Civil Legal Services Clinic
5 Credit Hours
| Overseeing Professor: Cynthia Batt, Associate Professor cbatt@law.stetson.edu |
Adjunct Professor: John Dubrule, Director of Litigation and Training Gulfcoast Legal Services |
Program Description:
The goal of the clinic is to expose students to the unique and continuing legal needs for all persons, regardless of social status or income. The clinic handles a variety of legal issues normally facing the poor and disadvantaged. Students are introduced to the actual practice of law, representing low-income individuals primarily in the areas of domestic relations, child custody, landlord-tenant, consumer credit, collection matters, and government entitlement matters.
Placement Locations:
• Bay Area Legal Services (Tampa Office)
• Gulfcoast Legal Services (Bradenton Office)
• Gulfcoast Legal Services (Clearwater Office)
• Gulfcoast Legal Services (Saint Petersburg Office)
• Gulfcoast Legal Services (Sarasota Office)
Program Requirements:
• 200 hours (fall and spring), 280 hours (summer);
• Weekly classroom component;
• Detailed weekly report and timesheets; and
• Electronic journal entries (minimum of five).
Eligibility Requirements:
• Successful completion of four semesters and at least 48 credit hours;
• Be in good academic standing;
• Successful completion of Professional Responsibility;
• Must have received a letter of approval (sometimes called a Notice of Registrant Clearance) from The Florida Board of Bar Examiners or expect to receive one at least eight weeks before participating in a clinic program (see the Certification section of this Guidebook for more details); and
• Must be certified by The Florida Supreme Court before the beginning of the semester during which the student intends to participate in a clinic program.
Application Requirements:
• Submit a completed application by the appropriate deadline (for more information, see www.law.stetson.edu/clinics); and
• Timely submit additional documentation as required for this program. (Students are notified of additional requirements after applying and being provisionally placed in the program.)
