Tools for Social Change: Race and Justice Clinic

Having the opportunity to work on behalf of others while still a student was the most meaningful part of my legal education at UW.
— Jake Operskalski, J.D.

About the Tools for Social Change: Race and Justice Clinic

The Race and Justice Clinic works to disrupt the systemic over-representation of youth of color in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems through direct representation and systemic advocacy. Clinic students advocate for young people who are pushed out of school, given extreme sentences and stigmatized by juvenile criminal history records. The Race and Justice Clinic strives to center the voices and stories of youth and their communities to seek innovative solutions.

Projects

Representing youth directly

Clinic students have represented youth before the Clemency and Pardons Board, in first appearance hearings, records sealing motions, motions to modify legal financial obligations, school discipline hearings and early release hearings before the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board.

Providing community education

Examples include conducting workshops for youth in detention, collaborating with incarcerated youth to train public defenders, presenting youth voices to the Washington Supreme Court and educating community members about the harms of jailing youth.

Conducting collaborative research to spark change

Examples include partnering with a youth organization to draft Police in Schools: Student Perceptions of School Resource Officers and drafting an amicus brief filed in the Washington Supreme Court; and partnering with high school students to advocate for curriculum that addresses their cultural history.

Race and Justice Clinic News

A Lesson of More Effective Counsel
A chain link fence at a detention facility.

A Lesson of More Effective Counsel

Published:

Students in the Race and Justice Clinic reversed a de facto life sentence by advocating for the mitigating factors of their client’s youthfulness.

Sweet Clemency for Anthony Covert
Anthony Covert celebrates with clinic students.

Sweet Clemency for Anthony Covert

Published:

A long-time client of the Tools for Social Change Clinic was granted clemency and freed from incarceration in June 2024.

The Antidote to Powerlessness
Ayla Kadah among a collage of other Husky 100 honorees.

The Antidote to Powerlessness

Published:

Recognized among the Husky 100, Ayla Kadah sees a future with more lawyers supporting healing and transformation.

Racial Bias Harms Regardless of Intent
Graphic showing the Temple of Justice overlaid with text from the legal brief discussed in the article.

Racial Bias Harms Regardless of Intent

Published:

Law students celebrate a Washington Supreme Court ruling that is putting judges and attorneys on notice.

Race and Justice Clinic fights for systemic bail reform amid COVID-19

Race and Justice Clinic fights for systemic bail reform amid COVID-19

Published:

Working with the Northwest Community Bail Fund, clinic students are helping the organization recoup funds to secure pretrial releases for defendants who cannot afford it.