Tulane Law Clinics Appoint New Directors
Two Tulane Law Clinics have new directors, Dean Marcilynn Burke announced, reinforcing the school’s strength and continued commitment to one of its most popular and nationally recognized hands-on legal training programs.
Bruce W. Hamilton has been appointed Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the First Amendment Clinic, while Carlotta Lepingwell formally becomes Director of the Criminal Justice Clinic, having served as interim director during the spring and fall 2025 semesters.
Additionally, law alumna Jessica Wood, who served as a visiting clinical professor in fall 2025, has been appointed Clinical Assistant Professor in the Domestic Violence Clinic.
All appointments are effective immediately, Burke said.
“These appointments reflect the depth of talent and dedication within our clinical faculty,” Burke said. “Professors Hamilton and Lepingwell are exceptional teachers and advocates whose leadership will strengthen clinics that are central to Tulane Law’s mission, while Professor Wood’s permanent appointment recognizes her outstanding contributions to our students and to survivors in our community.”
Hamilton previously served as a Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor in the First Amendment Clinic during fall 2025, while the law school conducted a national search following the departure of Professor Katie Schwartzmann. He brings extensive experience in constitutional law and civil liberties advocacy, and played a key role in the clinic’s work protecting free speech, press freedom, and the public’s right to access government information. As director, Hamilton will continue to guide students through complex litigation and advocacy on behalf of individuals facing First Amendment challenges, while expanding opportunities for students to engage in high-impact constitutional practice.
Lepingwell is no stranger to Tulane’s clinical programs. She joined the law school in 2020 as part of the inaugural team of the Women’s Prison Project, a collaboration between the Criminal Justice Clinic and the Domestic Violence Clinic. Her work has consistently reflected a strong commitment to student mentorship, ethical advocacy, and client-centered representation.
A seasoned criminal defense attorney and educator, Lepingwell brings deep expertise in trial advocacy, sentencing, and criminal legal reform. Under her leadership, the Criminal Justice Clinic will continue to provide students with rigorous courtroom experience representing clients in criminal matters, while advancing the clinic’s mission to address systemic inequities within the criminal justice system.
During her time as a visiting assistant professor, Wood has played a vital role in the work of the Domestic Violence Clinic, supporting survivors and helping train students in trauma-informed, client-focused legal practice. Before joining Tulane Law, she served as Managing Attorney of the Domestic Violence Unit at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, where she supervised attorneys and staff across multiple offices and jurisdictions. In that role, she trained and mentored new attorneys and law students in litigation and trauma-informed advocacy and served numerous coalitions and task forces focused on improving services for survivors.
