Center for Legal and Social Justice

The Center for Legal and Social Justice (CLSJ) is a former retreat house of the Marianist Sisters, located less than one mile from the main campus. In 1996, it became part of St. Mary’s University and now houses the St. Mary’s Clinical Program, the Pro Bono Program, and the Externship Program.

Center for Legal and Social Justice
2507 NW 36th St.
San Antonio, Texas 78228



Clinical Program

Students enrolled in Clinical Program courses can earn academic credit while they gain real-world lawyering skills by acting as the attorney of record for income-qualified clients. Second and third-year law students participate in the Clinical Program by applying for one of six for-credit courses: Consumer Protection Clinic, Criminal Justice Clinic, Family Law Clinic, the Immigration & Human Rights Clinic, Microenterprise & Community Development Clinic, and Real Estate Clinic.



Pro Bono Program

Law students may also volunteer their time through Pro Bono Program opportunities assisting disadvantaged individuals with legal issues. Students may perform important legal work and gain a better understanding of the legal processes while helping those in need through opportunities, such as those with the ID Recovery Project at Haven for Hope and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Students who meet certain criteria may be awarded a Pro Bono and Public Service Certificate during their graduation ceremony.


Externship Program

The Externship Program allows law students to earn credit while working at a nonprofit, government agency or in-house counsel office. Second- and third-year law students can earn academic credit for practical work experience and deepen their understanding of knowledge gained in the classroom and its connection to work experiences.


Media Recognition

The Pillar is the Center for Legal and Social Justice’s annual publication. Read about our students’ experiences in the clinics and hear from our faculty about latest developments at the CLSJ.

The work of clinical law professors and fellows has been featured in many media outlets — including the New York Times. Read the opinion piece, The Rent Eats First, Even During a Pandemic, below about the work faculty are doing to assist those facing eviction.

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