Faculty

The diverse interests and expertise of the clinical faculty provide a variety of opportunities for experiential learning. In this setting, students master client representation and counseling, case planning and strategy, and persuasive advocacy before trial courts and administrative tribunals.

Washburn Law Clinic Faculty

Photograph: Michelle Ewert.Professor Michelle Ewert joined the Washburn Law Clinic in 2017 and became the Director in 2023. Before that, she was a Clinical Fellow at the University of Baltimore Civil Advocacy Clinic and taught Family Law. Previously, Professor Ewert practiced fair housing law in the western suburbs of Chicago and worked in civil legal services in the Central Valley in California and Baltimore, Maryland.

"In clinic, students apply what they learned in their classes to help real clients solve real problems. The experience can be transformative both for the students and the clients."

Other Washburn Law Faculty

Photograph: Matt BenderProfessor Matt Bender is a former line defender for the Arkansas Public Defender Commission and ran the Criminal Practice Clinic at the University of Arkansas School of Law before joining Washburn’s Law Clinic. He has tried several dozen cases to juries in state and federal court and represented more than 1,000 people accused of criminal offenses. As a clinical professor, he has defended people accused of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to cases where the government is seeking to the death penalty. Through his clinic work Bender also has frequently represented plaintiffs whose federally protected rights have been violated in Section 1983 cases, appellate cases, and complex felonies.


Photograph: Gillian Chadwick.Professor Gillian Chadwick joined the Washburn Law Clinic in 2016 and was the Director from 2019 to 2023. Before that, she worked at the Domestic Violence Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center. Before Professor Chadwick began teaching, she practiced in civil legal services for several years in Washington, D.C., representing victims of domestic violence in family law and immigration cases.

"The heart of clinical education is helping students not only build fundamental lawyering skills, but also discover within themselves the intangible tools and resources they need to become the lawyers they want to be."

Photograph: Clarissa HarveyProfessor Clarissa Harvey joined the Washburn Law Clinic in 2023. Before teaching, she founded the Law Office of Clarissa Harvey, a thriving legal practice in Kansas City. As the Principal Attorney, she represented small businesses, microenterprises and community-based organizations on contract, intellectual property, and business and transactional law matters.


Photograph: Randall Hodgkinson.Professor Randall Hodgkinson joined the Washburn Law faculty in 2006 and supervises students in a joint endeavor between Washburn University School of Law and the Kansas Appellate Defender Office (the appellate public defender for the state of Kansas).

"I enjoy working with students on real felony appeals. The transition from academic exercises to real cases with real clients is eye-opening and enriching for students. Appellate experience is so valuable in many types of diverse practice areas after law school."