The Civil Rights Clinic is a new clinical offering that will work with local community members and organizations on advocacy and litigation to vindicate their civil rights. The clinic will seek to support local organizations on issues most important to the community and provide opportunities for students to engage in litigation and community advocacy work, including legislative reform efforts, media advocacy, and strategic planning. Specific projects will be determined each semester in conjunction with community partners and student interest, but could include advocacy related to economic, racial, and workplace justice.
The course and fieldwork are designed to expose students to a variety of legal issues and lawyering models. Students will develop a range of advocacy skills, including:
- Interviewing and counseling clients;
- Legal research;
- Developing factual evidence;
- Oral and written communication skills, both in and out of court;
- Community education;
- Media advocacy;
- Legislative advocacy;
- Negotiation and alternative dispute resolution; and
- Collaboration with teammates and other community members.
By providing an opportunity to engage in community-driven advocacy, the Civil Rights Clinic aims to develop creative, adaptive, and thoughtful lawyers who are confident in their ability to take on new issues and challenges in their future careers.