Beth Lyon, Clinical Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Experiential Education, Clinical Program Director, and Director of the Farmworker Legal Assistance Clinic

Turbulent times in higher education and government ensured a hardworking summer and fall in the Clinical Program. Students and faculty from across the law school collaborated to respond to unlawful detentions and deportations, and to support protestors. As many of us return from Thanksgiving with our loved ones, Gender Justice client Maribel Lopez has been successfully returned to the United States but remains in detention and separated from her family.  As our students uncover stories of inhumane detention conditions, we are all inspired by our clients’ courage and the teamwork that defines Cornell Law’s clinical community. 

Meanwhile, I’m sorry to share that the imminent loss of funding threatens to cost the community dedicated work from several of our practicum courses. Two years of support from the Veterans Administration allowed us to launch the award-winning Veterans Law Practicum (VLP). As we continue to seek funding that will allow this important program to continue past May 2026, we are proud that since fall 2023, the VLP has served over 140 veterans through the efforts of fifty law students and 15 undergraduate volunteers. University cuts are also disrupting our New York State Attorney General, Federal Indian Law, and Advocacy for LGBT Practicum courses. 

Amidst austerity and attacks on the communities our clinics serve, it’s good to pause and celebrate the excellent work and anniversaries of the 1L Immigration Law and Policy Clinic and Path2Papers project, the Movement Lawyering Clinic and the Tenants Advocacy Practicum. It’s also exciting to see the First Amendment Clinic taking an important step with the launch of a funding campaign for the Mark Jackson Directorship. 

You will read about these and other developments in our fall newsletter, and as always, please do stop in and see us if you find yourself here “high above Cayuga’s waters.” 

Walk gently,

Beth