S.J. Quinney College of Law

Celebrating 100 Years of
Legal Education (1913-2013)

Civil Clinic

Available to: 2nd and 3rd year students

Civil Clinic Student Featured in ULaw Today

The Civil Clinic is designed to teach essential skills (interviewing, counseling, problem-analysis, negotiation) for the practice of law.  The class promotes reflection upon individual strengths and preferences in legal work.

Course: Lawyering Skills Survey (3 cr., graded, Fall, Spring & Summer). This course teaches the theory and practice of interviewing and counseling (through readings, demonstrations, role-playing, and videotaped exercises) and introduces the problem-solving strategies of negotiation and advocacy.  The class also serves as a forum for students to reflect upon their live clinic experiences.  Grades are based upon videotaped performances and short reflective writing. Skills Survey should be taken concurrently with the placement or before the placement. 

  • Summer 2013:  Offered May 13-24 from 9:00 am to noon, with three additional meetings on Fridays (June 7, June 28, and July 26) from 12:00 – 1:00 pm.  Recorded exercises (3) will be scheduled in June and July.
  • Fall 2013: Offered Mondays and Tuesdays 5:25 – 6:50 pm with Professor John Pearce.
  • Spring 2014: Offered Mondays and Tuesdays 10:45 am-12:10 pm, with Professor James Holbrook
  • Meets Skills requirement for graduation.

Placements (2 – 5 cr., P/F, Fall, Spring, & Summer): Students will apply and develop lawyering skills in representing their own clients at public interest law offices and with pro bono attorneys.  They interview and advise clients, develop strategies, and negotiate and advocate on their clients’ behalf in administrative & court hearings.  Placements include:

  • Utah Legal Services—General poverty law: landlord-tenant, public benefits, consumer, elderly & wills, family.
  • Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake—Family law: Includes divorce, custody, and domestic violence.
  • Guardian ad Litem—Represent children in Juvenile Court: abuse, neglect, parental termination cases & District Court: cohabitant abuse, divorce where abuse is alleged. Placements available in Salt Lake and West Jordan offices.
  • American Civil Liberties Union—Law reform agency working for individual rights through litigation, lobbying, and community education.
  • Disability Law Center—Address legal problems arising from a client’s disability.
  • Hill Air Force Base Military Clinic—Represent enlisted service people.
  • Holy Cross Ministries—Immigration Law assisting clients to apply for immigration benefits, particularly victims of violent crimes. Spanish required.
  • Immigration Court Clinic—Assist to screen immigrants brought before the Court and counsel regarding possible defenses/voluntary departure.  Assist with pro bono cases.
  • Mentors for Moms with Lokken & Associates—Mentor and assist clients in the child protective system who are faced with losing (or have lost) physical custody of their children.
  • Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic—Victims’ rights in criminal cases.
  • Utah Health Policy Project – Assist with Medicaid policy project and advocacy work with legislators and government agencies.
  • Utah State Law Library- Assist patrons seeking information at the Utah State Law Library located in the Matheson Courthouse.  Main duty: helping pro se litigants.

**Certain of the above placements are also available in conjunction with substantive courses as part of the Victims Clinic, Disability Clinic, & Elder Law Clinic**

Faculty: Professors Linda F. Smith, John Pearce, and James Holbrook

Registration & Placement: Students may enroll in the course online. Students must complete the Clinical Program Application and Placement Preference Form in order to indicate placement preferences and background.  Students will then be enrolled in the clinic.  Typically a student specializes in only one area of law during any one semester.  

Most students are able to intern at their preferred placement.  Students who have previously taken the Lawyering Skills Survey course may enroll in the placement component of the Civil Clinic in a subsequent semester.

LAW 7920-001: Lawyering Skills Survey    Summer 2013:  May 13 – 24 (see details above)
                                                                            Fall:      M & T 5:25 – 6:50 pm
                                                                            Spring:  M & T 10:45 am – 12:10 pm

LAW 7930-001: Civil Clinic                            Every Semester (2 – 5 credits)

Additional work in the Civil Clinic WILL APPLY to the Pro Bono Initiative certificate.

Orientation Materials: