Community Justice & Legal Assistance Clinic
Interdisciplinary Community Work

The student attorneys have several key roles at their partnership sites: As team members, they identify and address legal issues that arise in the therapeutic or case-management meetings they participate in.

When it appears there is a need for individualized legal services, student attorneys conduct client intakes and provide direct legal services to select clients. These services range from short consultations to full-scale representation in judicial proceedings.

In addition, working with other professionals and community members, students engage in an assessment of needs and in creative problem-solving strategies to address those needs. Clinic participants share their legal expertise to help identify systemic issues and possible solutions.

Through their participation in community partnership activities, student attorneys serve as liaisons between legal institutions and the community, and engage in collaborative approaches to change. To achieve shared goals, CJLA collaborates with social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, outreach workers, faith ministers, education specialists, and corrections officials. Students may also work with residents groups and non-profit organizations. Much of this work takes place at community-based sites.