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Beginning in September and again in January of each year, the Law Clinic
accepts new cases. In recent semesters, we have represented a
significant number of tenants in eviction and Fair Housing matters.
In addition, we represent youth in delinquency proceedings before the
Montgomery County Juvenile Court as well as victims of domestic violence
in obtaining protection orders and other relief such as divorce,
custody, and child support. Clients are seen by appointment only and
usually by referral from other agencies. Cases not concluded within the
fall semester are assigned to a different student at the beginning of
the next semester, and cases that go into the summer are staffed by a
contract attorney.
In addition to providing representation to individual clients, the
Law Clinic provides community education and other legal
assistance to people engaged in community building and other
types of problem solving on behalf of communities of people. In
recent years projects have included presentations to area youth and
seniors, residents of various neighborhoods, and women residing in a
shelter for battered women. Presentation topics have included
individual rights with respect to police practices and procedures, the
various legal relationships that can be created between a child and a
grandparent or other non-parent relative who is raising the child, the
rights of tenants, and methods for addressing public nuisance and
building code enforcement standards in metropolitan neighborhoods.
In addition, the Law Clinic has collaborated with grassroots community
organizations in obtaining non-profit and tax-exempt status as well as
in addressing other problems identified by community residents engaged
in improving the quality of their neighborhoods and other
community-building strategies.
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