Make a Difference
Students in the Children's Permanency Clinic have the opportunity to use their legal advocacy and policy skills to create change in the lives of children making sure they land in the environment that best suits their needs.
Real World Experience
Working together with the clinic director, students will appear in a variety of legal settings such as family court, municipal court, and juvenile court.
Working with Clients
By learning and practicing practical lawyering skills, students in the Children's Permanency Clinic are able to represent actual clients in a variety of legal settings throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area.
Be a Voice
Students in the Children's Permanency Clinic not only serve as a voice for court-involved children and youth but work to make sure that stakeholders and change-makers understand the challenges facing this population throughout the St. Louis region and within the State of Missouri.
Learn from the experts
A dedicated youth advocate, Kathryn Pierce Banks joined the SLU LAW faculty in 2021 as the director of the Children's Rights Clinic. Having spent many years prior developing her clinic at Washington University School of Law, she brings a wealth of experience teaching young lawyers. Prior to teaching, she was the legal services director for Voices for Children and an attorney in the Youth Advocacy Unit of the Missouri State Public Defender's Office.
Why choose children’s advocacy?
Children often find themselves in vulnerable situations in legal system. With the help of our clinic director, students can help children and their families navigate the legal system in hopes to a more secure and stable environment these children to thrive.
Professor Banks on her arrival at SLU LAW, , says,
“I am excited to begin my work at Saint Louis University School of Law in a community of students, faculty, and staff that I consider to be some of our greatest hometown heroes,” said Banks. “SLU LAW and the Jesuit commitment to service present new opportunities to expand my work on behalf of our area’s most vulnerable citizens, our children.”
Professor Banks on her arrival at SLU LAW, says, “I am excited to begin my work at Saint Louis University School of Law in a community of students, faculty, and staff that I consider to be some of our greatest hometown heroes,” said Banks. “SLU LAW and the Jesuit commitment to service present new opportunities to expand my work on behalf of our area’s most vulnerable citizens, our children.”
Professor Banks joined SLU LAW in 2021
She brings with years of experience advocating for children.
About the legal clinics
The SLU LAW Legal Clinics are the place where doctrine, practice, and professional responsibility come together. Unlike field placements or other experiential courses where students typically assist attorneys in case-related tasks, students in the Clinics assume primary responsibility (i.e., a "first chair" role) for their client matters.
In the classroom
In addition to their client work, students participate in a classroom component where they learn lawyering skills, address ethical obligations, and gain a better understanding of the social justice concerns and policy issues that affect their clients.
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Where do SLU LAW grads work?
From the courthouse to the courtroom, SLU LAW grads can be found everywhere.
What other courses can I take?
Beyond clinic offerings, students can take other practical skills courses.
