Sameer Ashar. “Deep Critique and Democratic Lawyering in Clinical Practice.” California Law Review, vol. 104, no.1 (2016): 193-224.
This article critiques mainstream legal education reform discourse for neglecting social justice values and embracing neoliberal frameworks, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 recession. It argues that while clinical legal education once served as a primary vehicle for justice-oriented pedagogy, its transformative potential has been diminished by generational changes and a shift toward market-driven “practical” training. In response, the author calls for a progressive vision of legal education rooted in critical analysis, political engagement, and collaboration between lawyers and communities to address systemic social issues and reclaim the profession’s commitment to the public good.