Graduate Student Courses

"Innovating Legal Services was a formative experience for me. The class was unique in that it allowed students to reach out into the community to develop a solution to a real problem. It was a refreshing way to learn about legal services and effective approaches to closing the access to justice gap."

“i4j has been one of the best experiences of my MBA career. I have learned so many great business skills in the context of legal social innovation, and have made great connections in the legal and business communities along the way. i4j has given me a huge advantage when applying for jobs, because of its unique and resume-building project work that has made me a better active listener, project manager, and design thinker.”

“[During] my first semester of grad school and having no legal background, I was intimidated to be in a law class, but… I've learned about things I didn't even know I was interested in, along with new ways of problem-solving that I am already applying to my role as a social-worker-in-the-making.“

“i4J has been the best part of my experience as an MLS student. I am grateful for the opportunity to be surrounded by a teaching team and peers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds who share a common goal and passion for justice. i4J has challenged the way I navigate making change and has kept me motivated to continue advocating for justice through public policy advocacy!”

“i4J is the most interesting class in law school, it gives me a feeling that justice is not far from us, justice is us. I really appreciate the thoughtful design of the class. The way of design thinking is not only useful to this project, it is useful to all projects we are going to design in the future.”

“i4J reminded me of why I came to law school: everyone shares the same passion for change, excitement for innovation, and relentless pursuit to do better.... The design- and systems-thinking framework that i4J utilizes is a method I will carry with me through practice because I’ve witnessed the progress that is possible through a thorough evaluation and understanding of a problem.”

“The approach of this course, the welcoming vibe of acceptance, a sharing platform for collaborative justice and a waking sense of purpose through law school are just a few everlasting imprints this transformative experience will have on my life.“

“i4J has been a highlight of my legal education... I've appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with my peers and members of the community to find ways to bridge the legal justice gap. I am constantly amazed by the creative ideas that emerge from our class discussions, which I think is due in part to the diverse perspectives that all of us bring to the table. It is truly inspiring to be surrounded by a group of people who believe in a more just world.”

“i4J has really taught me that the way forward is ... through getting at the heart of systems--the way they operate and how people maneuver through them--and integrating disciplines to create disruptive yet beneficial change. No matter what area of law I practice in … i4J has really given me the tools to not only create valuable, systematic solutions for all my stakeholders, but to do the same in my own personal life.”

“I have been able to expand my thinking to involve more stakeholders than just the clients... I have learned more about how to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, which will be incredibly useful when I leave graduate school to enter the workforce.”

“i4J has been such a joy to participate in this semester. I feel excited to come to class each day, and I love how the content makes me think differently about the classes and activities that I am participating in, and really how I see the world. The collaboration with experts and classmates has made a very unconnected world feel connected right now.”

“Innovation for Justice has transformed the way I think about the law… i4J begins with individuals and seeks to understand the law through their eyes… i4J teaches empathy and creative problem-solving skills to tackle complex problems. The i4J program gave me the tools and community necessary to envision and strive towards a more accessible legal system for all.”