The Civil Law Clinic provides law students the opportunity to represent clients in pending civil cases, learning how to competently and professionally represent clients in civil matters through both live-client representation and extensive simulations.
Students are assigned to cases from a wide variety of subject-matter areas including civil rights, consumer law, landlord-tenant, personal injury, contracts, and employment law. The classroom component of the course provides training in client, pre-trial, and trial practice skills. From litigation strategy to ethical issues, the clinic also includes discussion and analysis of the pending cases. Students learn from each other’s experiences and develop the fundamental professional skill of self-reflection — a skill they will carry with them throughout their careers.
Students are responsible for the clients to which they are assigned. Students meet with clients, assess their needs, and work collaboratively with clients to problem solve. Students take the lead on strategy and decision-making. Students file pleadings in courts, negotiate with co-counsel, engage in discovery, engage in court appearances, trials, and hearings.