Represent real clients in family law, small business, nonprofit, and other civil matters under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys.
Law Clinics and Externship Program
Put your legal education into action. At ONU Law, you’ll gain transformative, hands-on experience through our expanding law clinics and externship program—working with real clients, tackling real legal challenges and learning from experienced attorneys and mentors. It’s practical training that builds confidence, sharpens your skills and prepares you to practice law from day one.
Bringing free legal help and hands-on student experience to more of rural Northwest Ohio.
Real-world experience with judges, government offices, and public interest organizations across Northwest Ohio and beyond.
Need Legal Assistance? The ONU Legal Clinic may be able to help
The ONU Legal Clinic provides free legal help to eligible community members. ONU Law students provide the legal services under the supervision of licensed attorneys.Coming soon, our new Rural Practice Clinic will expand our services to more income-eligible residents in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Putnam and Van Wert counties.
If you would like to apply for legal help, please complete our online application below. If you have questions about the application process, call the Clinic at 419.227.0061 and select “1” for intake applications.
The Clinic is open by appointment only, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Availability
Availability means every student has the opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience. This is a guarantee, not a competitive selection process.
Learn By Doing
Every year, our law students log hundreds of hours meeting with clients, making oral arguments in courtrooms, writing legal briefs, attending court hearings and trials, and more. On average, our clinic and externship students log:
- 5,000 Hours providing pro bono legal services
- 1,100 Hours in courtrooms, making oral arguments or conducting trials
- 500 Hours with clients
- 2,000 Hours working on client cases for the ONU Legal Clinic
“The Legal Clinic provided me with the opportunity to develop my counseling, writing and advocacy skills in a practical, real-world setting under the guidance of experienced faculty members who genuinely care about my success as a future attorney."Dalton Stewart, JD '24
Frequently Asked Questions
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ONU Law's Clinics and Externship Program gives students opportunities to apply classroom learning in real legal settings before graduation. Through legal clinics, students represent real clients under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys. Through externships, students gain experience working with judges, government agencies, law firms, and public interest organizations. These experiences help students develop practical legal skills, professional confidence, and meaningful connections in the legal community.
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Students in the ONU Legal Clinic work on a variety of civil legal matters, including:
- Family law and domestic relations.
- Small business formation and compliance.
- Nonprofit organization matters.
- Real estate issues.
- Estate planning and probate.
- Other civil legal matters.
Under attorney supervision, students may interview clients, conduct legal research, draft legal documents, participate in negotiations, and appear in court. This experience helps students understand the responsibilities of representing real clients.
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The Rural Practice Clinic expands access to legal services for income-eligible residents in rural Northwest Ohio. Through this initiative, ONU Law students gain practical experience helping individuals and families navigate everyday legal challenges, including family law, housing, and small business matters.
The clinic serves residents in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Putnam, and Van Wert counties. Students work alongside experienced supervising attorneys and newly licensed Attorney Fellows, gaining valuable mentorship while helping address the shortage of legal services in rural communities.
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ONU Law offers flexible externship opportunities that allow students to explore different areas of legal practice and professional interests. Students can gain experience with:
- State and federal judges.
- Government agencies.
- Public interest organizations.
- Legal aid organizations.
- Private attorneys and law firms.
Rather than limiting students to a fixed list of placements, ONU Law works individually with students to identify and develop opportunities that align with their career goals.
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Yes! ONU Law guarantees 100% placement in clinics and externships, meaning every student has an opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience. Students participate in activities such as client interviews, legal research, courtroom appearances, oral arguments, negotiations, and legal writing.
On average, ONU Law clinic and externship students contribute approximately:
- 5,000 hours of pro bono legal services.
- 1,100 hours in courtrooms.
- 500 hours working directly with clients.
- 2,000 hours working on ONU Legal Clinic cases.
These experiences help students build the practical skills employers value.
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Students receive personalized guidance throughout their clinical and externship experiences. Faculty and program directors work one-on-one with students to identify placements that match their interests and professional goals.
Once placed, students develop close working relationships with experienced attorneys, judges, and mentors who provide guidance and feedback. This student-centered approach helps future attorneys strengthen their legal knowledge, professional judgment, communication, and advocacy skills.
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Yes! The ONU Legal Clinic provides free legal services to eligible community members who may otherwise have difficulty accessing legal representation. Services are provided by ONU Law students under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys.
The clinic is located in Lima, Ohio, and operates by appointment Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Individuals interested in receiving assistance can complete the online application or call 419-227-0061 and select option 1 for intake applications.
Eligibility and available services depend on the nature of the legal matter and the clinic's capacity.