Rate My Professor Michael Flynn

Michael W. Flynn serves as Associate Dean for Global Engagement and Clinical Professor of Law at Santa Clara University School of Law. Hailing from Iowa, he obtained his B.A. in ancient history from Tufts University before earning his J.D. from University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (UC Law SF). During law school, he coached and competed on champion moot court teams and co-chaired Hastings Outlaw, intervening in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez to support LGBT student rights. Post-graduation, Flynn clerked in the Civil and Appellate Divisions of San Francisco Superior Court, practiced as a litigation associate at a San Francisco boutique firm, acted as General Counsel and Senior Vice-President for a social media marketing company, and worked for a commercial bar preparation company. Between 2009 and 2020, he represented clients appealing felony convictions as appointed counsel with the Sixth District Appellate Program and California Appellate Project. He also created and hosted the podcast Legal Lad’s Quick and Dirty Tips for a More Lawful Life.

Flynn joined Santa Clara Law faculty in 2010, having taught legal writing at UC Law SF since 2007, and currently serves as Visiting Professor there teaching Constitutional Law in 2023-2024. His teaching portfolio includes Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Legal Writing, Appellate Advocacy, bar exam preparation, and The Skill of Ethical Lawyering. Administratively, he has directed moot court programs, coordinated the Legal Writing Department, led the Office of Academic and Bar Success, and was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 2018 to 2022. He contributed to the National Conference of Bar Examiners' Content Scope Committee on criminal and constitutional law and advises the Faculty Advisory Board of the Leavey School of Business's Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In his current role since 2023, Flynn advances global engagement through study abroad programs in Singapore, Munich, and The Hague, and new initiatives like the 2024 Transpacific Negotiation Institute.