Course Description
601:611. IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CLINIC (4 or 6) S WI Optional
LE:8
Prerequisites: Status as a senior as defined in Rule 1.5 and a course in Professional Responsibility.
Recommended: Immigration Law and Evidence. Permission of Instructor Required.
Students may not simultaneously enroll in the law school’s Externship Program and a clinic without permission of both supervising professors. Students may not simultaneously enroll in another clinic and the Immigrant Justice Clinic. All students taking this clinic must be in good academic standing. Academic and disciplinary records will be verified with the Dean of Students.
Special Note: In addition to class sessions, students in the course must also be available at times other than the scheduled class hours to attend hearings and meet with clients, classmates, and the supervising professor. As a result, students must have some flexibility in their schedules, particularly during business hours, to permit them to accommodate these additional time demands. This clinic may involve some travel to Immigration Court in Newark and to other venues in South Jersey.
Students in the Immigrant Justice Clinic will represent low income immigrants in matters at the intersection between immigration law and state law.
Under the supervision of a clinical professor, students are responsible for all aspects of the representation including interviewing and counseling clients, preparing witnesses, engaging in fact development, conducting legal research, drafting litigation documents, and oral advocacy. Students may also have the opportunity to assist immigrant clients with landlord-tenant, family law, post-conviction relief, and other matters, and to engage in research and advocacy on issues affecting the immigrant community. In addition to their case work and advocacy, students will attend a twice-weekly seminar focused on lawyering skills, ethics, and substantive law.
Students enrolled in the IJC will receive 4-6 academic credits (depending whether they are enrolled during the summer or during the academic year), and skills and writing credit. Optional writing intensive credit will also be available.