Urban Development Practicum

Catalog description

Elective Course Enrollment Limit: 16 3 Classroom credits, 3 Non-classroom credits Satisfies Experiential Learning requirement The Urban Development Clinic provides a broad range of legal services associated with the real estate development occurring in several of the distressed communities in Greater Pittsburgh. Services provided by student attorneys include general real estate matters, title searches, negotiation and drafting of development agreements, preparation of land use cases, zoning issues, mortgage foreclosure matters, appellate land use practice, and attending and participating in public meetings and hearings. Following completion of the equivalent of 3 full-time semesters of law study, students can be certified to practice before administrative agencies and state trial courts pursuant to the Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rules. While providing pro bono legal assistance to neighborhood and regional urban renewal organizations, student lawyers will be acquiring and sharpening the fundamental lawyering skills that will help them meet the demands of both society and the profession. Each student is required to attend class for approximately 2 hours each week with an additional 8-10 hours of work each week with clients.