August 15, 2024 – Stanford, CA – Stanford Law School (SLS) announced today that Bernice Grant has joined the faculty as a Professor of Law and Director of SLS’s transactional clinic, in which participating students gain experience by representing real-world clients.   

Grant focuses her teaching and scholarship on corporate law and entrepreneurship, drawing on her background as a Certified Public Accountant and corporate attorney. Before joining the SLS faculty, Grant was a Clinical Associate Professor of Law, founding director of the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, and Senior Director of the Entrepreneurial Law Program at Fordham University School of Law, where she also founded a podcast focused on educating entrepreneurs about legal issues affecting startup ventures. 

“I am thrilled to join the esteemed faculty of Stanford Law School and its dynamic community situated in the global hub of entrepreneurship,” Grant said. “Stanford’s unique approach to immersive clinical legal education provides an unparalleled opportunity to shape brilliant legal minds for the rapidly evolving future of our profession. I look forward to contributing to Stanford’s innovative clinical program by directing the next phase of its transactional clinic.”

Under the umbrella of Stanford Law School’s renowned Mills Legal Clinic, Grant’s transactional clinic will succeed the popular Organizations and Transactions Clinic that was founded and run by Jay Mitchell (BA ’80), until his retirement from the clinical program in 2023. Under Grant’s directorship, the clinic will represent low-income entrepreneurs and small businesses focused on addressing social and environmental challenges. 

“We are delighted to welcome Professor Grant to the Stanford Law faculty,” said George Triantis, dean and Richard E. Lang Professor of Law. “She comes to Stanford Law with an exceptionally strong record of accomplishment as a leader in clinical legal education. Her expertise in the legal and business issues facing entrepreneurs, particularly low-income business founders in under-represented communities, ideally positions her to lead our transactions clinic. SLS students are already very excited by the prospect of the hands-on transactional experience in the clinic.”

Professor Jayashri Srikantiah, Associate Dean for Clinical Education, called Grant “a phenomenal clinician, teacher, and a leader in the transactional clinical community. We are excited about her focus on entrepreneurship and her vision for the next chapter of the transactional clinic.”

In 2022, Grant received the Association of American Law School’s M. Shanara Gilbert Award for her commitment to social justice and providing legal services to underserved communities, as well as her service to the cause of clinical legal education. 

Before law school, Grant worked as a Certified Public Accountant. She began her legal career as a corporate associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, where she advised clients on a wide range of complex corporate transactions and executive compensation matters. She also maintained a pro bono practice, advising entrepreneurs and artists on legal issues. She then taught at New York University School of Law as an Acting Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the Lawyering Program, and at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School as a Clinical Supervisor and Lecturer in the Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic. 

She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School, LL.M. from New York University School of Law, M.S. from Wake Forest University School of Business, and B.S., magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University. 

About the Mills Legal Clinic

Founded in 2005, the Mills Legal Clinic is a vital part of Stanford Law’s mission to prepare every student for the challenges, responsibilities and rewards of a career as a legal professional. The Mills Legal Clinic allows participating students to devote themselves full-time to working as lawyers for an academic quarter, free from other coursework. They maintain the work schedule of a practicing lawyer and are certified as student attorneys through the California State Bar. Providing individualized, hands-on learning opportunities, this intensive training ground shapes future lawyers of every career aspiration, whether they choose to work in a large firm, become entrepreneurs, make policy or engage in full-time public service. 

About Stanford Law School

Stanford Law School is one of the nation’s leading institutions for legal scholarship and education. Its alumni are among the most influential decision makers in law, politics, business, and high technology. Faculty members argue before the Supreme Court, testify before Congress, produce outstanding legal scholarship and empirical analysis, and contribute regularly to the nation’s press as legal and policy experts. Stanford Law School has established a model for legal education that provides rigorous interdisciplinary training, hands-on experience, global perspective and focus on public service, spearheading a movement for change.