Bernadette Gargano

Bernadette Gargano is the Vice Dean for Experiential Education and Social Justice Initiatives and Director of Clinical Legal Education at the University at Buffalo School of Law. She holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School (1999) and has served as a federal law clerk, private practitioner, and mediator in the Western District of New York. Her academic roles include developing curricula for legal methods, doctrinal courses, and clinical programs, earning her teaching and social justice awards.

Education:

• J.D., cum laude, Cornell Law School (1999)

Research Interests: Clinical legal education, social justice advocacy, pro bono service for underrepresented communities, and integrating interdisciplinary approaches to legal education. She pioneered the Federal Pro Se Assistance Program (PSAP) and the Pro Se Civil Litigation Practicum, which won the Bar Association of Erie County’s Justice Award (2015).

Awards:

• Faculty Award (2016)
• Jacob D. Hyman Award (2018)
• Lawyer of the Year (2015)
• Robert H. Jackson Distinguished Service Award (2019)

Advising & Grants: Her work includes mentoring through clinical programs and securing institutional support for initiatives like the Extended Learning Experiences program. She collaborates with the Robert H. Jackson Center on social justice-focused courses.

Labs/Teams: Leads embedded legal clinics in the WDNY, the Federal Pro Se Assistance Program, and interdisciplinary educational partnerships with the Chautauqua Institution.