Student Experience and Client Stories

The Student Experience

• “It’s hard for me to sum up what the Georgetown Domestic Violence Clinic has done for me. It was an opportunity to be in a one-on-one, intense learning environment with experienced litigators. I feel like my entire legal education happened in that one semester. But more than that, the Clinic gave me my only real insight into what it is really like to be an attorney dealing with real clients who have real problems. Whether you want to help victims of domestic violence or escape the boredom of classes or just get the best legal education that you can imagine, the Georgetown Domestic Violence Clinic is a semester well spent.” – Juley F.
• “I had my first full out hearing/trial today. Opening. Two witnesses (client and client’s mother). Cross of Respondent and his witness. Closing.… THERE IS NO WAY I COULD HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT THE PREPARATION I GOT FROM CLINIC. I really want to thank you, not only for sharing your knowledge, but specifically for your continued encouragement and support, even when I have doubted myself. My client got a 1-year permanent injunction today and, maybe without even knowing it, you were a big part of getting this protection to her.” – Post-graduation email from former DVC student Maria S.
• “The Domestic Violence Clinic taught me to navigate the intricacies of the legal system, and to adopt a compassionate approach to address the immediate, non-legal needs of our clients. For instance, during a crisis, my partner and I made multiple trips to the local Family Resource Center, sparing our client a burdensome and long journey and wait with her children. We successfully secured her temporary emergency housing, a form of extra-legal advocacy that played a pivotal role in building trust with our client. This work gave me a profound sense of connection – both as a student attorney and as a compassionate human being committed to helping others rebuild their lives. Undoubtedly, this experience remains the pinnacle of my law school journey, reinforcing the notion that being a lawyer broadly includes being a supportive force for those in need.” – Kevin J.
• “As many law students and lawyers know, it is rare for law students to have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the field of litigation and gain valuable experience representing clients prior to graduating law school. Given this reality, I applied to the Domestic Violence Clinic hoping to achieve just this. Yet, what I didn’t realize was how much I would learn in addition to the practical skills needed to be a litigator. I learned not only how to draft petitions and construct a closing argument, but also about the power of empathy, the value of being able to connect on a human level with one’s client, and the unique ability lawyers have to utilize the justice system in a manner that can provide an important means of relief for their clients. Ultimately, participating in the Domestic Violence Clinic has been a transformative experience and will certainly continue to impact and shape the kind of lawyer I hope to be long after I have graduated from Georgetown Law.” – Alexandra D.
• “The Domestic Violence Clinic (DVC) experience is the most valuable experience during my law school. I would especially encourage international students like me to apply for it. DVC provides unique opportunities for international students to have a deeper and better understanding of the American society and culture through intensive client communication and advocacy. In addition, you will meet the nicest professors, teaching fellows, and classmates in DVC.” – Junqi Z.
• “Working with Georgetown’s Domestic Violence Clinic gave rise to the most meaningful semester I’ve had at law school. Not only does it provide a much-needed service to the DC community, but it also bridges the gap between doctrinal teachings in lecture courses and the practice of law. Having gone through two trials this semester, I was exposed to trial practice and litigation in a way that could not have been simulated in a standard class. The DV Clinic philosophy promoted taking ownership over one’s work and pushing students towards a level of competence whereby they could handle their clients on their own. I highly recommend applying for a seat in the Domestic Violence Clinic.” – Christopher H.
• “The Domestic Violence Clinic was the best experience I have had in law school. I learned how to litigate a case from start to finish, how to develop a case theory, collect evidence, prep witnesses, write a direct and cross-examination, and appeared in court numerous times. But perhaps most importantly, I learned how to be a client-centered lawyer. I learned to make every decision putting the client first and my own interests last. I learned how to feel and express empathy and compassion, and to never, ever make assumptions about my client and her life experience and situation. This clinic also afforded me the opportunity to work with incredibly intelligent and fierce professors and fellows, as well as other peers with the same passion to protect domestic violence survivors. I can’t recommend this clinic enough for anyone who has a passion to empower women and learn to be a client-centered lawyer.” – Hunter H.
• “Participating in the Domestic Violence Clinic has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had at Georgetown. *** Within a few weeks of our first day of orientation, my partner and I were working with a client and preparing for a hearing, which involved fact investigation, counseling our client about her case and her safety, and drafting trial documents. *** The clinic gave me an opportunity to start taking steps to transition from being a student to being a lawyer, and in the course of my representation of [my] clients I have become more confident in my ability to make decisions and generate options to achieve the best possible outcomes for real clients. The DV Clinic also provided me with the chance to appear in a courtroom for the first time and to learn about and practice trial advocacy in an environment where I felt supported and extremely prepared. Finally, and most importantly, the DV Clinic gave me a chance to learn about an important issue and to provide representation and empower people who have experienced domestic violence. I highly recommend the DV Clinic to anyone who is looking for a way to transition from the role of student to the role of lawyer and who wants to form relationships with supportive, expert faculty and with other students while doing truly rewarding work.” – Kate D.
• “Participating in the Domestic Violence Clinic was absolutely the highlight of my time in law school. Other law school courses can neglect the development of critical lawyering skills such as how to strategically structure a case and develop meaningful attorney-client relationships. From day one of the clinic, I was challenged to develop these skills and then employ them with real clients, while also receiving personalized feedback from the clinic professors. By the end of the semester, I felt far more confident in my skills as a lawyer and my ability to competently represent a client through very trying circumstances. Plus, I made some great friends along the way!” – Hanson C.