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Clanitra L. Stewart joins NIU Law Library faculty

August 8, 2014

 

Clanitra Stewart

Clanitra Stewart

Clanitra L. Stewart has joined the library faculty at Northern Illinois University College of Law as a Reference and Instructional Services Librarian and Assistant Professor. In her new role, she provides legal reference assistance to faculty, students and other library users. In addition, she teaches a legal research class at the school.

Before joining NIU Law, Stewart practiced at the South Carolina Appleseed Justice Center, where she provided local and statewide policy advocacy on behalf of low-income communities in the areas of affordable housing, homelessness, hunger and community economic development. Prior to that, she was an attorney at the Georgia Legal Services Program, representing indigent clients in a variety of civil cases.

“Clanitra is a real asset to our library research faculty, combining years of practice in public interest law with a passion for the possibilities of top-notch legal research. Our students will greatly benefit in their careers from her expert instruction in the latest legal research techniques,” said NIU Law Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea.

“I am excited at the opportunities available to me at NIU Law, combining reference instruction with teaching a legal research class,” said Clanitra L. Stewart. “A thorough understanding of legal research is an asset to any student. No matter what type of law a student ends up practicing, a young lawyer’s ability to efficiently and economically – as well as creatively – conduct legal research will make him or her stand out in the legal marketplace.”

Stewart received a J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 2000 and an MLIS from the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina in 2013. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina Honors College in 1997.

The only public law school in Northern Illinois, NIU College of Law has been named a top law school nationally for diversity, value, and careers in public interest/government service. NIU Law provides unique opportunities for its students, beginning with its highly accomplished faculty who are personally invested in the success of every student throughout their professional lives. Although many alumni serve as public interest attorneys, prosecutors, defenders, elected officials, and judges, they are equally prepared for careers as solo practitioners or lawyers in multinational firms.