The Technology Law and Policy Clinic utilizes lawyering tools to advocate for sound technology policy which promotes the public interest. A legal clinic is somewhat akin to a lab course: it is an experiential offering in which you work with law students to complete real legal work on technology policy issues. Prior to participation, an ITP student must take at least one policy course. The TLPC is guided by the following three principles:

• Principle No. 1: Thoughtfully explore important technology issues that have been under-appreciated and/or under-explored. The TLPC aims to promote the public interest by contributing objective analysis concerning significant technology, legal and economic policy issues or perspectives which are absent from or incomplete in current debates and discussions. The TLPC's involvement helps raise awareness concerning issues or perspectives that should be on policy-makers' agendas but has escaped proper attention or consideration.
• Principle No. 2: Elevate debate concerning technology issues that the TLPC tackles. Significantly, the TLPC aims to find a better answer by refusing to start at an answer. Instead, the TLPC attempts to inquire concerning relevant empirical data and arguments and then discern the best policy course. As appropriate, the TLPC looks to legal, technical, economic and political science insights to support its analyses. Notably, in order to enhance transparency concerning why a policy course is in the public interest, the TLPC explicitly connects policy goals with the suggested means to achieve them.
• Principle No. 3: Persuasively advocate for sound technology policy recommendations. The TLPC advocates for policy recommendations which are determined to be in the public interest. In addition to raising awareness of issues and perspectives, the TLPC advises policy-makers concerning an advisable course of action. Such advocacy is persuasive but not disingenuous. To accomplish this, the TLPC utilizes public interest lawyering tools, including (as appropriate) written filings, in-person oral advocacy, outreach and coalition-building, and efforts to influence public opinion (e.g., editorials, blogs, etc.).

Recommended: LAWS 6301, 6318, or 7241.
ITP students must take at least one three credit policy course prior to TLPC enrollment. Recommended courses include TLEN 5230 (Spectrum Management) and TLEN 5240 (Law & Policy), or LAWS 6301, 6318, or 7241. Space is limited and, if necessary, enrollment decisions re availability are subject to instructor. Please reach out to Brad Bernthal (brad.bernthal@colorado.edu) if you have questions or would like permission to enroll.

Required

If an education officer (EO) is indicated as “required” above, you will need an EO to proctor exams for the course. An EO cannot be a student's relative, friend, coworker, or someone who works for the student. The EO address must be a business address. Provide, change, or update your EO information by completing the EO Information Update form. To ensure we have the most updated EO information, you must provide the EO information every semester – even if it is the same EO.

For those able to come to campus, CAETE provides free proctoring services. Contact us at 303-492-6331 or caete@colorado.edu to schedule an exam appointment.

If you have any questions regarding who qualifies to be an EO, see EO information or contact CAETE.