Children's Rights Clinic

The Children's Rights Clinic offers students an opportunity to participate in educational rights work, including direct representation of children and families in school discipline and special education matters, community outreach, and education.

Clinic students have an opportunity to represent children in school discipline proceedings, represent children with disabilities in special education proceedings, or work with community groups to advocate for better and more equitable educational opportunities for children.

Students working on school discipline cases will interview and counsel clients, investigate and develop facts, interview witnesses, conduct legal research, create a case plan, negotiate with school personnel, and, if necessary, represent clients at school discipline hearings. These hearings provide the opportunity for clinic students to submit oral and written arguments, examine witnesses, and present evidence before the school board.

If appropriate, clinic students may have the opportunity to represent students on appeal before the county board of education. Students working on special education cases will interview and counsel clients, investigate and develop facts, work with mental health professionals and experts, conduct legal research, create a case plan, and represent clients at individualized education program team meetings. If necessary, students may represent clients at mediation or due process hearings.

Prerequisite: Evidence (140) - May be taken concurrently