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, letter-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 clients in litigation and transactions. Students represent clients under the close supervision of a clinical faculty member. 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 sometimes required to participate in a community education presentation. Students register for Legal Aid I & Ethics by section, as described below.
Pre- or co-requisite: Professional Responsibility (LAW 70807)
LEGAL AID I AND ETHICS: CONSUMER LAW (75721, Sec. 01, FOX): This section focuses on consumer protection issues. The particular substantive law issues vary by semester, depending on client needs. Cases involve mortgage foreclosures, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, common law fraud, and Indiana’s small loan statute, among other issues. Students often engage in drafting and defending summary judgment motions, discovery activities and can expect to draft and answer interrogatories, conduct and defend depositions, and participate in facilitated mortgage settlement conferences. Court appearances tend to be motion hearings, with an occasional trial.
LEGAL AID I AND ETHICS: LANDLORD-TENANT/SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (Law 75721, Sec. 02, JONES): Students in this section may handle landlord-tenant cases in the Small Claims division of the St. Joseph Superior Court, Social Security disability cases in administrative hearings, and occasionally other poverty law matters. Most students will have an opportunity to appear in court or before an administrative law judge. All matters involve substantial client interviewing and counseling, factual investigation, and case development. Landlord-tenant cases include eviction hearings and “damages” hearings to resolve financial matters such as security deposits, back rent, and damage to apartments. Social Security proceedings typically involve clients with mental illness who are appealing denials of disability benefits. Students develop an evidentiary record and then conduct hearings before administrative law judges. Many matters 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: 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: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (Law 75721, Sec. 04, KELLY): Students in this section counsel and represent nonprofits, small businesses and social enterprises in South Bend and throughout Northern Indiana. Students will offer transactional legal services to their clients in matters including entity formation, corporate governance, tax exemption recognition, risk management, finance arrangements and asset acquisition.
LEGAL AID II (Law 75723, JONES, FOX, JENUWINE, KELLY): Legal Aid II is a 3-credit, graded course open to a small number of 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.
LEGAL AID CO-CURRICULAR (Law 75725): Students who have completed Legal Aid I & Ethics may earn one or two credits of additional academic credit through clinical work tailored to the interests of the student. Opportunities are limited. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor.
