The Legal Clinic functions much as a real law firm does. Third-year students, through the Advocacy Clinic course, work with faculty members on several different types of cases, including criminal, housing, social security and unemployment matters. The entire firm meets weekly to decide which cases to accept for representation and to discuss tactics and strategy. Students develop skills in fact investigation, negotiation with other attorneys, case development, interviewing witnesses, use of expert witnesses, drafting and arguing motions, and presentation of evidence. Students begin to develop professional judgment and the skills necessary for effective client representation.
All cases handled by students are real cases with real consequences.