Family Law Clinic
The Family Law Clinic (“FLC”) is an in-house clinic that provides free legal services to individuals needing assistance in a variety of family law matters. FLC’s student attorneys assist, advise, and/or represent client(s) in matters such as annulments, divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, property division, name changes, and modifications. The work includes interviewing, fact investigation, legal research, discovery, negotiation, preparation of testifying witnesses, and uncontested trials. Students work under the supervision of the supervising attorney, but assume primary responsibility for their assigned cases, including court appearances.
Unfortunately, the FLC is unable to provide every person who is in need of assistance with legal representation. Thus, once a week, the FLC will provide short legal consultation, assistance, and document review as well as a general family “Question and Answer” session.
Prerequisite: Civil Procedure, Evidence, and two-thirds (60 hours) of course work towards TMSL graduation. A prior course in family law is preferred, but not required.
Student Attorney Responsibilities
- Provide individual representation of clients in selected cases.
- Draft pleadings and correspondence.
- Conduct factual investigations.
- Observe court trials and/or hearings.
- Assist unrepresented family law litigants and non-litigants with reviewing various documents and understanding the court process.
Course Information
- Students earn 4 credit hours for the
- Practicum and 2 credit hours for the Trial Practice course.
- Students must enroll in the Civil Trial Practice course – the class component (2 credit hours).
- Second semester 2Ls and all 3Ls are eligible to apply.
- At the beginning, the weekly class will be “front loaded” to teach students both substance and procedure so as to hasten their start date to represent clients in court.
Time Commitments
- Fall and Spring semester(s): 15-20 hours a week.
- Students' time must be flexible to attend trials, especially Mondays (3-hour time block needed).
- Students must complete 240 clinic hours during the semester.
To Apply
- Complete this application. Submit an unofficial copy of your transcript, writing sample, statement of interest to Marilyn Epps in Room 100.
Complete application for bar card ($15.00 fee) once accepted in the program. Applications and money order must be submitted in timely matter. If not, your ability to practice before the bench will be placed in jeopardy. No bar card, no court representation of a client.
NO EXCEPTIONS
- Your application must be submitted to the Clinic’s Administrative Assistant in Rm. 100 or the Supervising Attorney.
- For more information contact Thelma L. Harmon, Assistant Professor thharmon@tmslaw.tsu.edu
