Experience in and out of the courtroom
Students handle a variety of lawsuits in municipal, state and federal courts as well as other forms of advocacy. These varied experiences provide learning opportunities both in and outside of the courtroom.
Civil Advocacy for Civil Rights
The Civil Advocacy Clinic focuses on cases involving civil rights issues, consumer protection matters, landlord-tenant disputes, and municipal ordinance violations.
Dig into Complex Issues
Civil matters can be complex, and students often have opportunities to dig into larger complex litigation matters under the supervision of an experienced attorney.
Justice in the Higher Court
Occasionally, civil cases reach the state appellate courts. Students are given the chance to argue cases when they are ready.
The Impact of civil advocacy
The SLU LAW Civil Advocacy Clinic has historically been known for its direct impact on the community. As the St. Louis region grappled with issues of municipal court disparities and predatory policing, the Clinic worked through legal avenues to push for reform.
Together with local law firms and nonprofits, the Clinic filed dozens of class action lawsuits against local municipalities, including the successful $1.7 million settlement with the City of Ferguson that affected about 10,000 people who were charged fees for the issuance of warrants or for failing to appear for a municipal court date.
After hours
Students in the Civil Advocacy Clinic can often be found in the field, whether it be meeting their client for night court or pouring through documents into the night in preparation for court the next day. The work is challenging, rewarding, and life changing.
Gage Barrows, J.D., Class of 2020, says,
“We work on a lot of big cases in the clinic. This may have been a small case, but it had a big impact. Our mere presence as attorneys on the case changed the outcome for our client.”
Gage Barrows, J.D., Class of 2020 says, “We work on a lot of big cases in the clinic. This may have been a small case, but it had a big impact. Our mere presence as attorneys on the case changed the outcome for our client.”
Make a Big Impact in small ways
Students like Gage Barrows have opportunities to make a big difference in the life of their clients. Gage was able to keep his client, a single mother dealing with domestic violence issues, in her home through some eleventh hour research and filings. Learn more >
In their words
Working for reform
In this podcast episode, Prof. Brendan Roediger discusses municipal court reform in the St. Louis region, five years after the death of Michael Brown when the issue first came under fire.
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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.
