Law Students

Registration is now closed for clinical opportunities for Summer 2013, Fall 2013 and Spring 2014. Legal Services Clinic selection announcements were sent to perspective law students Friday, April 5. Deadline for acceptance of clinic placement is 4pm, Monday, April 8. Acceptance documents must be submitted in person to the Interprofessional Center, Minneapolis Opus Hall 101.

About the Legal Services Clinic

The IPC’s Legal Services Clinic currently offers legal representation in five practice areas: community justice, elder law, immigration law, bankruptcy law, and federal commutation. Students from the University of St. Thomas School of Law provide supervised legal representation and advocacy on behalf of our clients. We collaborate with social work and psychology professionals in the center, taking where possible a holistic approach to clients’ often multifaceted challenges

What would I do in the clinic?

Through live client representation and law reform work, you might engage in the following activities:

legal research and writing on real cases
fact investigation
problem solving
case planning
resolution of legal ethical issues
trial preparation
appearances in court
negotiation of settlements
counseling clients on transactions
collaboration with other law, social work and psychology students

What are the practice areas of the clinic and who are the clients?

For more information on our practice areas click the links below:

Collaboration with Other Professionals

You will learn alongside your colleagues-in-training in social work and psychology. From navigating occasionally conflicting codes of professional conduct to providing complimentary services to clients, students at the center learn how other professions work to further the interests of their clients.

Social work case managers often provide much-needed emotional support to clients embroiled in difficult legal issues, as well as assisting them in resolving nonlegal matters. Graduate psychology students have provided psychological evaluations and testified in court.

Learning in Action

Learning and practice occur in a variety of settings. You would attend clinic classes ranging in size from six to 40 students. Classes often include a mix of law, social work and psychology students. You may also meet in legal practice groups and in case team meetings to discuss client work. And you would meet with clients, either at our state-of-the-art facilities or off site, visiting nursing homes, community organizations or detention facilities. In preparing cases, you might contact human rights experts halfway around the world or track down witnesses across town.

You would also address the stress of working with clients who are facing significant life crises. In classes, case teams and one-on-one discussions, students are encouraged to reflect on the challenges of maintaining a dynamic equilibrium between the demands of work and home life. We take seriously how students’ core values and beliefs, including their faith traditions, play into maintaining this dynamic.

When can I join the clinic?

The clinic is open to second- and third-year law students. Approximately 50 positions are available each year for first-time clinical students, and five to 10 positions are available for advanced clinic each year. While the application process is a competitive one, a student can apply the following year if their first attempt is unsuccessful.

How many credits will I earn in clinic?

First-time students receive six credit hours in semester-long offerings. Advanced level students receive two or three credits per semester.

How can I apply?

Only students preparing to enter their second or third year of law school may apply to participate in the Legal Services Clinic. Applications for both semesters of the upcoming year are available in February. All potential applicants are e-mailed information about the process or are asked to check on the Interprofessional Center website for more information. Information sessions are also scheduled for students with questions. If you are an interested UST Law student, you may call 651-962-4960 for more information.