Information for Students

• Tips on Finding a Placement
• Past Legislative Placements
• Sample Student Accomplishments
• Informational Videos

At a Glance

Legislative Clinic:	One semester course offered only in the Spring semester
# of Credits:	7 credits (may drop one credit in exchange for satisfying 35 hours of student’s pro bono requirement).
Pre-requisites:	None
Registration Information:	Open to JD 3L students and 2nd semester 2L students.

Tips on Finding a Placement

Each student in the Legislative Clinic is required to fulfill a legislative placement that involves an unpaid internship with an elected member of Congress, a legislative committee (Senate or House), a state or local equivalent, or a non-profit advocacy organization pursuing legislative change.

Important Notes for Enrolling in the Legislative Clinic:

• Please notify Prof. Rulli if you receive a placement offer.
• Prof. Rulli must approve your placement site.
• You must bid on the Legislative Clinic during Advance Registration.

Read advice from faculty and past students about selecting a legislative placement.

Past Legislative Placements

Click any category to see placements, and click any placement to see the years students worked there. Or, download the full spreadsheet.

 

Search FAQs

Sample Student Accomplishments

• Students assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee conducted extensive research on potential Supreme Court nominees, including then-Solicitor General Elena Kagan.
• A student assigned to the staff of a ranking California Congresswoman worked with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft legislation governing recount and canvassing guidelines and timing.
• A student drafted a floor statement that appeared in the Congressional record and conducted research on policy and legal issues to prepare questions for a Congresswoman to ask of witnesses at upcoming committee hearings.
• A student was assigned the task of writing a public letter to President Barack Obama on behalf of New York City’s congressional delegation protesting cuts in Community Service Block Grants that were proposed in the President’s budget. The student conducted research and drafted the letter, which to his surprise became the final version without any changes. Of New York’s congressional delegation, every office, except one, signed onto the letter and it was sent to the President.

Informational Videos (PennKey Protected)

Clinic Director Lou Rulli gives an overview of the Legislative Clinic (Fall 2023)

Clinic alum Sabrina Merold L’20 on the Legislative Clinic experience

Clinic alumni Yusef and Jordan discuss their experiences (Fall 2022)