The University of Colorado Civil Law Clinic: a Model for Service and Education

• Publication year: 2000
• Pages: 47
• Citation: Vol. 29 No. 11 Pg. 47

29 Colo.Law. 47 Colorado Lawyer 2000.

2000, November, Pg. 47. The University of Colorado Civil Law Clinic: A Model for Service and Education

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47

Vol. 29, No. 11, Pg. 47

The Colorado Lawyer
November 2000
Vol. 29, No. 11 [Page 47]

Departments
Legal Services News
The University of Colorado Civil Law Clinic: A Model for Service and Education
by Sally Maresh

The Civil Law Clinic at the University of Colorado College of Law ("Clinic") is recognized nationally for its tradition of providing students with a sound understanding of advocacy skills in litigation, interviewing and counseling and negotiation. Through the dedication of its faculty students also learn the fundamental value of providing legal services to the community

The Clinic is currently under the direction of Patrick Furman, and counts among its distinguished former faculty Carol Glowinsky (District Court Judge, 20th Judicial District) and Roxanne Bailin (Chief Judge, 20th Judicial District), both of Boulder. The program is currently staffed by Juliette Gilbert, who runs an immigration clinic, and Professor Norm Aaronson, whose program provides the focus for this model.

The Clinic Curriculum

Professor Aaronson, who is in his twenty-second year as a Clinical Professor and is the former Clinical Director at the University of Colorado, focuses on the provision of direct service to indigent clients, rather than on advice only, pro se, or research clinics. Melody Fuller, Director of Boulder County Legal Services, is grateful for the tremendous contributions made by law students to clients. In addition to the representation provided by students supervised by Gilbert and Aaronson, students provide additional resources for victims of domestic violence through the Boulder Safehouse, as well as assist pro bono lawyers through the Lend A Law Student Program.

The Clinic curriculum consists of two components: direct representation and classroom study. The pedagogy provides a well-rounded learning experience that allows students to develop skill in the courtroom, interviewing and counseling skills, and an opportunity to work with private attorneys in negotiation and adversarial proceedings.

Perhaps most important, the curriculum provides students with an opportunity to serve clients whose cases and interests cannot be met fully by existing legal services. Clinical programs nationally are credited...