In the Family Defense Clinic, students represent parents in child welfare cases. Students interview and counsel parents who have been accused of abuse or neglect of their children and/or have had their children removed from their care. Students conduct investigations, prepare case strategies, draft pleadings and motions, participate in the court system’s Child Planning Conferences, and litigate cases. In their role as parents’ attorneys, students interact with all participants in the child protection system: social workers, county attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, and judges. In addition to representation of parents in abuse and neglect proceedings, where appropriate, students also represent plaintiffs in domestic violence protective order matters.
Enrollment Options and Credit Hours
- Full year (fall and spring semester) – 5 credit hours fall semester, 4 credit hours spring semester
Skills Learned
- Diligent and zealous advocacy
- Client-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate representation
- Experience providing multidisciplinary representation, collaborating with non-legal professionals, such as social workers and medical professionals
- Interviewing
- Counseling
- Problem solving
- Factual investigation
- Legal research and application of facts to law
- Litigation planning/Strategic planning
- Negotiation
- Trial Preparation
- Written advocacy
- Oral advocacy
- Oral and written communication
- Case file management
- Experience working in an office setting with a supervising attorney, colleagues and support staff
Requirements
- Pre-requisite courses: Professional Responsibility; Evidence
- Pre- or co-requisite courses: Children and the Law
Faculty
