The Guantanamo Defense Clinic directly involves Duke Law students in researching, writing briefs, and helping to craft strategy for the miliatry lawyers who are defending Guantanamo Bay detainees.
The Law School established the Guantanamo Defense Clinic in October 2005, by special arrangement between the chief defense counsel for the detainees, Col. Dwight Sullivan, USMCR, Office of Military Commissions, Department of Defense, and Duke Law Professor Madeline Morris, an expert in international and humanitarian law. Morris previously directed the Law School's clinical programs in support of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Since its launch, the clinic has grown from six students to its current enrollment of 30, both to meet client need and accommodate student demand. Clinic students are divided into five teams, with each assigned to a specific case. Team members, under Morris’ supervision, review and comment on each other’s work on assignments from the chief defense counsel and from the lead counsel in their particular case, and collaborate on briefs and memos.
Charges levied against the detainees vary, but include conspiracy to commit attacks on civilians, murder, and terrorism.