LAW 977TUT - Access to Justice Clinic

Law 977 is an advanced clinical course, designed to immerse students in legal practice and experiential service-learning. Students will work on U.S. Constitutional and Civil Rights litigation in federal court, New York State individual rights protections, and reproductive health matters. Student attorneys will have the opportunity to staff our embedded clinic in federal court and, depending on our case load, argue in court. We will also engage in community education and policy matters. Students will work directly with clients and community partners, honing their legal practice skills through work under a practice order, and by assisting experienced lawyers working with pro se litigants. As part of their fieldwork, students will interview pro se litigants, research and write legal memoranda, draft court documents, engage in community education and outreach, and write Op Eds or brief policy papers. Students will also learn about local rules, civil procedure, ethical duties, client interviewing and representation, and social justice issues. As required in all clinics, student attorneys will attend separate team meetings to manage our legal work, engage in field work outside of class time, and attend weekly classes focused on substantive and procedural law used in our cases.

Credits: 1-6