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South Royalton Legal Clinic

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The South Royalton Legal Clinic (SRLC) serves Vermont residents who are unable to afford counsel and need assistance with issues pertaining to Family Law and Veterans. Please see the flow chart below to see if we can assist you.  

 

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Working under state and federal student practice rules, approximately 40 Vermont Law & Graduate School (VLGS) student clinicians and work-study students help to represent clients in over 150 court, administrative, and other appearances per year. The clinic has trained many leading legal service providers in Vermont. 

Under the guidance of experienced staff attorneys, VLGS students represent clients in state and federal court, as well as administrative hearings. They develop cases from start to finish: this includes interviewing and counseling clients; conducting research via discover, negotiations, and case and statutory analysis; writing briefs and motions; and preparing for and presenting at trial or hearing. SRLC students have also been involved in Vermont Supreme Court and U.S. District Court cases that have set precedents or clarified important points of law. 

 

Students 

The clinic experience is often transformative for students. They develop appreciation for and deep commitment to public service, as well as gain a sound introduction to legal practice. The clinical program also can be transformative for clients whose rights are protected through the high-quality legal assistance they receive. Second- and third-year JD students may work in the clinic full-time (12 credits/approximately 40 hours per week) or part-time (6 credits/approximately 20 hours per week) for one semester. Students who have successfully taken SRLC and wish to do advanced work may return to do so, provided specific permission from the Supervising Attorney. In the Advanced course, students have the opportunity to further develop their understanding of relevant substantive law and the lawyering skills introduced in their initial clinic course. Students will be expected to take greater responsibility for cases and to mentor novice clinicians. Students may enroll for 6, 9 or 12 credits.