Training Leaders to Confront the Issues of Our Time

Civil Clinic

Available to: 2nd and 3rd year students

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. 

  • Fall 2012: Offered Mondays and Tuesdays 3:50-5:15 pm with Professor John Pearce.
  • Spring 2013: Offered Mondays and Tuesdays 10:45 am-12:10 pm, taught by Professor Benjamin Cook
  • Summer 2013:  Times TBD
  • 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:

  • American Civil Liberties Union—Law reform agency working for individual rights through litigation, lobbying, and community education.
  • Crossroads  Urban Center—Research and advocacy on poverty law issues
  • Disability Law Center—Address legal problems arising from a client’s disability.
  • Guardian ad Litem—Represent children in Juvenile Court: abuse, neglect, parental termination cases & District Court: cohabitant abuse, divorce where abuse is alleged. Placements available at Salt Lake, Layton, and West Jordan offices.
  • 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 helpful.
  • Immigration Court Clinic—Assist to screen immigrants brought before the Court and counsel regarding possible defenses/voluntary departure.  Assist with pro bono cases.
  • Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake City—Family law: Includes divorce, custody, and domestic violence.
  • 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.
  • Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office—Assist in civil cases for the city for students interested in government practice. (summer)
  • St. Vincent Outreach with Jay Kessler—Homeless clients get brief advice and pro bono representation.
  • Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic—Victims’ rights in criminal cases.
  • Utah Legal Services—General poverty law: landlord-tenant, public benefits, consumer, elderly & wills, family.

Typically a student specializes in only one area of law during any one semester.

**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 Ben Cook

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.

Go to http://www.law.utah.edu/clinic/clinic-list/civil/ for links to offices that serve as our placements partners.  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     Fall: Mon. & Tues. 3:50-5:15 pm taught by Prof. John Pearce

                                                                            Spring:  Mon. & Tues. 10:45 – 12:10 pm taught by Prof. Ben Cook

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 and Forms: