Students are responsible for all aspects of their cases, including initial interviews, investigation, research, preparation of pleadings, motion practice, and trial preparation. Students gain a basic working knowledge of substantive law, court rules and procedures, as well as important advocacy skills. While weekly clinic seminar classes take place at Georgetown, LSIC is an off-campus clinic with special time requirements. Some weeks may not require that many hours while others may require more. On their court days, students interview potential clients, generally tenants facing eviction, and if the case is not one in which representation will occur for one reason or another, students will negotiate with opposing parties, most of whom are represented.
Students often appear in a limited capacity before the judge.
Client intake at the LSIC office offers Georgetown students the opportunity to improve their interviewing skills and to interact with students from the other participating law schools. There is an intensive orientation before fall classes begin to cover the basics of what students need to know to begin work in the clinic. Orientation covers substantive and procedural law, interviewing and counseling, negotiations and conciliation, and motions and trial practice. There is required summer reading. Evening students with flexibility in their day schedules have participated in the clinic during the academic year.