Course Descriptions
LEGAL AID CLINIC COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Note: All of the following courses may not be offered each semester. Check the current registration information.
LEGAL AID I AND ETHICS (Law 75721): Legal Aid I and Ethics is a 5-credit, graded
course providing training in basic lawyering skills, including interviewing and counseling, as
well as ethics, substantive law and procedural law relevant to the representation of low income
clients in the courts and administrative agencies. Students represent clients under the close
supervision of a clinical faculty member. Students typically represent 3-5 clients during the
course of a semester. The case types vary somewhat among the sections, as described below.
The classroom component of the course uses a combined lecture and mock exercise format.
Students are typically required to participate in at least one community education presentation.
This course satisfies the upper level ethics requirement. (M, W 3:00-5:00)
LEGAL AID I AND ETHICS: LANDLORD-TENANT/SOCIAL SECURITY
DISABILITY (Law 75721, Sec. 01, JONES). Students in this section may handle
landlord-tenant cases, Social Security disability cases, or other poverty law matters.
Many cases handled in this section can be completed in the course of a semester,
allowing students an opportunity to see a matter through from beginning to end.
LEGAL AID I AND ETHICS: CONSUMER LAW (75721, Sec. 02, FOX): This
section focuses on consumer protection issues. The particular substantive law issues vary
by semester, depending on client needs. Cases involve the Fair Debt Collection Practices
Act, common law fraud, and Indiana’s small loan statute, among other issues. Students
often engage in discovery activities and can expect to draft and answer interrogatories,
conduct and defend depositions, and participate in settlement efforts. Court appearances
tend to be motion hearings, with an occasional trial.
LEGAL AID I AND ETHICS: MENTAL HEALTH LAW (Law 75721, Sec. 03,
JENUWINE): This section trains students to advocate on behalf of individuals with
mental illnesses and disabilities. Students will participate in cases involving clients who
are mental health consumers and clients with disabilities. Case types may include civil
court proceedings such as guardianships, criminal hearings involving mentally ill or
mentally retarded defendants, and administrative proceedings involving denial of benefits
such as Social Security disability, Medicaid, or Vocational Rehabilitation.
LEGAL AID I AND ETHICS: IMMIGRATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS (Law
75721, Sec. 04, CARR): This section focuses on protecting the human rights of all noncitizens,
regardless of immigration status. Casework may include representing asylum4
seekers, victims of human trafficking, battered immigrants, or immigrant victims of
various crimes. Court appearances will only occur in certain cases.
LEGAL AID II (Law 75723, JONES, FOX, JENUWINE, CARR): Legal Aid II is a 3-credit,
graded course open to students who have satisfactorily completed Legal Aid I and Ethics. Legal
Aid II allows students to progress to more advanced lawyering skills. Enrollment is by
permission of the instructor. (Time TBA).
POVERTY LAW TOPICS: THE PLANNING AND DRAFTING OF WILLS AND TRUSTS (LAW 73727, SHAFFER) is a two credit clinical seminar that will focus on topicsincluding estate planning for young and middle-aged clients, parents of minor children, life
insurance, and planning for disability. Each student will be expected to represent at least two
clients in such estate planning matters. (F 10:00-12:00)
