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

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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

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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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From runners. RICH I [Tielawprofes going to the dogs? No, this student is iust trying to outrun her Beagle during the Race Judicada. The 5K Run Walk was organized h the Icx.iv I aw Fellowships. RIGHT. BELOW: After the race, runners filled out cards detailing their age category and time, [ his was then used to find each age category ' s winner and the male and Female over-all winners. Photos by Daniel Lope. To golfers... ABOVE: Mike Golden and Barry McFadden trying to learn how to drive — Photo Courtesy of Maura Brady RIGHT: Josh Van Hoven tees off during the Law Week golf tournament. - Photo by Brendan Moloney