Introduction

The Civil Rights Clinic provides students with the opportunity to work on a wide range of civil rights and social justice matters through direct client representation, court advocacy, and the development of advocacy campaigns. Students participating in the Civil Rights Clinic will develop foundational skills necessary to be strategic and creative social justice advocates.

Through the Clinic, students join a community of advocates working to promote and protect civil rights and challenging economic, social, health, political inequality, poverty, and racial injustice issues.

Course Description

The Civil Rights Clinic provides students with the opportunity to develop the foundational skills needed to be a civil rights advocate through direct involvement in investigations, litigation, appellate advocacy, and public advocacy campaigns. They are working under the direct supervision of Professor Brian Figeroux, who will introduce students to civil rights advocacy in a variety of contexts and forums. Students will be working on behalf of indigent, institutional, or pro bono clients on a range of civil rights matters, including employment discrimination, educational equity, voting rights, and criminal justice reform. Specifically, students participating in the Clinic may have the opportunity to:

•Work with clients and communities to challenge discrimination;
•Develop interpersonal skills through client interviewing and counseling as well as through co-counseling and partnering with leading civil rights organizations;
•Gain experience in litigation planning, including fact investigation and development of case theory;
•Develop oral advocacy skills;
•Hone research and written advocacy skills through drafting briefs and litigation-related documents; and
•Negotiate settlements.

Application Procedure

Students interested in taking the Clinic should submit the standard application, resume, and transcript online. There will be an interview which will be scheduled by the program. If you have questions about the Clinic, please contact Professor Brian Figeroux via email.