Clinic Application Forms
SUPREME COURT LITIGATION CLINIC
PROSECUTION CLINIC
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CLINIC
CAPITAL POST-CONVICTION CLINIC
IMMIGRATION LAW CLINIC
INNOCENCE PROJECT CLINIC
Clinic application forms and information for some 2011-12 clinics are forthcoming.
SUPREME COURT LITIGATION CLINIC Mr. Ortiz, Mr. Rutherglen, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Elwood, Mr. Stancil, Mr. Goldberg, Credits: 8
Supreme Court Litigation Clinic Application 2011-12.pdf
This yearlong clinic will introduce third-year students to all aspects of current U.S. Supreme Court practice through live cases. Students earn eight credits (one credit graded on a CR/NC basis awarded in the fall for monitoring work done during the summer; three credits graded on a CR/NC basis awarded in the fall for work done in the fall; and four credits graded on an A-F basis for work done in the spring). Working in teams, students will handle actual cases from the seeking of Supreme Court review to briefing on the merits. Classes will meet every week to discuss drafts of briefs and other papers students have prepared for submission to the Court. Students will be expected to identify candidates for Supreme Court review; draft petitions for certiorari, amicus merits briefs, and party merits briefs; and attend mootings and Supreme Court arguments. Students interested in the clinic should consider attending the public information session on Tuesday, April 12, in WB119 at 5 p.m. Those who wish to enroll must complete an application form, attach the requested documents, and submit them via e-mail to Crystal Smith (cgs8d@virginia.edu) no later than April 15, 2011. Applications received after this date will be placed on a waiting list; these students will only be eligible for consideration if openings arise. Once enrolled, NO drops will be permitted. Admitted students will be required to complete some work over the summer before the clinic begins.
Enrollment Limitation: Students may enroll in one clinic per semester (on a space-available basis, students may petition to enroll in a second clinical offering)
Prerequisite: Third-year status, Constitutional Law
Course Requirement: Draft petitions and merits briefs, monitor lower court cases, and attend mootings and Supreme Court arguments.
PROSECUTION CLINIC Yearlong Seminar, Mr. R. Moore, Credits: 8
Prosecution Clinic web app 2011-12.pdf
General Student Comments About Field Offices
Best Court Days By Jurisdiction
This yearlong clinical course will expose students to all aspects of the prosecutorial function. Through a combination of classroom lectures and discussions, readings, guest speakers, and a field placement in one of several local participating prosecutors’ offices, students will explore a range of practical, ethical, and intellectual issues involved in the discharge of a prosecutor’s duties and responsibilities, including the exercise of discretion in the decision to initiate, prosecute, reduce, or drop charges, and sentencing; interaction between prosecutors and investigative agencies and law enforcement personnel; dealing with victims and other witnesses; and relationships with defense counsel. Ethical issues addressed may include: exculpatory evidence, duty not to prosecute on less than probable cause, cross-warrant situations, witness recantation and preparation, and improper argument at trial.
Clinical field placements will be in the Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Offices for Charlottesville and Albemarle County, and 16 other surrounding Virginia jurisdictions within 30-75 minutes of Charlottesville, as well as the Charlottesville and Harrisonburg Offices of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and the Richmond Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District. Most of the students’ responsibilities and duties will be at the trial court or pre-trial level, but may include writing appellate briefs. Students will be assigned to one of these participating prosecutor’s offices for the entire academic year, and are expected to work there on pending cases or in court at least one day per week. It is expected that each student will work out a suitable schedule with the office to which he or she is assigned. Many offices require or strongly recommend two days in the office a week. Requests for particular offices may be able to be accommodated, but students must be willing to work in whatever office assigned. Students are expected to provide their own transportation, at their own expense.
Slots in the United States Attorneys’ Offices are highly sought after, but be aware that typically clinic students do not get as much in-court experience in those offices as they do in state offices.
Fall semester classroom time will focus on the more common misdemeanor charges students will likely be handling in court, and the various stages of a felony criminal case in Virginia—from obtaining the charge up through trial, sentencing, and appeal—to provide a framework within which to better understand the clinical placement experience. The lectures and discussion will cover issuance of warrants by a magistrate, arrest, first appearances, bond hearings, preliminary hearings, Grand Jury, suppression hearings, competence and sanity issues, motions in limine, and trial, as well as assisting the police during the investigative stage.
Spring semester classroom time will be devoted to particular problems or issues that might arise in a criminal case, including specific difficulties encountered by students in their cases during the fall semester. These may include questions regarding prosecutorial discretion and the charging decision (and amending charges), constitutional concerns (such as search and seizure, confession and Miranda issues, right to counsel and fair trial, speedy trial, or double jeopardy), domestic violence and reluctant witnesses, relations with the police and defense counsel, capital punishment, competency/insanity, conspiracies, accessories, plea agreements, prosecutorial immunity, federal/state differences, and juvenile defendants.
Students also will be required to observe numerous court proceedings during the year and then write one or two short papers discussing such proceedings. There will be a written test fall semester, and a major paper spring semester on some aspect of the criminal process or prosecution. This paper is not a research paper and will not satisfy the upper-level writing requirement.
Students who wish to enroll must complete an application form and submit it via fax (434-924-4672), in person, or by mail to the Student Records Office. All applications must be received no later than NOON Wednesday, May 25th. Applications are available online and in the Student Records Office. Selected students will be notified by mid-June. Because spaces in the program are limited, and because of the need to perform background checks in some instances that require deployment of significant resources, the application sheet includes a formal representation which must be signed by the student that he or she will honor the commitment to undertake this program, if selected. Once enrolled, absolutely NO drops will be permitted. Grades will be based on the papers, test, attendance at court proceedings, and field office evaluation. It is helpful if the students applying for this clinic keep as many mornings open (free from classes) as possible since most courts meet in the morning. Students earn three credits in the fall; five credits in the spring.
Enrollment Limitation: Students may enroll in one clinic per semester. On a space-available basis, students may petition to enroll in a second clinical offering after the add/drop period has ended.
Prerequisite: Third-year status, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, Criminal Adjudication or Criminal Investigation or Criminal Procedure Survey, and Trial Advocacy. Either Trial Ad or one of the criminal procedure courses may be taken first semester third-year as a “co-requisite”, but not both, and students who already have all six are given preference for admission. Constitutional Law, Federal Criminal Practice, Negotiation Institute, or the Trial Advocacy College, would be helpful, but are not required. Students must be eligible for and obtain Third Year Practice Certification from the Virginia Bar (which requires the first four pre-reqs).
Course Requirement: Fall - test and two short papers; spring - major paper
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CLINIC Semester-long Seminar, Ms. Hurwitz, Credits: 4
International Human Rights Law Clinic web app 2011-12.pdf
This one semester clinic gives students first-hand experience in human rights advocacy working in partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), human rights practitioners and law firms in the U.S. and abroad.* Clinic projects are selected to build the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective human rights lawyer; to integrate the theory and practice of human rights; and to expose students to a range of human rights issues. Students collaborate on one or more projects in small teams, and have direct contact with the partner-clients. Class discussions focus on human rights law concepts and advocacy, and the legal, strategic, ethical, and theoretical issues raised by the project work. The Clinic provides substantial opportunity to develop international law research and writing skills.
For a list of past Clinic projects, see: http://www.law.virginia.edu/pdf/hr/clinic_projects_6_2010.pdf
Projects for the fall 2011 semester may include (among other things):
• United Nations advocacy (October meetings in NYC) in support of the recent USA report by the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and U.S. implementation of the due diligence standard with respect to VAW;
• Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeking release of documents regarding U.S. government knowledge of and role in the deadly May 31, 2010 attack by Israeli commandos on a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla;
• Comparative legal analysis (national and international law) for Iraqi parliamentarians working to strengthen rights-respecting law reform;
• Advocacy on behalf of Guatemalan indigenous communities for the right to education without discrimination.
* There is no direct client representation in this clinic.
Application instructions:
Students wishing to enroll in the International Human Rights Law Clinic for either semester must submit the application cover sheet (available at http://www.law.virginia.edu/lawweb/lawweb2.nsf/pages/Clinicapp?Open), with the requested documents, by email to: Professor Deena Hurwitz (deena@virginia.edu) no later than Thursday, June 23. Selected students will be notified by email no later than Monday June 28. Applications received after June 20 will be handled on a first-come basis. Once enrolled in the Clinic, you may not drop.
For additional information contact Professor Deena Hurwitz (deena@virginia.edu).
Enrollment Limitation: Students may enroll in one clinic per semester. On a space-available basis, students may petition to enroll in a second clinical offering after the add/drop period has ended.
Prerequisite: Second- or third-year JD or second-semester LLM status. Previous course work in Human Rights Law and/or International Law strongly recommended, but not required.
Course Requirement: :In addition to the regularly scheduled clinic session, project teams will meet at mutually agreed upon times. Substantial international human rights related research, advocacy, and legal writing.
CAPITAL POST-CONVICTION CLINIC Year-long Seminar, Mr. Lee, Credits: 5
Capital Post-Conviction Clinic web app 2011-12.pdf
The Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center (VCRRC) will conduct a year-long clinic centered on the representation of persons sentenced to death in Virginia and issues relevant to these cases. In addition to a classroom component focused on fundamental and current issues in capital litigation in Virginia, students will participate as litigation team members in the representation of clients. Clinic students will analyze trial records, perform original research, write draft claims, motions, legal and investigative memoranda and correspondence, and engage in field investigations on issues particular to case needs.
Because all Clinic work is related to representation, it is expected to be completed in an attentive and timely manner and with professional quality. Travel for investigative purposes should be expected, as should direct contact with clients and witnesses. There will be periods during the year when a significant time commitment will be required. Schedules that allow blocks of time will benefit students during investigative and time-sensitive work.
Interested students should submit applications via e-mail to the instructor, Robert Lee (roblee@vcrrc.org). We strongly encourage applicants to arrange an interview with VCRRC staff in order to determine how the Clinic experience will fit with their other responsibilities and professional plans. The interview may be conducted in person or on the telephone. Enrollment is limited, so early application is advised. Applicants will be notified as selections are made.
Enrollment Limitation: Students may enroll in one clinic per semester. On a space-available basis, students may petition to enroll in a second clinical offering after the add/drop period has ended.
Course Requirement: Students will analyze trial records, perform original research, write draft claims, motions, legal and investigative memoranda and correspondence, and engage in field investigations, including travel and interviewing clients and potential witnesses.
IMMIGRATION LAW CLINIC Semester-long Seminar, Mr. Ford, Credits: 4
Students will be assigned multiple clients and each will handle at least one complicated case involving extensive client interviewing, factual investigation, and legal brief(s). This semester-long clinic is offered in conjunction with the Legal Aid Justice Center. Students will have a variety of responsibilities in the Clinic where they will be learning to make critical legal judgments.
Clients come from diverse backgrounds and frequently have unusual factual scenarios that bring them to the doors of Legal Aid. Students will be expected to work with the clients and understand what they want and what we can pursue for them through available legal mechanisms. Women victims of violence are a priority at Legal Aid. Such victims can have avenues to legal status, sometimes through asylum, but also through remedies made possible by the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), including a "U visa" for victims of crimes. In another category of cases, we have clients appealing denials of applications for status, clients appealing for special categorization or procedures or clients who have cases complicated by past criminal or immigration history. Such cases can require coordination with law enforcement and/or social services agencies. For example, we have represented one child where deportation proceedings needed to be prolonged in order to make administrative appeals to another agency seeking status for the client.
The Clinic and Legal Aid are more than free counsel for qualifying clients, but also a community service providing an orientation to basic rights and available services to walk-ins and the wider community. We make a particular effort to assist the undocumented or at least ensure those that come to our doors understand what rights and options they do and do not have. Much of this work is with Latin Americans with limited English and Spanish language ability is a plus. One of the tasks can be intake. Students interview these potential clients, assess legal options and make critical judgments regarding strength of the possible case, needs of the client, and fit with Clinic/Legal Aid priorities in order to recommend whether to take the case. Students are expected to have some flexibility to accommodate the schedules of clients.
The Clinic meets for a weekly seminar that shifts from substantive law and skills to analysis of problems in our cases as the semester progresses. We will begin with a review of core concepts in the immigration field and the counseling of clients, and then review in more depth specific substantive forms of relief needed for our clients. We will cover skills needed in the Clinic, such as eliciting information from abuse victims and working through cultural differences. In addition, each student schedules weekly supervision with Doug Ford, where issues specific to the students’ cases are analyzed and they coordinate the overall plan of action for the students’ cases.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Interested students MUST submit an application consisting of a resume and a brief, (paragraph or two) statement outlining reasons for taking the clinic, relevant course work/experience, preferred semester of enrollment, and foreign language skills. Spanish language ability, especially, is a plus factor. E-mail your application directly to Clinic Director, Doug Ford (dford@virginia.edu). Admission granted on a rolling basis beginning now, until clinic is full.
ENROLLMENT LIMITATION: Students may enroll in one clinic per semester. On a space-available basis, students may petition to enroll in a second clinical offering after the add/drop period has ended.
PREREQUISITE or CONCURRENT: Immigration Law. Students with significant experience in refugee or immigration fields may seek a waiver.
COURSE REQUIREMENT: Interviews, investigation, organization and presentation of evidence, applications and/or legal briefs required by clients and potential clients
INNOCENCE PROJECT CLINIC Year-long Seminar, Mr. Engle, Ms. Enright, Credits: 8
Students in this yearlong clinic will investigate and litigate wrongful convictions of inmates throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Some of the cases will have forensic evidence (usually DNA) that could be tested, and some will be non-DNA cases. Preliminary cases will be assigned to individual clinic students for factual development and evaluation to determine whether or not the clinic should accept the case. The decision to accept or decline representation will be made by the full clinic with the final decision being made by Professors Enright and Engle. On cases that the clinic accepts for representation, students will work in teams of 3-4 to investigate and litigate those cases. In every case, students will be directed and assisted by the clinic Professors, but as students demonstrate competence and confidence, they may earn the opportunity for greater independence. Although the clinic will have a classroom component, most time will be devoted to casework – interviewing potential clients and witnesses, general investigation, reviewing case files, collecting records, searching court files, and drafting pleadings. Students will likely be visiting inmates at correctional centers, and conducting investigation in a wide variety of socioeconomic settings accompanied by a clinic Professor or, in some instances, another student.
Students should attempt to arrange their schedules to have at least one full weekday free for investigations. Some weekend and evening investigations will also be required. In addition, student teams will meet regularly with Professors Engle and Enright for supervision and direction. Students will earn eight credits for the year. Interested students should anticipate that the clinic will require a minimum of 15 hours per week, but the hours required for clinic work will vary according to the demands of the cases. The professors will not always be able to predict or control when the cases will demand intensive hours, so flexibility is important. ONCE ENROLLED IN THE CLINIC, YOU MAY NOT DROP.
Interested students must apply and be accepted to enroll in the clinic. To do so, please forward a resume, an unofficial transcript and a brief letter explaining your interest in the Innocence Project Clinic to Professor Deirdre Enright (deirdre@virginia.edu) AND Professor Matthew Engle (matthewengle@virginia.edu) no later than April 29, 2011. Selected students will be notified via e-mail by May 6, 2011. Although grades and experience are relevant considerations, your motivation and commitment to this work will be our primary considerations in making selections. Remember that your letter of interest is our only source for evaluating those qualities.
Enrollment Limitation: Students may enroll in one clinic per semester. On a space-available basis, students may petition to enroll in a second clinical offering after the add/drop period has ended.
Prerequisite: Second- or third-year status. Criminal Procedure and Evidence recommended, but not required.
Course Requirement: Interviewing potential clients and witnesses, general investigation, reviewing case files, collecting records, searching court files, developing and implementing litigation strategies, and more. Having access to a car for travel purposes is extremely helpful. Please indicate in your letter of interest whether or not you have access to a car for use in investigations.
