Clinic Spotlight: On the Record

At Touro Law, clinics are a cornerstone of the educational journey, offering students the unique opportunity to handle real cases and tackle real-world legal challenges under the guidance of expert attorney-professors. These programs provide invaluable first-hand experience, allowing students to sharpen essential professional skills—such as interviewing, evidence development, and legal drafting—long before they graduate. By working under close faculty supervision to advise clients and appear in court, our students gain a competitive edge that prepares them to excel in the legal job market.

PHOTO CAPTION: Touro Law’s Criminal Prosecution clinic students with the Hon. Dora Irizarry, United States District Court Judge of the US for the Eastern District of New York (CENTER) and Chief US Probation Officer for the EDNY Robert Capers (far left) along with Adjunct Professor Michael Boykin (far right).

Real-World Courtroom Experience

Touro Law’s Criminal Prosecution Clinic students are currently immersed in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, working under the mentorship of Adjunct Professor Michael Boykin. This semester, students have stepped out of the classroom and onto the record in open court, handling a variety of high-stakes responsibilities:

• Arraignments & Arguments: Students have arraigned live cases against experienced defense attorneys, made bail arguments, and argued for orders of protection.
• Case Management: They have participated in plea negotiations and case conferences, as well as provided official status updates in various calendar parts.
• Specialized Justice: Participants also appeared in treatment courts, including the Misdemeanor Brooklyn Treatment Court (MBTC) and Veterans Court, focusing on rehabilitation and alternatives to incarceration.
• Litigation Support: Behind the scenes, students maintain active caseloads by conducting witness interviews, drafting legal notices, and preparing discovery for trial.

Beyond the Courtroom: Unique Perspectives
The clinic experience extends beyond daily litigation to include exclusive professional development opportunities:

• Federal Insight: Students recently toured the Eastern District Courthouse, engaging in a roundtable with Chief U.S. Probation Officer Robert Capers and a private session with Senior Judge Dora Irizarry, who shared career wisdom and distributed pocket Constitutions.
• Community Engagement: The group attended a "Women Weaving Justice" program at the Brooklyn Public Library, exploring the intersection of environmental law, corporate responsibility, and criminal justice alongside Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

A Word from Adjunct Professor Michael Boykin

"I am incredibly proud of how these students have stepped up; they each faced those initial courtroom nerves, conquered them, and have been nothing short of impressive on the record. By handling live cases and navigating complex discussions on rehabilitation and sustainability, they are gaining the kind of hands-on experience that truly makes a difference in the justice system while giving them a major edge in the job market."