2025 CLEA Awards for Outstanding Clinical and Externship Students: Oklahoma City’s HEROES Clinic Team

Each year, the Clinical Legal Education Association invites law schools to nominate students as their Outstanding Clinic Student or Team and Outstanding Externship student. This series includes submissions from law schools celebrating their outstanding students. 

From Oklahoma City University School of Law: 

CLEA Outstanding Clinic Team: HEROES Clinic Team

The HEROES Clinic student team at OCU Law exemplifies excellence in clinical legal education through their transformative work at the cost dockets across Cleveland, Pottawatomie, and Canadian Counties in Oklahoma. Working alongside Legal Aid Services, these students have demonstrated exceptional skill in client representation while achieving transformative relief for low-income Oklahomans.

The team’s fieldwork excellence is evidenced by their efficiency and effectiveness. In high-pressure environments, they conduct thorough client interviews in under 10 minutes, developing persuasive arguments for fee waivers in hearings that may last only 5 minutes. In only 3 short months since its inception, they secured over $470,591.32 in waived debt for 98 clients. Their ability to rapidly analyze complex financial circumstances and translate them into compelling legal arguments demonstrates mastery of both substantive law and practical advocacy.

In the seminar component, students demonstrated thoughtful reflection on ethical obligations, systemic inequities, and the broader impact of financial penalties in the legal system. Their class discussions revealed a deep engagement with questions of justice and professional responsibility.

Perhaps most impressive is the team’s collaboration. They worked together to triage clients, support each other under pressure, and ensure no one was left behind. They acted with mutual respect and a shared commitment to service, often volunteering additional time to ensure clients were seen.

Through their teamwork, the HEROES Clinic has made a measurable impact on clients, the courts, and each other. They exemplify the highest ideals of clinical legal education and are richly deserving of the Clinic Team Award.