As part of the USAID Rule of Law Program’s effort to improve Georgian university law school clinics, from June 16 to June 28, 2024, Professor Bridget Arimond, Director of the Master’s Program in International Human Rights Law at Northwestern University School of Law, Evanston, Illinois, USA, met with over 12 professors and 57 students from around the country in an effort to improve the law clinic experience of Georgian law students.  

At Batumi State University (BSU), Professor Arimond discussed ways BSU’s Constitutional Law Clinic could improve its simulation course in constitutional adjudication. The discussions centered on broadening the course's scope and integrating more professors into clinic activities to enrich student learning.

Interacting directly with Constitutional Law Clinic students, Professor Arimond gained insight into what their experiences had been and what challenges they face. Students shared details of their casework and provided feedback which will help the clinic leaders refine educational strategies. These will be strategies that will better align course objectives with student needs, helping prepare them for real-world legal practice.  While at BSU, Professor Arimond conducted a specialized workshop focusing on drafting shadow reports and amicus briefs. This training gave BSU students more practical skills, reinforcing the university's commitment to experiential learning in constitutional law.

Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University (SABAUNI): Continuing her tour, Professor Arimond engaged with faculty members at SABAUNI's Law Clinic, where discussions centered on the challenges of serving Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The clinic's efforts in providing legal consultations to IDPs identified trust-building as a critical obstacle. Professor Arimond shared her expertise in client interviewing techniques, drawing from her international litigation background to enhance student proficiency in handling sensitive legal matters.

Her visit culminated in a public lecture, "Freedom of Assembly and the Role of Civil Society in a Thriving Democracy," explained how legal advocacy and civil rights protection was critical to maintaining the rule of law. Professor Arimond's lecture emphasized the transformative potential of civil society organizations in shaping democratic norms and safeguarding human rights.

Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University (TESAU):  At TESAU, Professor Arimond continued discussing civil liberties, and delivered another lecture on freedom of assembly. Her engagement extended to interactive discussions with participants, exploring nuanced legal concepts and societal implications of pursuing these concepts. The session provided a platform for robust intellectual exchange on legal frameworks governing civil liberties in democratic societies.  Further reinforcing her commitment to student development, Professor Arimond led sessions with TESAU's clinic students, focusing on refining client interviewing skills and operational strategies. These sessions were also designed to enhance clinic efficiency and student readiness for legal practice.

Zugdidi State University (ZSU): At ZSU, Professor Arimond collaborated with faculty members to improve clinical teaching methodologies. She spoke of the importance of integrating constitutional justice courses into the curriculum and called upon examples taken from her experiences at Northwestern University. The ZSU faculty explored innovative approaches to student assessment and syllabus design, aiming to elevate educational standards and expand clinic offerings in diverse legal fields. Eka Beselia, chair of the Multifunctional Educational Center "House of Justice," outlined collaborative initiatives with USAID to further enrich ZSU's clinic experience.

Ilia State University: Professor Arimond engaged with Ilia State University's Human Rights Clinic, a clinic which she has mentored for years. Discussions with clinic representatives covered ongoing case developments and the community impact of the clinic.

In a meeting with Giorgi Papuashvili, the new Dean of Ilia University's Law School, Professor Arimond reinforced collaborative ties between Northwestern University and Ilia State University's Clinic. She noted how important building educational frameworks and creating mutual learning experiences were to the institutional advancement in legal education.