Family Law Clinic

Students work in the Williamsburg office of the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia under the supervision of an attorney, providing legal services to low income clients in a variety of civil matters, including domestic relations, consumer law, debt collection defense, landlord-tenant law, public benefits, and other issues.  The legal work done by the students provides the basis for an exploration of the profession and court system and includes client interviewing, research and investigation, drafting of correspondence and pleadings, and representation in court and before other tribunals.  Third-year practice required. 

Quotations from Family Law Clinic students from Spring and Fall 2011 semesters:

“This Clinic was very important.  I will use what I learned in it for many years in the future.”

“This is hands down the best experience I have had in law school.”

“The best thing about the course was the variety of assignments that I got to work on.  I was able to work on cases ranging from divorce to unemployment benefits to landlord/tenant.  Each case required different client interactions and written work products.”

“I learned time management skills, client interaction skills, and improved upon my own research skills.”

“I would highly recommend this Clinic for students looking for work on a variety of different legal topics; it was a great learning experience.”

“It’s a great experience; everyone should take it.  I wish I could take it again.”

“The best part of the Clinic was getting to work with and for actual clients with complex problems.”

“It’s great to feel you’re in charge of a case. . . I learned client interview skills, how to write letters to clients, basic client interaction skills.”

“Employers really like people who have Clinic experience.”

“Representing a wealth of clients with various legal problems and actually going to court was an amazing opportunity.

“The experience has been an incredibly important aspect in my legal education."