Practicum: Public Interest Law

4 Credit Hours

This course examines the work of lawyers representing low-income clients in civil cases and engaging in other civil public interest legal work through experiential and in-class learning. The course will explore practical and ethical issues faced by public interest lawyers and the challenges of enforcing legal rights of low-income clients. In addition to the weekly seminar, students spend 12 hours per week in an approved externship with a non-profit public interest organization doing civil legal work. Students work under the supervision of attorneys in these offices and conduct research, write briefs and memoranda, interview clients and witnesses, participate in community education efforts, and assist attorneys in trial preparation and trial. Students secure their own placement in consultation with the faculty member.