William & Mary Law School Launches Community Law Clinic
This fall, William & Mary Law School is launching a new clinic to provide free legal services to underserved populations while offering students hands-on experience in public interest law.
Under the direction of Tyler Dougherty, the Community Law Clinic began training students at the start of the school year on August 18.
Dougherty said that the goal is to establish a clinic that is “responsive to the individual civil legal needs of residents on the Virginia Peninsula and creative in supporting organized communities seeking long-term solutions to community-identified problems.”
The launch of the clinic has been made possible through a generous $750,000 gift from Amy ‘95 and Nevin Kreisler and $500,000 in state appropriations from the Virginia General Assembly. This significant funding underscores a shared commitment to expanding access to justice and empowering law students to serve people without access to legal representation.
Law students, working under Dougherty’s supervision, will help community members assert their rights and stabilize their lives by representing clients in housing, public benefits, and family law matters. Through their representation of clients, students will hone critical litigation and lawyering skills.
Dougherty will also encourage students to “get out into the Hampton Roads community where they can flex their ‘citizen lawyer’ muscles.” Students will take direction from local organizations to develop community legal education materials that are responsive to local needs.
Student interest in the clinic is strong, and the first class is fully subscribed. There is even a wait list.
“The addition of the Community Law Clinic is a significant milestone for our Clinical Program,” said Stacy Kern-Scheerer, Clinical Professor of Law and Director of Clinical Programs. “In the Clinics, we embrace the mission of excellence in both clinical pedagogy and representation in critical areas of need. The CLC will make a meaningful impact in expanding the experiential learning opportunities for our students and access to representation for underserved communities
Dougherty explained that students who take part in this fall’s inaugural semester will influence the clinic’s future direction.
“While we will focus on honing essential legal skills—such as client interviewing, counseling, negotiation and courtroom advocacy—we will also emphasize how to be effective collaborators with local organizations,” Dougherty said.
“I’m excited for the work ahead and look forward to building with each of our students,” she added.