Law school clinics avoid controversy

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that a survey of law school clinics found that the clinical faculty sometimes feel pressured to avoid taking on cases that might displease donors or lawmakers. The survey of 300 law clinic faculty was conducted by Bridget McCormack, an associate dean at the University of Michigan Law School, and found that nearly 10 percent reported having been urged by their law school's dean to avoid a particular case, and nearly 15 percent report having been urged by their clinic's director to avoid one. She reported her findings last week at the annual meeting of the American Association of University Professors.