Community Law Clinic

Mission & Overview

The Community Law Clinic, in partnership with Mills Legal Clinic, provides direct legal services to low-income clients in housing, employment, family law, and consumer protection matters. Students work on community-identified legal problems, developing lawyering skills while advancing social and economic justice.

This clinic emphasizes community lawyering approaches that prioritize client self-determination, community development, and systemic change alongside individual representation. Students learn to serve clients ethically while engaging in impact work with organizations and communities.

What Students Do

Community Law Clinic students provide comprehensive legal services:

• Housing Representation — Defend tenants in eviction proceedings and negotiate with landlords
• Employment Legal Services — Advise on wage and hour violations, discrimination, and workplace issues
• Family Law Matters — Handle guardianship, custody, and protective order cases
• Consumer Protection — Address debt collection, predatory lending, and consumer fraud
• Community Organizing — Engage in community legal education and organizing
• Policy Advocacy — Participate in legislative advocacy and policy reform

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Conduct client interviews and develop case strategy
• Provide legal representation in housing, employment, and family law matters
• Understand poverty law and its systemic dimensions
• Engage in community-centered legal practice
• Analyze and address systemic legal problems
• Reflect on justice, power, and legal change

Teaching Approach

The clinic uses a community lawyering model combining direct service with systemic work:

• Weekly seminars on poverty law, client interviewing, and social justice
• Direct client representation with attorney supervision
• Community engagement and organizing work
• Policy research and legislative advocacy
• Reflection on practice and social change

Faculty Supervision

Faculty supervisors are experienced poverty law practitioners. They provide:

• Training on poverty law doctrine and community lawyering
• Oversight of all client work and representation
• Mentorship on client-centered practice and professional responsibility
• Guidance on analyzing systemic problems and advocating for change
• Support for reflective practice and justice commitments

Enrollment & Requirements

Who Can Enroll?

Open to 2L and 3L students. No specific prerequisites required. Successful applicants demonstrate:

• Commitment to serving low-income communities
• Respect for client dignity and self-determination
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Willingness to engage in reflection and growth
• Availability for regular client work

Application Process

Students apply and discuss their motivations for community legal work and social justice commitment.

Schedule & Time Commitment

Units: 12-15 units

Time Commitment: 20-25 hours per week, including:

• Weekly 2-hour seminars
• Direct client representation
• Community engagement and organizing

Format: Year-long clinic

Practice Areas & Impact

Students have worked on cases including:

• Tenant protection and eviction defense
• Wage theft and employment discrimination cases
• Custody and guardianship matters
• Protective orders and domestic violence support
• Consumer protection and debt issues
• Community organizing and systemic advocacy

Real-World Impact

Clinic work has resulted in successful eviction defenses, wage recovery, custody protections, and policy changes. Clinic participants have become leaders in community legal work, social justice, and poverty law. Many report the clinic as transformative in developing their professional identity and commitment to service.

Resources & Materials

Students have access to:

• Poverty law databases and practice guides
• Community partner networks and resources
• Client education and outreach materials
• Research support on systemic legal issues
• Library and knowledge resources

Contacts & Further Information

Clinic Director: Contact the Stanford Law Clinics office for current faculty assignments

Partners: Mills Legal Clinic and community organizations

Information: Visit the Community Law Clinic page or contact law-clinics@stanford.edu