Criminal Litigation Field Clinic
Sections:
Step Into Court, Speak Up for Your Clients and Grow as a Defender
The Criminal Litigation Clinic gives Drexel Kline Law students the chance to take on real cases and advocate in court. From arguing motions to cross-examining witnesses, students work as public defenders, representing people facing serious charges in Philadelphia courts. The cases are high-stakes; the learning curve is fast—and the experience stays with you.
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Start Defending Clients as a 3L
The clinic runs yearlong and is open to 3L students (or accelerated students entering their final year of law school) who have taken or are enrolled in Evidence, Professional Responsibility, and Criminal Procedure. Through a partnership with the Defender Association of Philadelphia, you can gain real-world experience in criminal defense from day one.
In the fall, students handle a minimum of 10 felony preliminary hearing cases, appearing in court about 10 times during the semester. You can represent at least one client in every appearance—and often manage multiple cases in a single week. In the spring, you can take on 10 misdemeanor bench trials, typically handling one case per week across 10 trial lists.
This structure gives you hands-on exposure to the pace and pressure of criminal defense, helping you build judgment, confidence and adaptability through real courtroom experience.
This is each student’s opportunity to do real work. They’re not shadowing, they’re standing up in court, advocating and learning how it actually feels to hold that responsibility.
Dan Borgia, clinic director
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Handle Meaningful Casework and Grow into the Role of Advocate
In the Criminal Litigation Clinic, you can:
- Represent people at hearings and trials
- Interview individuals in jail, on the phone or in person
- Negotiate with prosecutors and explore alternatives to trial
- Write motions, make objections and deliver arguments in court
- Review body camera footage and other discovery
- Meet weekly to prep, debrief and build your skills as a group
Working closely with public defenders, you can sharpen your trial strategies, strengthen your courtroom advocacy and directly influence the outcome of real cases. You’ll be supported, but you can also take the lead. Taking responsibility in real cases is what helps you grow into the role of an advocate.
The Criminal Litigation Clinic puts students in the driver’s seat in criminal defense. They take on active cases, argue in court and make decisions that help shape people’s lives.
Richard Frankel, Associate Dean of Experiential Learning Programs
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Stand by Clients Through Difficult Moments
Many of the people you can represent are facing legal challenges while also navigating issues like housing instability, health care access or the stress of incarceration. You can help them feel informed, supported and heard.
Whether it’s explaining the next steps or working through a legal strategy together, you’ll be part of the team helping them move forward.
The clinic showed me that good lawyering isn’t just about arguing, it’s about listening, explaining and helping someone through a system that often moves too fast for them to keep up.
Delia Morales, JD ’25
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Build Confidence and Courtroom Skills
You can gain skills to take into many legal settings:
- Speaking in front of a judge
- Questioning witnesses
- Preparing and delivering arguments
- Communicating clearly and respectfully with the people you represent
- Thinking on your feet under pressure
This isn’t a simulation. It’s real legal work that shapes how you carry yourself as a lawyer.
This was the first time I felt like a lawyer, not just a law student. I learned how to prepare, speak in court and take responsibility for someone else’s case.
Mike Santos, JD ’25
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Support When You Need It, Independence When You Don’t
In the clinic, you’ll work closely with Dan Borgia, a practicing public defender who supervises every case and guides you through prep, court and everything in between. He offers support when you need it and gives you space to lead when you’re ready, helping you learn from every challenge, mistake and moment of progress along the way.
- One-on-one case check-ins
- Coaching before and after court
- Encouragement to try, reflect and grow
- Structure, not micromanagement
I want students to feel what it’s like to make a choice in the moment. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, I’m there, and we figure it out together.
Dan Borgia, clinic director
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Why It Matters
The Criminal Litigation Clinic can help shape how you see the law and yourself. You can learn what it means to stand with someone as they navigate the legal system, and how to use your training to advocate effectively within it.
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