法科大学院教育と早稲田大学の実務教育のための二 つの法律事務所

Japan launched the law school system in 2004, and 74 law schools wereestablished. In the past ten years, thirteen law offices affiliated with lawschools were also set up. There are two characteristics to define a“law-school-affiliated” law office. One is that the law office is opened onthe campus of a particular law school, and the other is that the majorpurpose of the law office is to provide the practical training for studentsof the law school. There are three categories of the law-school-affiliatedlaw offices. The first category is law offices that were established witha strong initiative of the law schools. The second is those that wereestablished by a group of devoted practicing attorneys. The third is thoseestablished in the collaboration with a particular local bar association. The first category of law-school-affiliated law offices shows thestrongest involvement to the legal education of the law schools where thelaw offices are established. Waseda University Legal Clinic Law Office isin the first category. Waseda University Legal Clinic Law Office was established in 2004 asthe first law-school-affiliated law office in Japan. It is a legal entityindependent of the Waseda University, because universities are notallowed to set up a law office. It collaborates with Waseda Law School in providing practical training for the law students. As well as theeducational purpose, it aims to contribute to the public by providing freelegal services to the local community, particularly to the people with lowincomes. The Law Office receives compensations from the University forits practical education to the law students and provides legal servicesfree of charge to the local community. In March of 2013, the second law office was established to collaboratewith Waseda Law School in providing practical education for the lawstudents. It is Waseda Legal Commons Law Office. It is financiallyindependent of Waseda University but closely related with Waseda LawSchool in terms of both alumni relationship and the educationalcollaboration. Waseda Legal Commons provides three types of practicaltraining. One is that many of the partners serve as academic advisor tothe law students. The second is that Waseda Legal Commons acceptsexternship students all the year round, not limited to the summer orspring recess. The third is the “Commons’ case project” in which Wasedastudents are trained in live client cases which Waseda Legal Commons’attorneys represent. The significance of having a “law-school-affiliated” law office forprofessional legal education is that this type of law office is theembodiment of the “bridge between theory and practice” in law. In thiseducational setting of teaching theory and practice of law, students canlearn law incorporated with practical skills and professional responsibilities.