Students

The Community Justice Project is a 10 credit, one semester clinic that cuts across many subject matter areas and lawyering skills. Students in this clinic use multiple tactics to achieve client objectives, including litigation, nontraditional advocacy, public relations, the use of media, legislative and policy drafting and advocacy, and community organizing.

The Community Justice Project teaches students about the commitment that will sustain and energize them as advocates, the tactics that can produce success in particular cases, and the strategies that look to long-term (perhaps very long-term) success and participation in a protracted struggle for justice.

Applying to the Clinic

The Community Justice Project accepts 12 students per semester. Please visit the clinic registration website for application materials and relevant dates. Students should submit the general application as well as the supplemental application for The Community Justice Project.

Upcoming Open House:

March 21, 2013 5:00-6:00 pm
McDonough 336

We encourage students interested in our clinic to attend our open house or to meet with us individually to discuss their interest and the Clinic experience.

Direct Representation

Students directly represent clients in cases from beginning to end. Currently we are handling unemployment appeal hearings. In these cases, students:

• Handle their own case from start to finish
  
• Develop an attorney-client relationship
• Prepare necessary motions and discovery
• Conduct direct and cross-examination and closing argument before an Administrative Law Judge

The subject matter of direct representation cases may change based on community need.

Project Work

Teams of 2-4 students act as advocates for community, non-profit, educational, faith-based and other organizations and groups. Students serve as advocates, consultants, advisors, capacity-builders, strategic planners, policy analysts, and community organizers to help clients tackle complex, high priority projects across a wide variety of subject areas. 

These projects challenge our traditional notions of lawyering because there is no obvious litigation or transactional strategy that will "solve" the problem. Such cases provide a platform for students to think strategically about the project of justice.

Students work on one project for the duration of the semester. 

Past projects have focused on:

• Criminal justice
• Environmental law
• Prisoners’ rights
• Disability law
• Court reform
• Access to justice
• Housing law
• Immigration law
• Tax law
• International human rights
• Women's rights
• HIV/AIDS

...and included activities such as:

• Drafting and coordinating legislation
• Developing policy strategy and materials
• Media advocacy
• Strategic planning
• Community organizing and surveying
• Regulatory advocacy with government officials, experts, and community members

Visit our projects index for more information on past projects.