The goal of this course is to provide students with the lawyering skills, substantive legal knowledge, and training in non-legal areas to prepare them to be attorneys for children and other vulnerable populations. The course consists of a seminar and a supervised practicum, both of which will be held at Legal Services for Children (LSC). Although the work will focus on lawyering for children and youth, the skills and non-legal trainings will be relevant for any student with an interest in pursuing a career in public interest. The weekly seminar will be led by Exec. Director Trillin, who has been representing children since 1995. Topics include discussion of specific cases, substantive legal training in education, foster care, guardianship and immigration, and additional training in non-legal topics relevant to attorneys working with children and other vulnerable populations, focused on advocacy for clients who have been impacted by trauma. The practicum component will include participation in LSC's warmline (a free and confidential help line), school expulsion hearings, guardianship proceedings, and immigration matters. Students will also assist on LSC policy/advocacy projects. Students will improve their skills in interviewing, issue spotting, case presentation and trial techniques, as well as gain familiarity with administrative hearings, state court hearings, federal immigration proceedings and policy work.
Units: 5 - 8