Information for Students

Students will work on a variety of cases, possibly including defending tenants against evictions in private, subsidized, and public housing; administrative appeals in public benefits cases, including nutrition assistance, Medicaid and Medicare, unemployment, and Social Security; and family law cases, including divorces, custody, and guardianship matters. Students may also have an opportunity to work on education law cases and draft simple powers of attorney and wills. The specific cases the clinic undertakes each semester will be determined by student interest and local need. At the beginning of the semester, the Director will ask students about the areas of law they are most interested in and match students and cases accordingly. However, students may not receive cases in the area of law they wish, as cases are determined by local need.

Because this clinic will provide opportunities for courtroom practice, 3Ls with their third year practice certificate are preferred. However, 2Ls with a demonstrated interest in the types of cases the clinic covers will also be considered. 2Ls may advocate for clients in some administrative hearings, and may also gain skills in interviewing and counseling clients, legal research, and legal writing.

Students will develop skills in client interviewing, case management, trial advocacy, negotiation, witness preparation, document review, case investigation, legal research, and advising clients.

Students should expect to work 17-20 hours per week. The Clinic is six credit hours.

There are no required prerequisites, but Family Law, Evidence, and Virginia Procedure are helpful courses.

Students’ primary work will be on their cases. Students will also have the opportunity to work on projects with local partners, such as local legal aid organizations, or participate in clinics or community events related to the course themes.

After students complete the regular Clinic, students may be eligible to participate in the Advanced A2J Clinic for 1 – 4 credits, either P/F or for a grade. Students do not have to attend the seminar portion and may continue to work with their clients from the prior semester. This is an excellent opportunity for students to continue to grow their skills following the foundations of the first semester. 

Professor Cassie Powell, Esq., MSW is the Director for the clinic. Professor Powell comes to UR Law after several years in practice as a legal aid attorney working in housing, public benefits, family, and education law. In her practice, Professor Powell used civil litigation, legislative advocacy, and community lawyering tools to advance the rights of low-income Virginians. Professor Powell is committed to ensuring the students in her clinic have a supportive and positive environment to learn while being challenged to develop innovative solutions to the legal needs faced by their clients.

Still have questions? Contact Professor Powell at cassie.powell@richmond.edu