About the Human Rights Initiative clinic
The Human Rights Initiative (HRI) gives Iowa law students hands-on opportunities in international human rights law. The clinic partners with human rights organizations across the globe to support the rule of law and fundamental rights that are necessary to a vibrant, peaceful, and democratic society. This work is nonpartisan and focuses on core freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, association, and conscience, and the right to civic participation.
Students learn essential lawyering skills in a supportive environment that fosters critical thinking and ethical inquiry and work collaboratively on small teams to grapple with complex issues, ranging from forced labor in Asia to environmental degradation in Africa. Students engage directly with partner organizations, including senior lawyers who are experts in their respective fields, and work over the course of the term to deliver sophisticated legal and factual analysis. Projects expose students to a wide variety of human rights methods, including fact investigations, national litigation support, and submissions to international and regional human rights bodies.
The Human Rights Initiative clinic is directed by Hope Metcalf.
“Reading the news, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless. Knowing that my team could make a concrete contribution—even a small one—was empowering. That’s why I came to law school.”
How to get involved
The Human Rights Initiative is an intensive clinic experience designed to quickly provide students with the skills necessary to take on real-world and sophisticated legal projects for international organizations. Students work on small teams of 2-3 under the direct supervision of the clinic director and in close collaboration with an organizational partner.
New students are accepted each fall term and earn six credits. Students must have had prior coursework in international law and/or human rights, such as Foundations in International Law (offered each spring) and/or Introduction to International Human Rights Law and Practice (offered each fall). Students planning to enroll in the clinic should also plan to enroll in the August intercession, “Human Rights Methods,” to learn the basics of human rights legal and factual research.
Students may choose to continue in the spring term in an advanced section. On occasion, graduating JDs or ASJDs may be able to enroll in the clinic’s spring advanced section if they have relevant human rights experience.
“I loved learning in a setting outside the classroom. HRI gave me hands-on experience in international law and the opportunity to work with extraordinary lawyers in other countries.”
Clinic news
Iowa Law awarded highest ranking for human rights law for fifth consecutive year
A new era for clinical education
Contact us
Interested students and prospective partners should reach out to clinic director Hope Metcalf for more information.