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• Associate Clinical Professor, Civil Practice Clinic:
• Course Numbers and Descriptions: /

Mission

The Civil Practice Clinic at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law is among the institution's oldest clinics. Students here develop their civil practice skills while advocating for economic justice in diverse civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution contexts, including administrative complaints, judicial and administrative tribunals, negotiation, and mediation.

Clients

Students represent low-income or underrepresented workers fighting for their justly earned wages and tenants in disputes with their landlords.  Both groups face structural disadvantages.  The opposing parties have greater resources, familiarity with the legal system, and access to representation.  And the impact of these cases can have far-reaching implications: when someone loses their job or housing or is denied rightful compensation, the ensuing ripple effects can wreak havoc on that person’s life.

The Civil Practice Clinic receives client referrals from a variety of non-profit legal organizations.  If you have a dispute with your employer and are seeking representation, please contact  for a free referral to their network of employment attorneys.  For landlord-tenant disputes, please contact the  or .  Please note that representation from these partner organizations is not guaranteed.

Scope

The Civil Practice Clinic is a year-long, 8-credit course, which allows students to see many of their cases from start to finish.  Clinic students act as the lead attorneys on their cases, and work with their clients from intake to its conclusion. Initially, students meet and interview their clients, gather information and documents, and research the applicable laws to develop a case plan.  They then typically prepare demand letters and engage in pre-litigation negotiations to achieve their client’s goals.  If those attempts are unsuccessful, they will draft court filings or administrative complaints and appear at hearings and trials.  They may appear in state court or in administrative agency proceedings.  In both contexts, students may present opening statements and closing arguments and examine witnesses.  The CPC helps students to develop good client relationships while developing competency in ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ wage-and-hour law, landlord-tenant law, and civil procedure.