Supervised by Attorney Deria Hayes

The Domestic Violence Legal Clinic offers a unique opportunity for students to gain significant trial experience in addition to providing a much needed service to victims of domestic violence.  The Domestic Violence Clinic allows students to represent victim clients in Durham County Domestic Violence Court in civil protective order hearings under the supervision of the Supervising Attorney.  In the course of providing this representation, students investigate and develop legal and non-legal solutions to their clients’ issues, negotiate with opposing counsel, draft appropriate motions and appear in court.  Often the clients will have collateral matters, such as family law matters, juvenile abuse and neglect matters, small claims matters and criminal matters.  As a result, students gain an understanding of the intersection of the justice system with a domestic violence victim’s civil remedy.  The clinic receives referrals from the Durham Crisis Response Center, Legal Aid North Carolina of Durham, the Center for Child and Family Health and the NCCU Women’s Center.
 
Plans for the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic include offering it twice a year in the Fall and Spring Semesters for 2 credits.  All students who wish to register for the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic must complete the course Domestic Violence: History, Law and Practice, must complete the requirements to appear in court under the ABA third-year practice rule and be in good academic standing.