Community Law Clinic: Clinical Methods

Catalog description

Located off-campus at a site accessible to low-income members of the communities adjacent to Stanford, the Community Law Clinic is the closest thing to a traditional legal services office within the Mills Legal Clinic. CLC is fundamentally a trial practice clinic, practicing in three distinct, but intertwined subject areas: (1) housing, (2) social security disability and public benefits, and (3) post-conviction relief. In addition to its off-campus location, hallmarks of the CLC practice include extensive client contact, civil litigation skills (motion practice, oral advocacy, fact investigation), and the fast pace that comes from being responsible for several matters at once. Each student represents clients in all three practice areas, allowing for a diverse experience with clients, opponents, and other system-actors. Students may also participate in larger policy and legislative efforts in the relevant subject matters. CLC work emphasizes students' embodying the role of a lawyer (as opposed to a policymaker, judge, or intern) and the development of communication, collaboration, time management, cultural humility and other skills necessary for any professional setting. After intensive training in weeks 1 and 2, the clinic curriculum includes two group seminar sessions per week and a once/week student-led case rounds session. CLC's off-campus location affords students the chance to explore local neighborhoods and the opportunity to form a close-knit and collaborative learning environment. Special Instructions: General Structure of Clinical Courses -- The Law School's clinical courses are offered on a full-time basis for 12 units. This allows students to immerse themselves in the professional experience without the need to balance clinical projects with other classes, exams and papers. Students enrolled in a clinic are not permitted to enroll in any other classes,…