University of Texas School of Law - Peregrinus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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m diation The Mediation Clinic provides students the opportunity to mediate pending cases in the Justice of the Peace courts in Travis and surrounding counties. Through this course, the students gain practical experience in the mediation process. The clinic enables the students to continue developing and refining the skills necessarj for mediation, and problem solving generally. Immigration Law Students in this clinic represent low income immigrants before the immigration courts and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), including bond and deportation hearings, asylum. Violence Against Women ' s Act ( VAWA) and applications for discretionary relief. Students interview clients, develop case strategy, locate and prepare witnesses and present cases bef ore the court and the agency. The law is not without its frustrations, but it has its rewards. David Wells remarked, Immigration has to be the most compli- cated, contorted, behemothic body of law in this country. If you want to help people who are stuck in a system that can be con- fusing and at times downright unjust, this is the place to do it. the help of computers. Capital Punishment This clinic provides students with the opportunity to assist in the representation of indigent criminal defendants charged with or convicted of capital offenses. Students work under the supervision of attorneys on death penalty cases at the trial, appellate, and post conviction stages of the legal process. Students perform various tasks including visiting clients on death row; interviewing witnesses and conducting field investigations; drafting motions, appellate briefs, and habeas petitions; and assisting attorneys in the preparation for trials, evidentiary hearings, and appellate arguments. I Si I I Inn

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The Criminal Defense Clinic is the Law School ' s oldest clinical program, having operated continuously since 1474. Clinic students, supervised by skilled practitioners, represent indigent misdemeanor defendants in Travis County. Typical offenses include DW1, theft, drug possession, assault, and prostitution. Criminal The tlllee Supervising Attorneys are board-certified specialists in crinmal law and experienced practitioners and teachers. Students interview clients and DClCnSC witnesses, obtain discovery from the State, litigate pretrial issues, negotiate with prosecutors, and try cases to judges and juries. For appeals, students review trial transcripts, write briefs, and present oral arguments. Over the years, the collaboration between Clinic students and supervisors has produced impressive results, including a victory in the United States Supreme Court. Juvenile Justice This program offers litigation experience while exposing students to the operations of the juvenile justice system, by placing them as student attorneys with the Travis County Juvenile Public Defender. Clients are indigent juveniles, aged 10 to 17. who are charged with criminal offenses ranging from Class B misdemeanors to first degree felonies. Student attorneys are assigned a caseload for which they have primary reponsibility under the supervision of an attorney in the public defender ' s office. The student attorneys perform all investigation, interview, discovery, plea bargain, and litigation functions on their cases. The Juvenile Justice Clinic provides a meaningful opportunity for students to learn juvenile law. interact with clients, advocate for your client in court proceedings, and participate in educating children about the law. Speaking of her experience in the clinic, Kristi Baldwin says, The Juvenile Justice Clinic has provided me with a unique opportunity to enhance my advocacy skills while working on the behalf of children, many of whom are in great need of guidance in their lives. The clinic has heightened my awareness for the need of effective counsel in the cases of children who need a strong advocate on their behalf -- someone to listen to them, to speak up for them, and to stand with them as they face the consequences of their actions. I ' ve truly enjoyed working with my young clients and aiding them through the criminal justice system in the unique role of attorney and counselor. Being part of the juvenile justice clinic has been a truly wonderful experience, and I will count it among my great- est memories and achievements in law school. School Clinics — am

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Children ' s Rights Under the supervision of an attorney, clinic students represent children as attorneys ad litem. Appointment of an attorney ad litem is mandatory in any case in which the state seeks custody or termination of parental rights based on allegations of child abuse or neglect. Students regularly participate in mediation or final trials. In addition, in representing the clients, students meet with a wide variety of persons, including medical and mental health professionals, teachers. foster parents, social workers, attorneys, CASAs and guardian ad litems, and police. Mental Health LEU ' Su .in Keen reviews a e.ise with a client ,il Hie Austin Sl.ile Hospital She helps the patient understand vsh.it the courts can do i i her, and whal is expected o) the patient in order for her to receive that help Students enrolled in this clinic represent persons facing commitment to a mental hospital. There are exercises concerning examination of witnesses, oral argument, brief writing, and other aspects of litigation. Students also observe court porceedings at the state hospital. They view videotapes concerning psychiatric diagnosis, and represent clients at probable cause and commitment hearings. Thinking back on her clinic experience. Suzan Kern reveals, The Mental Health Clinic has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I ' ve been priviledged to represent and get to know 8 remarkable people who are struggling with courage and dignity against severe brain disorders and the devastating effects those illnesses can have on their lives. I ' ve learned that hospitals and courts often fail to give my clients what they need to get better, but each one of them was thankful to have an advocate during the frightening process of involuntary commitment. As one of my clients said, ' Somebody finally stood up for me! ' The clinics are not just tremendous teaching tools. They ' re an important community service and one of the most meaningful things the Law School does. I can ' t imagine going through 3 years of law school without joining at least one clinic. Housing Law Participants in the Housing Law Clinic represent low income families on their housing-related legal problems. The primary focus of the work is helping clients ( 1 ) avoid homelessness and (2) access affordable housing. Thus, a good deal of the work requires representation of clients in threatened evictions and in denials of public housing, subsidized housing and Section 8 housing, but, the work can require repre- sentation in all aspects of landlord-tenant law. Students are responsible for interviewing clients, investigating their cases, research- ing legal issues, negotiation with opposing parties, drafting pleadings and discovery in eviction cases, and representing clients at administrative hearings and in court. School Clinics