Work with volunteer lawyers at free legal clinics held during weeks 2, 3 and 4 of each month at various OKC Metro locations. Students who participate in our legal clinics develop more than just legal skills; They return home with a deeper compassion and understanding of the human condition. Work online for a real-time chat service that helps website visitors find free legal information and legal services. Training units take place in the fall and spring semesters as well as in early summer. A clinic can be repeated for an additional three hours of experiential learning credits. In our clinics, you can gain hands-on experience in civil and criminal matters while supporting local citizens who otherwise would not be able to afford advice. In our advocacy clinics, you will help address and find solutions to real-world issues such as child abuse and the basic human rights of indigenous peoples around the world. The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System implements the Indigent Defense Act, 22 O.S. Section 1355 et seq.
by providing post-conviction, appeal, and criminal defense litigation services to individuals who have been judicially determined to be entitled to legal aid at state expense. The role of the system is to provide those in need with legal representation comparable to that which can afford legal assistance, in the most cost-effective manner possible. If a student works without pay in a legal government or public benefit organization during the summer, all hours worked during such an internship count towards the pro bono and public service commitment. In the past, students have worked without pay for legal aid organizations, public defense law firms, federal and state agencies that do rights-related work, and international public interest and human rights organizations that do rights-related work. Provided students have not received academic recognition for their work, they can count the hours worked with these organizations in their wish. Students who have gained clinical or practical experience develop clearer career goals and are better prepared to learn independently and collaborate effectively with others. This opportunity to «learn by doing» maximizes the benefits of hands-on learning as students apply classroom lessons to legal practice. Provide legal assistance to those most in need. Through the OU College of Law`s Civil Clinic and the Criminal Defense Clinic, students represent clients in Cleveland and McClain counties who otherwise could not afford a lawyer.
Under the strict supervision of faculty attorneys, articling students face many of the same situations and practice requirements they will face as attorneys, while being directly responsible for representing clients as articling students practicing under the Oklahoma Supreme Court`s Student Rules of Practice. Any volunteer and public service work performed to meet the requirements of a clinic or internship, or to earn other academic credits, does not count towards recognized volunteer and public service hours. However, hours worked in clinics or outpatient rotations beyond the hours required to earn credits may be considered qualified volunteer and public work. Under the supervision of a faculty clinician, Wills Clinic students provide wills and estate planning services to American Indians who own escrow or restricted property in Oklahoma. Students at the clinic are primarily responsible for all case-related work, including gathering facts, developing legal theories, and preparing initial documents. During the semester, students are expected to provide legal services an average of 6 to 10 hours per week outside of school hours. The pedagogical component complements the students` fieldwork. Andrew M. Coats Hall 300 Timberdell Road Norman, OK 73019 Phone: (405) 325-3702 Fax: (405) 325-7758 Email: legalclinic@ou.edu OU Law hosts two interdisciplinary advocacy clinics: Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and International Human Rights Clinic. Both programs allow University of Oklahoma law students to collaborate with graduate students and University of Oklahoma professionals, such as medical and nursing students.
The International Human Rights Clinic also offers students the opportunity for international immersion. The Student Legal Services (SLS) program provides legal services to students currently enrolled at the University of Oklahoma. Services include advice, advice and education on a wide range of legal issues, as well as limited representation, where appropriate, and referrals to local private lawyers upon request. Additionally, there are certain practical aspects of practicing law that students will never learn when sitting in a classroom – including learning to talk about the law clearly and concisely with a client, learning how to manage expectations, learning to manage time – all of these skills stem from a student`s requirement to apply their growing legal knowledge in the real world. in real time. Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma is a non-profit law firm. We are here for you because we believe that access to the legal system is just as important as food, shelter and clothing. A legal internship license is required to participate in OU Legal Clinic`s live client clinics. The Immigrant Rights Project (IRP) is a six-credit, one-semester clinical training program in which law students represent non-citizens in immigration matters. Clients include people seeking asylum in the United States because of persecution or fear of persecution in their home countries, as well as non-citizens who are victims of domestic violence and other crimes, unaccompanied minors without citizenship, or other non-citizens deported and placed in immigration detention. Reliable legal advice is sought and nuanced and cannot be disseminated «on the fly».
Currently, consultations are offered remotely and in person. When scheduling, students have the option to choose to schedule their appointment via Zoom, phone, email, or in person. Prerequisites: Students must have completed a bachelor`s degree in criminal law. Students must have completed criminal proceedings or completed them at the same time as the clinic. The university sponsors a pro bono referral program called Students for Access to Justice (SATJ), in which law students volunteer to assist pro bono lawyers and provide legal services to the public to public benefit and public service organizations. A student must either continue to be enrolled in the OU legal clinic each semester or be enrolled in the articling program in order for their articling permit to remain «active.» Students enroll in the Legal Internship Program in Ruth Walker`s office (Room 2020) during the first two weeks of each semester. (Students enrolled in the OU Legal Clinic do not need to be enrolled in the Legal Articling Program.) In the first semester, a student uses a legal internship license (either under the supervision of a private lawyer, DA office, RFP office, agency, etc.). or in conjunction with an internship), they are required to register for the Professionalism Issues course (this is not the same course as Professional Responsibility «PR»).