About the Clinic

The ARC Justice Clinic provides legal support to community members in the Philadelphia region organizing to demand redress for racial subordination in areas including education, ending over-policing and mass incarceration, economic justice, and health justice. Students will represent clients in litigation at the trial and appellate level under the direct supervision of Professor McClellan. Students will also learn to work with partners to develop an integrated advocacy strategy that incorporates organizing, policy advocacy, strategic impact litigation, and communications.

In addition to fieldwork, the clinic includes a bi-weekly seminar that covers the substantive law at issue in their casework, foundational litigation skills, theory of movement lawyering, and ethical considerations important to social justice advocacy. Students have the opportunity to read about and reflect on historical and contemporary strategies for achieving racial justice. Students will also participate in case rounds, simulations, and other legal practice skills trainings.

If you are interested in learning more, please email caralm@law.upenn.edu.

Our Work

Survey on The Abandoned and Blighted Property Act (Act 135)

Racial Impact Statements

More of Our Work

Professor Dorothy Roberts with the Spring 2023 ARC Justice Clinic at the Clinic's launch event, "The Unfinished Work of Abolition."

Apply for the ARC Justice Clinic’s Services

To apply for assistance from the ARC Justice Clinic, fill out this form. 

Examples of potential work include representing individuals who have experienced housing or employment discrimination, victims of police misconduct, and individuals who have experienced discriminatory school discipline.

The clinic has limited resources, and we can only accept a small number of the many requests for assistance that we receive. We also cannot respond to every request. Therefore, if you have an urgent need or must meet a deadline, contact a private attorney, your local public defender, or your state’s bar association. Do not wait for a response from the clinic.

The clinic operates year-round but only accepts new cases during the academic year. 

In the News

Official Launch Event: The Unfinished Work of Abolition

The ARC Justice Clinic will prepare students to become civil rights advocates

View Fall 2022 ARC Justice Clinic Information Session (Students Only)

ARC Justice Clinic Founding Director Cara McClellan quoted about affirmative action cases before the U.S. Supreme Court in The Philadelphia Inquirer

Clinic Faculty