Jessica Lefort

Jessica Lefort is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School, where she teaches in the Legal Practice Program and directs the Immigrant Justice Lab. Her work integrates practical legal training with advocacy for immigrant communities through collaborative public humanities initiatives.

Her academic credentials include a BA from Grand Valley State University and a JD from DePaul University, where she graduated summa cum laude and earned recognition as a Dean's Scholar, Faculty Scholar, and member of both the Law Review and Order of the Coif.

Professor Lefort's research centers on Legal Writing and Research with specialized focus on Immigration Law through the Immigrant Justice Lab. Her work bridges doctrinal scholarship and community-based advocacy, emphasizing practical skill development for students while addressing systemic issues in immigrant justice and carceral systems. The Lab operates as part of the Carceral State Project, partnering with nonprofits and impacted communities to advance rights-based legal strategies.

Her academic honors reflect exceptional scholarly achievement:

• summa cum laude
• Order of the Coif
• Dean’s Scholar
• Faculty Scholar
• Law Review

As director of the Immigrant Justice Lab, Professor Lefort mentors students in experiential learning through real-world advocacy projects, though specific grant funding details are not documented in available sources. Her pedagogical approach emphasizes immersive skill-building as evidenced by her featured role in Bloomberg Law's analysis of law school teaching methodologies.

The Immigrant Justice Lab serves as her primary scholarly platform, functioning as a collaborative public humanities project within the Carceral State Project framework. It maintains active partnerships with community organizations and academic institutions to develop innovative advocacy models while training future legal professionals in immigrant rights defense.