Jenner & Block and the University of Chicago picked an odd time to join more than a dozen law schools in launching a Supreme Court clinic.

Their joint announcement Tuesday comes as the high court prepares for a new term in which it has granted review in only 30 cases so far, an unusually small number. The new clinic will have to compete fiercely with other clinics and law firms for a dwindling number of cases—a trend that has had some wondering if the clinic movement has peaked.