About Mai Linh
Mai Linh Spencer is an Associate Clinical Professor at UC Law San Francisco, an institution formerly known as UC Hastings College of the Law. She joined the State Bar of California in 2005, starting her active engagement in the legal profession. Located at 200 McAllister Street, UC Law San Francisco offers a variety of courses in essential lawyering skills and legal externships, preparing students for successful careers in law. Spencer earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from New York University School of Law in 1997. Prior to her legal education, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Women's Studies and English from Amherst College in 1989. During her time at NYU, she worked as a trial lawyer in the Civil Rights Division, where she developed her skills in advocacy and litigation.
This early exposure to civil rights law laid a strong foundation for her later work in public defense. In 2005, Spencer became a Deputy State Public Defender, representing clients in criminal cases throughout California. Her role involved not only defending individuals accused of crimes but also advocating for justice and fairness within the legal system. In 2011, she transitioned to academia, beginning her career as an Assistant Clinical Professor. By 2012, she advanced to the position of Lecturer, and in 2015, she attained the title of Associate Clinical Professor. This progression supports her legal education and her dedication to mentoring the next generation of attorneys.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Spencer serves as the academic director of the Lawyers for America program. This initiative places third-year law students in full-year externships with nonprofits and government offices. This gives invaluable real-world experience. Following their externships, students are offered a year of paid, post-graduate work, further enhancing their professional development. Spencer's involvement in this program shows her commitment to public service and legal education. Spencer has also been actively engaged in initiatives aimed at reforming the bar examination process.
In 2023, she participated in a working group that recommended the adoption of a Portfolio Bar Examination. This innovative approach seeks to assess candidates' minimum competence to practice law in a more holistic manner. As a member of both the State Bar of California and the New York State Bar, Spencer has been recognized for her significant contributions to legal education and public service, solidifying her reputation as a leader in the field.
