Building the Next Generation of Practice-Ready Legal Advocates

Your Path from Law Student to Practice-Ready Advocate

LEAP helps Nashville School of Law students move beyond classroom learning through courtroom exposure, attorney mentorship, pro bono service, and meaningful legal work. Participants build practical skills, professional experience, and a documented portfolio of practice demonstrating what they have learned, contributed, and are prepared to do.

Find Your Place in LEAP

LEAP creates opportunities for Nashville School of Law students seeking real-world legal experience and for legal professionals and organizations interested in helping develop future advocates.

I'm a Student

LEAP is designed for Nashville School of Law students seeking courtroom exposure, attorney mentorship, public-interest service, practical legal experience, and professional growth.

You do not need to be eligible for Rule 7 practice to express interest. Advanced experiential-learning and Rule 7 opportunities require at least 29 completed NSL credit hours and additional approvals.

Submit a Student Interest Form

I Want to Partner

Attorneys, judges, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and legal-service providers can participate through mentorship, courtroom exposure, educational programs, public-interest projects, and eligible experiential placements.

A partnership does not have to begin with a full internship or Rule 7 placement.

Start a Partnership Conversation

Why LEAP?

LEAP turns legal education into demonstrated capability. Through courtroom observation, attorney mentorship, public-interest service, supervised legal projects, and approved experiential opportunities, participants develop practical skills while documenting their professional growth in a Portfolio of Practice.

For Students

Gain real-world exposure, strengthen practical skills, serve the community, and graduate prepared to show employers what you have learned to do.

For Legal Partners

Help students develop professional judgment, practical skills, and an understanding of what effective legal practice requires.

For the Community

Properly structured and supervised student participation can expand the capacity of nonprofits, public-interest initiatives, governmental agencies, and legal-service providers working to improve access to justice.

How LEAP Works

Start where you are. Grow as you go.

LEAP is designed to meet students at different stages of law school. You do not need to be Rule 7 eligible to participate in LEAP. Opportunities in Explore, Serve, and Develop are available to students regardless of Rule 7 eligibility. Rule 7 Practice is an additional opportunity for students who separately meet Tennessee Supreme Court and NSL requirements.

1. Explore the Profession

See how law works beyond the classroom. (Open to ALL Students)

Observe live court proceedings
Learn courtroom procedure and professional expectations
Meet attorneys, judges, and legal professionals
Explore practice areas and career paths

2. Contribute Through Service

Put developing legal skills to work for the public good. (Open to ALL Students)

Conduct attorney-supervised legal research
Assist with public legal-education materials
Support nonprofit and public-interest initiatives
Participate in qualifying pro bono projects

Qualifying service may count toward NSL’s Pro Bono Service Initiative and Tennessee Supreme Court’s formal designation.

3. Develop Through Experience

Take on meaningful legal work with professional guidance. (Open to ALL Students)

Strengthen legal research, writing, and communication skills
Assist with interviewing, investigation, and case preparation
Receive feedback from experienced attorneys
Document professional growth in a Portfolio of Practice

NSL-recognized experiential opportunities require at least 29 completed credit hours and all applicable academic, approval, supervision, and performance requirements.

4. Practice Under Rule 7

Qualified students may provide limited legal services through an approved and properly supervised Rule 7 placement.

Rule 7 participation requires:

At least 29 completed NSL credit hours;
Academic good standing;
NSL certification;
Tennessee Supreme Court approval;
A qualifying placement; and
An eligible supervising attorney.

LEAP participation does not itself authorize the practice of law or guarantee placement. Eligibility depends on the particular activity and all applicable NSL, Tennessee Supreme Court, placement, and supervision requirements.

Graduate with More Than a Resume

A Portfolio of Practice

A resume tells employers where a student has worked. A LEAP Portfolio of Practice helps demonstrate what the student has learned to do.

Throughout their participation, students document their experience, professional development, and practical skills. The portfolio creates a structured record of growth that students can use to reflect on their progress, prepare for interviews, and communicate their readiness to future employers.

Career Ready. Practice Ready.

LEAP participants are encouraged to graduate prepared to discuss not only where they gained experience, but how they developed as researchers, writers, advocates, problem-solvers, and legal professionals.

Their Portfolio of Practice helps transform experience into evidence, giving prospective employers a clearer understanding of the student’s capabilities, professional growth, and readiness to contribute.

Meet the Inaugural LEAP Participants

The inaugural LEAP participants represent the first group of students participating in LUCHA’s experiential legal advocacy initiative in partnership with attorneys, mentors, and community-based legal programs.

Ali Hendrix

Participating Law Student | Nashville School of Law Class of 2028

LinkedIn Profile

Ali Hendrix is a participating law student in LUCHA’s inaugural LEAP cohort at Nashville School of Law. Through LEAP, she is gaining supervised exposure to courtroom procedure, legal research, and community-focused legal advocacy initiatives.

Jesus Gonzalez

Participating Law Student | Nashville School of Law Class of 2028

LinkedIn Profile

Jesus Gonzalez is a participating law student in LUCHA’s inaugural LEAP cohort at Nashville School of Law. With a professional background in real estate, housing-related matters, and community advocacy, his interests include litigation, housing law, and experiential legal education. Through LEAP, he is gaining supervised exposure to courtroom procedure, legal research, and advocacy support initiatives.

Additional participating students may be added as the LEAP program expands.

Build Experience Before Graduation

LEAP connects future legal advocates with mentorship, experiential learning, professional exposure, and community-focused legal initiatives before graduation.

Apply to LEAP

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