The HRGJ Clinic focuses on international criminal law and human rights law, conflict and war, sexual and gender-based violence, anti-trafficking work, reproductive rights, LGBTIQ rights, economic and social rights, and children’s rights.

Human Rights and Gender Justice (HRGJ) Clinic students engage in cutting edge human rights work under close clinical supervision. The Clinic maintains a diverse docket of projects, providing students broad experience in human rights practice. Through the clinical seminar and project work, HRGJ students develop a sound understanding of international human rights and sharpen lawyering skills necessary for effective law reform-oriented advocacy work applicable in both U.S. and international contexts.

Widely recognized for its expertise and contributions to gender jurisprudence and human rights practice, the HRGJ clinic advocates before international and regional human rights bodies and national and local courts and legal institutions. Our projects combat gender discrimination and sexual violence, advance reproductive and sexual rights and economic and social rights, and promote women’s participation and empowerment. By addressing problems through the lens of human rights, HRGJ students use international human rights law and institutions to challenge and expand rights protections in both domestic and international fora.

Faculty

  • Cindy Soohoo
    Co-Director, Human Rights and Gender Justice Clinic and Professor of Law
    Cynthia Soohoo a Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Human Rights and Gender Justice Clinic. Her work focuses on reproductive health and justice, gender justice, and human rights advocacy in the U.S. She has authored submissions to the U.S. Supreme Court, appellate courts and international forums on access to abortion, forced sterilization, criminalization of reproductive choices and pregnancy outcomes, remedies for trafficking survivors, and youth in the adult criminal justice system. Prof. Soohoo served as Director of the U.S. Legal Program at the Center for Reproductive Rights from 2008-2011. From 2001-2007, Prof. Soohoo was Director of the U.S. Human Rights Program at the Human Rights Institute, Columbia Law School and a supervising attorney for the law school's Human Rights Clinic. Read Cindy Soohoo's full bio.
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