Consumer Rights Field Clinic

Catalog description

Students externs work on consumer rights projects at selected legal services offices with advocates who are at the forefront of city- and state-wide consumer protection reform. Students assist in protecting the rights of low-income consumers against improper practices by the burgeoning third-party debt collection industry. These abusive practices have resulted in hundreds of thousands of consumers having bank accounts levied and wages garnished with no knowledge they were ever sued. Students staff consumer rights hotlines, conducting intake and providing brief advice; represent consumer clients in Civil Court; engage in community education efforts; draft research memos and pleadings; and possibly assist in affirmative litigation and support legislative advocacy. Corequisite(s): LAW 7768 .