Law Professors from Overseas Visit UC Law SF to Learn About its Clinical Programs

Faculty members from law schools in Ghana and Kosovo visited UC Law San Francisco in January to learn more about its educational programs.

Faculty visitors from foreign law schools recently flew across oceans to visit the campus of UC Law San Francisco to learn more about its robust clinical education programs.

Law professors from Ghana and Kosovo spent a full week in late January touring the campus, meeting UC Law SF faculty members, and observing clinics in which students gain hands-on experience providing legal assistance to seniors, immigrants, and others.

Professor Muhamet Vokrri of the University of Pristina in Kosovo spoke to UC Law SF faculty members during a recent visit.

Professor Muhamet Vokrri of Kosovo said he and his colleagues wanted to get a firsthand look at different experiential learning programs offered at UC Law SF. Vokrri is vice dean for legal clinics and labor market at University of Pristina. He said his school plans to launch a new Law Clinic Center in Fall 2023, which will allow students to work on real cases while representing vulnerable individuals who can’t afford lawyers.

“That’s why we’re here to see this model,” Vokrii said. “These clinics are some of the best.”

UC Law SF has more than 20 clinical and externship programs that give law students hands-on experience, often letting them work with real clients on active cases under the supervision of licensed attorneys.

Professors Avni Puka of Kosovo and Francisca Kusi-Appiah of Ghana toured the UC Law SF library.

Dr. Francisca Kusi-Appiah of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, in Ghana, said she was eager to learn how different clinics are set up at UC Law SF. She said she received valuable advice, including on why it’s important to pick cases that can be resolved within one semester.

“We’ve been planning to set up a law clinic for a while,” Kusi-Appiah said. “This is a good opportunity to get recommendations and learn about the challenges and how they resolve those challenges.”

Jessica Vapnek, faculty director of the International Development Law Center, secured grants to fund programs with foreign law schools.

The visits were made possible thanks to U.S. government grants secured by Jessica Vapnek, faculty director of the International Development Law Center at UC Law San Francisco. “These grants will allow us to support the University of Pristina in Kosovo and the Law School of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, in Ghana as they develop more clinical opportunities and shift toward a more analytical skills-based curriculum,” Vapnek said.

The recent visit was just one component of the two multiyear projects, which will include several visits to Kosovo and Ghana by UC Law SF faculty members over the next year. During these visits, UC Law SF faculty members and affiliated experts will review curriculum, share knowledge, and train educators on how to implement new types of coursework and programs.

Gail Silverstein is associate dean of Experiential Learning and co-director of the Center for Social Justice at UC Law SF.

“These grants are wonderful opportunities to exchange knowledge and practical strategies with foreign law schools about clinical and other experiential education,” said Gail Silverstein, associate dean of Experiential Learning, clinical professor of law, and faculty co-director of the Center for Social Justice at UC Law SF. “Because clinical education has a social justice mission, these grants provide greater understanding of cross-national social justice concerns, thereby creating necessary solidarity.”