Welcome to the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law (UDC Law). 

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The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law evolved from two predecessor schools: the Antioch School of Law and the District of Columbia School of Law. Founded in 1972 by Edgar S. and Jean Camper Cahn, the Antioch School of Law emerged as a notable advocate for the rights of marginalized populations, particularly individuals of low socioeconomic status and minority backgrounds. Moreover, the institution was steadfast in its commitment to training future lawyers with a strong inclination towards public interest work, pioneering a comprehensive clinical legal education model that has since been embraced, to varying degrees, by the majority of law schools across the nation.

In 1986, the Antioch University made a strategic decision to shutter numerous units around the country, including the School of Law. In response to this development, the Council of the District of Columbia passed legislation that established the District of Columbia School of Law. This new institution retained Antioch’s mission, curriculum, clinical programs, and personnel. In 1991, the District of Columbia School of Law secured provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA) and rapidly grew to nearly 300 students.

Carrying forward the foundational principles of its predecessor, the District of Columbia’s public law school has three statutory missions:

  1. To provide a comprehensive legal education that merges theoretical knowledge with practical skills, thereby empowering students to be effective and ethical advocates;
  2. To actively recruit and enroll students from demographic groups that are traditionally underrepresented within the legal profession; and
  3. To represent the legal needs of low-income residents through the school’s legal clinics.

In 1996, the D.C. Council passed legislation merging the School of Law with the University of the District of Columbia. On April 28, 1998, President Clinton signed legislation renaming the school the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. The name honors the legacy of former D.C. Council Chair David A. Clarke, who was an impassioned advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes and an ardent advocate for the School of Law’s educational, diversity, and public service missions.

In 1998, a new grant of provisional ABA accreditation was awarded to the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law and, in 2004, the school applied for full accreditation. The School of Law achieved full accreditation from the American Bar Association on August 8, 2005, with unanimous approval from the ABA House of Delegates.

In 2009, the School of Law began offering a part-time, evening Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program to enhance accessibility and flexibility for legal education seekers. In 2010, it launched a Master in Laws (LL.M.) program aimed at preparing attorneys for roles as clinical educators and leaders within the public interest legal sector.

In 2011, the School of Law moved down the street from UDC’s main Van Ness Campus to a 100,000 square-foot building at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Yuma Street, 4340 Connecticut Avenue, NW.

Since 2014, the School of Law has expanded its number of legal clinics to encompass ten practice areas: Community Development, Criminal Defense and Racial Justice, General Practice, Housing Advocacy and Litigation, Immigration & Human Rights, Legislation, Post-Conviction Criminal Defense, Tax, Whistleblower Protection, and Youth Justice. Through its clinics and other experiential learning programs, the faculty and students of the School’s legal program collectively provide tens of thousands of hours of legal services annually to the residents of the District of Columbia.

The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.

The School of Law’s Required Disclosures, Notice of Non-Discrimination, and Freedom of Expression Policy can be found here: Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures).

On Tuesday, November 16th, 1999, before a cross section of over 500 District of Columbia residents, the University and School of Law celebrated the naming of the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. The new School of Law name celebrates the life and work of Dave Clarke: friend, colleague, former law professor, and battler for civil rights who died at the age of 53 in 1997. A portrait of “Dave” was presented to his widow, Carole Clarke, and son, Jeffrey Clarke, by School of Law alumni. Dave Clarke was a central figure in the District’s civil rights movement and became a life-long advocate for the rights of the disenfranchised and working people. Initially elected to represent the District’s most multi-cultural district Ward One — he was later elected to represent all District citizens At Large and then as Council Chair. After an unsuccessful run for Mayor, Clarke co-founded and co-directed the Legislation Clinic at the School of Law until he again ran for and was elected Council Chairperson. After that, he continued his teaching duties on a pro bono basis. As Chair of the D.C. Council, Clarke championed the creation of the District’s public law school and its unique program of mandatory clinical service on the part of all law students. In 1986, faced with the loss of critical legal services provided by the closing of the District-based Antioch School of Law, he seized the opportunity to transform that program into a public one, and battled annually for years to ensure full funding. In addition to his work on the School of Law, among many other causes, Clarke was a renowned and effective rent control advocate. He was also the principal author of and driving force behind the District’s landmark Assault Weapons Strict Liability legislation that helped inspire the federal ban on private ownership of such weapons and foreshadowed a national movement to impose civil liability on gun manufacturers.

The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law prohibits discrimination or harassment against any person on the basis of the actual or perceived actual race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, sex, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. This policy covers all programs, services, policies, and procedures of the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, including admission to educational programs and employment.

The University’s Title IX Policy and Procedures can be found here: https://www.udc.edu/title-ix/.

To report discrimination or harassment, please contact the University’s Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator, whose contact information can be found here: https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity/.

“I knew Dave Clarke… I remember the great outpouring of love and respect and affection for him that enveloped the church at his memorial service when he was taken, too young, from us all. Dave was a true giant in the history of this city… No one, before or since, has ever bridged the racial divide in Washington with as much confidence and hope as did Dave. He genuinely cared for the poor and the powerless, and dedicated his life in service to this community. It is fitting and proper that the one law school in Washington which defines as its mission the training of lawyers who also will serve this community, will be named in honor of David A. Clarke.”
– Myles V. Lynk
Partner, Dewey Ballantine, LLP
Past President, District of Columbia Bar

Student raising her hand to ask a question during lecture in the classroom.
Students taking a test in a classroom. Smart young girls talking and giving advice to each other.

What makes UDC David A. Clarke School of Law unique among law schools?

  • UDC Law is committed to the public interest, using the law to help those in need and reshape our community. Each year, our faculty and students provide more than 33,000 hours of essential legal services to DC residents.
  • We are focused on extensive practical training, with the largest clinical requirement of any U.S. law school. Each student provides hundreds of hours of pro bono legal service, gaining direct, hands-on work experience and acquiring the skills needed to solve real problems. 
  • Our tuition is a fraction of the cost of other law schools and 91% of our students receive scholarships and/or financial aid. Graduating with less debt means you will have more flexibility to choose public interest or other employment options after graduation.
  • In addition to our full-time program, we offer a part-time evening option for those seeking a quality education and degree while continuing to work and meet other responsibilities. The real world life experience of our students enriches classroom discussions and the quality of education for everyone.
  • Teaching and advocacy excellence at UDC Law runs well beyond theoretical challenges in the classroom. Our faculty includes attorney-professors who work side-by-side with students to pursue practical advocacy in the courtroom, legislative or regulatory hearing rooms, and centers for citizen activism.
  • UDC Law is recognized as one of the nation’s most diverse law schools both for our faculty and students, making us a welcoming place where students of all backgrounds feel at home.
  • We are located in our nation’s capital, offering many opportunities to meet leaders in law and policy and participate in creating litigation, and legislative, regulatory and organizing strategies focused on solving society’s toughest problems.
  • Our school’s small size means that you will not be lost in the crowd, competing for attention, but will personally know our faculty and administrators.  Our students become true colleagues, and our spirit of support and collaboration runs deep.

JOIN US at UDC Law, where HOW you learn and WHAT you learn will set you apart and equip you with the vision and skills to practice law, promote justice and change lives.