Charleston Law clinics impacting local community
Charleston School of Law clinics provide experiential learning opportunities to students interested in developing practical skills in preparation for a career in the legal industry. Those skill sets include professional judgement, problem-solving skills, legal ethics, social justice, and collaboration. Below is a recap of the impact our students are making in the local community.
Family Law Clinic
Program Description: Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services provides free civil legal services to low-income residents of Charleston County. Family law issues such as divorce, custody and visitation, child support, and spousal support. In partnership, Charleston School of Law students assist low-income families with their legal needs. The program includes participation in client intake including eligibility determination and fact gathering, preparation of pleadings, affidavits, and other legal documents, and client follow-up to guide the client through their legal process.
Fall 2023 Recap: Charleston School of Law students who participated in the Family Law Clinic were introduced to the foundational aspects of family law and receiving hands-on experience in the basic elements of the entire lifecycle of a case. Charleston Law students had the opportunity to actively represent a client during an uncontested final hearing. “Engaging in client interactions, mastering the nuances of document preparation, and navigating the intricacies of courtroom procedures allowed for a holistic understanding of the legal process,” said Audrey R. Brown, staff attorney at Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services
Housing Clinic
Program Description: Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services (“CPBLS”) provides free civil legal services to low-income residents of Charleston County. Housing issues and eviction prevention are legal issues addressed by CPBLS attorneys. Charleston Law students assist low-income families with their housing-related legal needs. The program includes outreach in low-income communities; client intake including eligibility determination and fact gathering to support our in-house and volunteer attorneys by assisting in the preparation of pleadings, affidavits, and other legal documents.
Fall 2023 Recap: Students utilized the South Carolina Student Practice Rule to represent tenants in eviction hearings in Charleston County. Four Housing Clinic students — Rachel Castell, Hannah Kituku, Vanessa Reyes, and Elizabeth Sutton — attended participating Magistrate Courts every week to represent low-income residents of Charleston County during their eviction proceedings. “South Carolina had also recently ranked last on the “Attorney Access” index … and recently led the country in eviction rates with North Charleston being the epicenter of the issue,” noted Cody Tettemer (’19), staff attorney at Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services. “With increasing rents, eviction filings, and limited access to civil legal aid, Charleston School of Law students are helping bridge a crucial gap in access to housing justice in the same community fostering their legal education.”
Street Law Clinic
Program Description: Law students teach a weekly class at a Title I School (schools with a high number or high percentage of children who live in low-income families). After receiving training in law-related education, the Charleston Law students will construct learner-centered lessons in law, designed to develop the critical thinking and cognitive skills of high school students. The curriculum focuses on developing an understanding of the law, the legal process, and the United States system of government.
Fall 2023 Recap: The Street Law clinicians led classes at North Charleston and Burke High School, both Title I schools. The clinicians involved the high school students in debates, quizzes, and writing exercises to build their critical thinking, cognitive, and communication skills. The Street Law students explored Criminal Law and the requirements from the prosecutions and defense’s perspectives; prepared for and participated in a Mock Trial – a criminal case; and, explored the importance of equality and fairness in our country and ensuring diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our lives.
Domestic Violence Clinic
Program Description: South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) is a statewide non-profit law firm that provides free legal services to residents and families in South Carolina that are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The SCLS Domestic Violence Clinic focuses on the skills necessary for client representation, the ethical issues that arise in cases, and the roles of attorney and counselor. Charleston School of Law students undertake all steps necessary to prepare for court hearings including interviewing clients; prepare direct and cross examination; make strategic decisions; and draft documents.
Fall 2023 Recap: Charleston School of Law students were given the opportunity to assist more than 25 victims of crime with civil legal problems. The highlights included helping a biological father regain custody of his child, providing school access to a child who recently lost his mother, and assisting a mother and her children initiate court proceedings to protect her and the children from further abuse. “Students experienced and assisted in every aspect of client representation from initial client interviews to family court hearings,” added S.C. Legal Services staff attorney Stephanie van der Horst (’13). “Students also gained firsthand knowledge of the challenges that accompany representing individuals living in poverty.”