Public Defender Field Clinic
The Public Defender Field Clinic, directed by Adjunct Professor Aaron Kelley, places students with the Office of the Public Defender in Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit, where they represent indigent clients charged with criminal offenses under attorney supervision. Through intensive fieldwork, students build core advocacy skills—direct client counseling, discovery review and case analysis, case investigation, motion practice, negotiation, and trial practice—while developing intercultural competencies for holistic, client-centered lawyering.
Director
Student Experience
“During my clinic, I learned what it took to be a successful lawyer. Whether that be through doing research, speaking to clients in the office or at the jail, conducting plea petitions or full-blown trials, I got to experience it all. After this clinic, and after all the lessons I have learned, I now feel like I can enter my career with complete confidence.”
– Kaisha Robert (JD 25)
“Being part of the Public Defender Field Clinic was a unique opportunity to engage with the real-world application of the law. Throughout the semester, I learned from attorneys with substantial practical experience and participated in meaningful advocacy on behalf of clients. The clinic also provides direct client interaction, offering valuable insight into the human dynamics of legal practice.”
– Jacob Schwahn (JD 27)
“Even though I expect to practice civil law, I wanted to experience the criminal justice system. Through the Public Defender Field Clinic, I gained meaningful exposure to criminal litigation by observing courtroom proceedings, drafting legal memoranda, and analyzing discovery, including police body-camera footage. The clinic strengthened my understanding of criminal procedure and the realities of defense work and was an excellent experience.”
– Andrew Lewis (JD 26)