LAW 708: Human Rights at Home Clinic - fall

30 units completed; Pre or Co-requisites: LAW 525 or having passed the MPRE with a minimum score of 85. Students who have taken LAW 576 evidence or LAW 620 trial practice may qualify for student practice licensing under MA Rule 3:03.

The clinic is a one semester experience. Students will serve the needs of local residents and beyond. Clinic work will be varied, permitting the flexibility to address a range of community concerns. Examples of possible projects are serving domestic violence survivors, those who are incarcerated, those with criminal records, transgender individuals seeking name changes, and others whose fundamental needs are unmet. In addition, students may address research and policy needs as they arise. Each semester¿s projects will beannounced at the beginning of registration. There will be a 110-minute weekly class. Individual supervision and additional individual and group instruction are part of the clinic. Depending upon availability, students may repeat the experience as advanced clinic students at the invitation of the professor. Some of the classes may be condensed into a pre-semester boot camp experience. In addition, this course affords students an opportunity for the development of a professional identity. Professional identity focuses on what it means to be a lawyer, and the special obligations lawyers have to their clients and society. The development of professional identity involves an intentional exploration of the values, guiding principles, and well-being practices considered foundational to successful legal practice.