Law 693:  Family Advocacy Clinic

Students in the Family Advocacy Clinic will represent parents and children involved in the juvenile abuse and neglect system under the supervision of an experienced attorney. Students will be responsible for all aspects of the legal representation of their clients including challenging adjudicatory allegations in court, establishing visitation rights for the parents, and developing appropriate plans for reconciliation. Students will learn the substantive and procedural law associated with abuse and neglect proceedings.  In addition, students will be trained and gain experience in skills such as interviewing, counseling, case planning and strategy, fact investigation, negotiating, research, drafting, motion practice, oral advocacy and trial work. This is a five credit, graded course that includes both a clinic and simultaneous seminar. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 225 hours in the course of the semester. Client obligations must be met on a case by case basis; students should have flexibility in their schedules to meet the demands of their cases.

Sequence and Prerequisites: A student must be eligible for certification under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 which requires, among other things, that a student has completed 45 semester hours toward graduation.

Evaluation: This is a five credit, graded course that includes both a clinic and simultaneous seminar.  Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 225 hours in the course of the semester. Grades will be based on completion of tasks and performance in the course.

Course Classification: Experiential