa Resource Center. The patent pro bono program helps place qualified Idaho inventors seeking advice about the patent process with volunteer attorneys eligible to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Connect with the Patent Pro Bono Program
If you are an Idaho inventor, you can receive more information about the program and apply for services at Mi Casa's website. If you previously applied for services but have not yet been placed with an attorney, you will need to reapply through Mi Casa's website.
If you are an Idaho attorney who wishes to volunteer with the patent pro bono program, more information and a volunteer interest form are on Mi Casa's website under the "For Attorneys" section.
For questions or concerns about this transition, please contact the following individuals.
Jessica Long
Associate Professor of Law
208-885-6541
jessicalong@uidaho.edu
Nick Smith
Director of the Entrepreneurship Law Clinic and Assistant Professor of Law
208-885-6541
nasmith@uidaho.edu
About the Patent Pro Bono Program
The national Patent Pro Bono Program was authorized under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), which encouraged the USPTO to "work with and support intellectual property law associations across the country in the establishment of pro bono programs designed to assist financially under-resourced independent Inventors and small businesses."