Philip C. Carruthers Public Interest Law Clinic – 7850

Spring 2014
Monica M. Bogucki

The Public Interest Law Clinic is a one-semester clinical course that links classroom instruction and field work experience in advocating for low-income clients. Weekly class sessions explore the role of the public interest lawyer, the attorney-client relationship, and interviewing and client counseling.

The classroom component focuses on crucial skills and substantive law required of a public interest lawyer. For the field work component, each student works on a public interest project under the supervision of a legal services lawyer or a practicing public interest attorney.

The field work is a 60-hour commitment. Most projects involve direct client representation which may include participation in court or agency proceedings. Students and projects are matched based upon student interest. Projects are focused on, but not limited to, issues of housing, family, immigration, disability law, government benefits, domestic violence, and legislative advocacy. The Minnesota Justice Foundation assists in coordinating field work placements.