Clinical program welcomes new assistant dean

Strong is the new Assistant Dean for clinics.There are many synonyms and puns for the word “strong,” and it is likely that Rachel L. Strong has heard most of them. Luckily, Georgetown Law’s newly-minted Assistant Dean for Clinical and Practicum Programs can find solace in the fact that her formidable work ethic, impressive experience, and intense passion will indeed serve to bolster Georgetown Law’s clinical and practicum program.

Dean Strong is no stranger to mentoring young lawyers and lawyers-to-be. Before coming to the Law Center, Strong ascended the ranks of Howrey LLP, starting as an associate, then working as Pro Bono Counsel, and finally serving as Pro Bono Partner. At Howrey, she participated in and supervised hundreds of pro bono cases and was responsible for the overall strategy and administration of the pro bono program firm wide. Through her work with Howrey’s Pro Bono programs, Strong worked to assist clients who otherwise would not have been able to find legal representation.

Strong’s favorite part of her former job was working with young associates on pro bono cases and watching the inexperienced attorneys handle their first client interviews, depositions, and court experiences. Regarding her experiences training young lawyers, Strong says she “enjoyed helping teach these young lawyers skills that they could use on all different cases that they would work on as they progressed in their careers.”
Now at Georgetown Law, Strong has transitioned from supervising the training of young lawyers to supervising the training of law students.

In her new position as Assistant Dean for Clinical and Practicum Programs, Strong assists Associate Dean Deborah Epstein in the administration of the clinical program and in the development and expansion of the curriculum of practicum courses.

Epstein describes Strong as an “incredibly talented, brilliant, professional lawyer and administrator who hit the ground running at Georgetown Law.”

Of the many features that drew Strong to this position, she was most excited about working with students through advising and getting involved in “cutting-edge practicum courses.” Georgetown Law’s practicum courses combine a substantive seminar class and student field work in a related area.  “Georgetown is on the forefront of designing its curriculum to incorporate real-life learning experiences,” says Strong, “and I am excited to be a part of this shift in pedagogy.” Strong also hopes to increase the practicum course offerings “so that students leave here with as much practical experience as they can get.”

Strong’s responsibilities at Georgetown Law will also include administrative work for the clinical program, which Strong describes as “already the best in the country.” She hopes to work with both the clinic faculty and the student body to build on the existing strengths of the clinics and find areas in which to make improvements and additions. “The administration at the Law Center is dedicated to helping the students forge a successful path here and in their careers, and I want to play whatever role I can in that effort.”

With her knowledge, drive, and capacity for innovation, Strong makes a compelling addition to the Georgetown Law administration.

In Dean Epstein’s words, “the entire clinical faculty is thrilled to welcome Dean Strong to our community.  The clinical and experiential programs already are enormously improved due to her creativity and dedication to excellence.  I’m confident that students will enjoy any opportunity they have to work with her.”