OUR WORK
The CVI Legal Clinic
Where law students build the legal future of community safety.
The Community Violence Legal Network (CVLN) has launched the CVI Legal Clinic, the nation’s first legal education and advocacy initiative dedicated to supporting community-based violence intervention (CVI) organizations, survivors, and frontline practitioners. The Clinic has already partnered with law schools across the country in 2025 including hosting events and clinics at Northwestern Law School, Yale Law School, University of Baltimore, and Rutgers Law!
The CVI Legal Clinic is co-chaired by Ambar Caldwell and Benard McKinley, two law students leading a national effort to connect legal education with community violence intervention.
Why the CVI Legal Clinic Exists
The CVI Legal Clinic was created in response to what we heard from the field and from students — that community-based violence intervention organizations face complex legal challenges with limited access to representation or advocacy.
The Clinic bridges that gap by connecting law students, faculty, and community partners to advance justice, prevent violence, and build sustainable legal support for the CVI field.
Our Work Focuses On:
Legal education and research on violence prevention
Direct legal and policy support for CVI organizations and survivors
Federal and state funding compliance (DOJ, OJP, state-level programs)
Hands-on student training, externships, and community partnerships
Building a pipeline for Black and Brown law students in public safety law
Student-Led Leadership
The CVI Legal Clinic is co-chaired by two law students dedicated to transforming legal education and practice through community engagement.
Ambar Caldwell
Law student and advocate for equity in legal education, co-chairing national student engagement for CVLN’s CVI Legal Clinic.
Bernard McKinley
Law student, system-impacted leader, and community violence prevention advocate committed to bridging law, lived experience, and justice.
Connecting law students nationwide.
CVLN is working with law student associations and affinity groups across the country to bring the CVI Legal Clinic into classrooms, clinics, and student chapters.
The Clinic will host workshops, trainings, and peer-to-peer learning spaces for students who want to use their legal education to strengthen public safety and community healing.