The Fort Worth Business Press reports that the students studying to be Texas family law attorneys at Wesleyan University are gaining real-life legal experience through Wesleyan University's Law Clinic. The clinic has been of service to many low-income people in the state of Texas over the past decade. Clients don't have to pay attorneys fees.
The law clinic operates through various grants. The clinic has received more than $1 million in grant funding since 2003. Meanwhile, students are able to gain legal experience through a course that gives students credit for working in the clinic.
"Working at the clinic is very good for [student's] resumes. It's real experience with real clients and real court," law professor and clinic director Charlotte Hughart told Fort Worth Business Press.
Ms. Hughart said that students work about 10 hours per week at the clinic. The law students often work on various family law issues including divorce cases, protective orders, child support cases, child custody cases, and paternity issues. Yet, Ms. Hughart says that working in the clinic can be beneficial for all law students; even for those who do not intend to ever practice family law.
When the clinic first opened in 1998, about 10 students could enroll in the clinic each semester. Enrollment has since expanded to 24 students to date. Those who work in the clinic hope that the clinic will continue to grow in terms of the number of students who are able to get involved. Texas Wesleyan University eventually plans to branch the clinc out into other areas of the law as well.
Related Resources:
- Family Law (LawBrain)
- Collaborative Family Law: Overview (FindLaw)
- Texas family law attorneys directory (FindLaw)
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