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Community Legal Clinic

Through the Community Legal Clinic, third-year students have the opportunity to sharpen and develop skills while representing clients under the Indiana Student Practice Rule. In this professional setting, students are introduced to client interviewing and counseling, fact investigation, drafting, negotiating, trial techniques, and preparing for and conducting trials and administrative hearings.

What is the Community Legal Clinic?

The Community Legal Clinic functions as a law firm comprised of second- and third-year law students who provide legal representation to clients under the supervision of a licensed supervising attorney. The clinic focuses on family law cases including divorce, establishment of paternity, guardianship, adoption, parenting, and custody. The clinic's clients are local residents, and many-if not all-clients have limited incomes that prevent private legal counsel.

What will I learn?

"It's one thing to read casebooks, but it's another thing to deal with a problem personally. A lot will ride on your advice," says Professor Earl Singleton, clinic director. In a small class setting, you'll learn how to practice the fundamental skills developed in the first years of law school and gain confidence in one-on-one client meetings and in the court room. Students conduct client interviewing and counseling, fact investigation, drafting, negotiating, trial techniques, and preparations for trials and administrative hearings.

As with any hearty commitment, both rewards and challenges play roles in this clinic. Students often develop a strong emotional connection with clients or experience challenges with strong personalities. In addition, students experience the weight of court decisions and their impact on clients in real-life circumstances. "It can be fun learning to be a lawyer. You'll be exposed to situations that will break your heart or just crack you up," Singleton says. "But there is nothing better than achieving justice for those who have been denied it in some way."

What is the time commitment?

This time-intensive opportunity requires at least 15 hours each week. Each student is assigned a case. Professor Singleton offers guidance through the process, but students provide the casework necessary for court proceedings. Students meet weekly with clients and Singleton. The atmosphere in the Lewis Building is informal, but the expectations are high.

In addition, a seminar class of 10 to 12 students meets in the evening for about two hours. This time is used to talk through problems, procedures, and required reading. Preparation for one-on-one interaction with clientele often involves role playing with possible client personalities and practice in conducting depositions.

Clinical faculty:

Earl Singleton, Community Legal Clinic director

I want to be a part of this...

Here's what you need to know about participating in the Community Legal Clinic (B688):

• Students must have completed 43 hours toward graduation and have completed or be enrolled in the Legal Professions course.

• In advance of registration, students should contact Professor Earl Singleton, clinic director, for permission to enter the class. Professor Singleton wants "students who are not afraid of a challenge. They must be organized with robust work ethics. Public speaking is a core element of the course, so articulate oral skills are necessary. You've got to be willing to prepare."

• Class size is limited. Students may enroll for three credit hours per semester, with a maximum of six credit hours for this clinic.