Course Schedule
Classes Found
Clinic: Entrepreneurship/Community Development
- MON 2:30 – 4:30 pm CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
Taught by Frances Leos Martinez, Clinic Director, and Heather K. Way. The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. 6 credits (pass/fail) — offered in the Fall and Spring. Students must register for Law 697C.
The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic provides students with a unique opportunity to develop business law and problem-solving skills while representing clients operating community enterprises -- small businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, nonprofit organizclientations, and community groups.
Students learn how to represent their clients on a broad variety of transactional business law matters. Typical legal matters include:
- assisting businesses with choice of entity decisions
- forming for-profit and nonprofit entities
- applying to the IRS for tax-exempt status
- drafting and negotiating contracts
- providing legal advice to nonprofit boards of directors and staff
- drafting lending and real estate documents
- assisting with intellectual property matters
Clinic students learn how to represent their clients through clinic classes, weekly team meetings with their clinic supervisor, and independent research and initiative. The Clinic classes emphasize the applicable substantive law; the larger social and theoretical context of the Clinic’s work; and the development of practical lawyering skills including interviewing, counseling, negotiating, contract drafting, and public speaking.
The Clinic class meets on Monday afternoons from 2:30-4:30 pm. There will be one offsite class on a Friday afternoon or Saturday (at a time to be scheduled after the start of the semester). There is a mandatory orientation class on the first Friday of the semester, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. In addition to class, students are required to keep a weekly schedule of eight in-clinic office hours, over the course of at least two days from Monday-Friday, 8-5. The Clinic is a significant time commitment. Students are expected to devote an average of 16-19 hours a week to the Clinic, including class time and in-clinic office hours. Attendance is required at the orientation and all classes and case rounds.
Enrollment is by application only. Students are encouraged to apply for the Clinic early as the Clinic fills up quickly. Students may request to be placed on a waiting list if space is unavailable during registration. Grading is on a pass/fail basis for this six-credit hour clinic.
There are no prerequisites for this clinic, although a background in business law (such as business associations, real estate, or tax law) or policy work will come in handy.
An application is required. For additional information, you may contact the Clinic Director Frances Leos Martinez (fmartinez@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1222), or the Clinic Program Coordinator (ecdc@law.utexas.edu).
Clinic: Entrepreneurship/Community Development
- MON 2:15 – 4:15 pm CCJ 3.306
- THU 9:10 – 10:00 am CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
Taught by Heather K. Way and Frances Leos Martinez. The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. 6 credits (pass/fail) — offered in the Fall and Spring. Students must register for Law 697C.
The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic provides students with a unique opportunity to develop business law and problem-solving skills while representing entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.
Students learn how to represent their clients on a broad variety of transactional business law matters. Typical legal matters include:
- assisting businesses with choice of entity decisions
- forming for-profit and nonprofit entities
- applying to the IRS for tax-exempt status
- drafting and negotiating contracts
- providing legal advice to nonprofit boards of directors and staff
- drafting lending and real estate documents
- assisting with intellectual property matters
The Clinic also provides interested students with the opportunity to represent clients on public policy issues impacting small businesses and community organizations, including affordable housing. Prior projects have included drafting state legislative reforms to assist low-income homeowners access property tax exemptions, testifying before local and state legislative bodies, and advising clients on regulatory barriers.
Clinic students learn how to represent their clients through clinic classes, weekly team meetings with their clinic supervisor, and independent research and initiative. The Clinic classes emphasize the applicable substantive law; the larger social and theoretical context of the Clinic’s work; and the development of practical lawyering skills including interviewing, counseling, negotiating, contract drafting, and public speaking.
The Clinic class meets on Monday afternoons from 2:15-4:15 pm (a few classes run until 5:15 pm), and also on Thursday mornings from 9:10 to 10:00 am for case rounds. There is a mandatory orientation class on the first Friday of the semester, from 9:00 am – 1:30 pm. In addition to class and case rounds, students are required to keep a weekly schedule of eight in-clinic office hours, over the course of at least two days from Monday-Friday, 8-5. The Clinic is a significant time commitment. Students are expected to devote an average of 17-20 hours a week to the Clinic, including class time and in-clinic office hours. Attendance is required at the orientation and all classes and case rounds.
Enrollment is by application only. Students are encouraged to apply for the Clinic early as the Clinic fills up quickly. Students may request to be placed on a waiting list if space is unavailable during registration. Grading is on a pass/fail basis for this six-credit hour clinic.
There are no prerequisites for this clinic, although a background in business law (such as business associations, real estate, or tax law) or policy work will come in handy.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application, available on the UT Law Clinical Education homepage (https://law.utexas.edu/clinics/application-information/). For additional information, you may contact the Clinic Co-Directors, Heather K. Way (hway@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1210) and Frances Leos Martinez (fmartinez@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1222), or the Clinic Administrator, Katy Thaler (kthaler@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1564).
Clinic: Entrepreneurship/Community Development
- MON 2:15 – 4:15 pm CCJ 3.306
- THU 9:10 – 10:00 am CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
Taught by Heather K. Way and Frances Leos Martinez. The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. 6 credits (pass/fail) — offered in the Fall and Spring. Students must register for Law 697C.
The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic provides students with a unique opportunity to develop business law and problem-solving skills while representing entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.
Students learn how to represent their clients on a broad variety of transactional business law matters. Typical legal matters include:
- assisting businesses with choice of entity decisions
- forming for-profit and nonprofit entities
- applying to the IRS for tax-exempt status
- drafting and negotiating contracts
- providing legal advice to nonprofit boards of directors and staff
- drafting lending and real estate documents
- assisting with intellectual property matters
The Clinic also provides interested students with the opportunity to represent clients on public policy issues impacting small businesses and community organizations. Prior projects have included drafting state legislative reforms to assist low-income homeowners access property tax exemptions, testifying before local and state legislative bodies, and advising clients on regulatory barriers.
Clinic students learn how to represent their clients through clinic classes, weekly team meetings with their clinic supervisor, and independent research and initiative. The Clinic classes emphasize the applicable substantive law; the larger social and theoretical context of the Clinic’s work; and the development of practical lawyering skills including interviewing, counseling, contract drafting, and public speaking.
The Clinic class meets on Monday afternoons from 2:15-4:15 pm (a few classes run until 5:15 pm), and also on Thursday mornings from 9:10 to 10:00 am for case rounds. There is a mandatory orientation class on the first Friday of the semester, from 9:00 am – 1:30 pm. In addition to class and case rounds, students are required to keep a weekly schedule of eight in-clinic office hours. The Clinic is a significant time commitment. Students are expected to devote an average of 17-20 hours a week to the Clinic, including class time and in-clinic office hours. There are no prerequisites for this clinic, although a background in business law (such as business associations, real estate, or tax law) or policy work will come in handy.
Enrollment is by application only. Students are encouraged to apply for the Clinic during early registration, as the Clinic fills up quickly. Students may request to be placed on a waiting list if space is unavailable during registration. Grading is on a pass/fail basis for this six-credit hour clinic.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application, available on the UT Law Clinical Education homepage (https://law.utexas.edu/clinics/application-information/). For additional information, please contact one of the Clinic Co-Directors Heather K. Way (hway@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1210) and Frances Leos Martinez (fmartinez@l.awutexas.edu), or the Clinic Administrator Katy Thaler (kthaler@law.utexas.edu), 512-232-1564).
Clinic: Entrepreneurship/Community Development
- MON 2:15 – 4:15 pm CCJ 3.306
- THU 9:10 – 10:00 am CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
Taught by Heather K. Way and Frances Leos Martinez. The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. 6 credits (pass/fail) — offered in the Fall and Spring. Students must register for Law 697C.
The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic provides students with a unique opportunity to develop business law and problem-solving skills while representing entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.
Students learn how to represent their clients on a broad variety of transactional business law matters. Typical legal matters include:
- assisting businesses with choice of entity decisions
- forming for-profit and nonprofit entities
- applying to the IRS for tax-exempt status
- drafting and negotiating contracts
- providing legal advice to nonprofit boards of directors and staff
- drafting lending and real estate documents
- assisting with intellectual property matters
The Clinic also provides interested students with the opportunity to represent clients on public policy issues impacting small businesses and community organizations. Prior projects have included drafting state legislative reforms to assist low-income homeowners access property tax exemptions, testifying before local and state legislative bodies, and advising clients on regulatory barriers.
Clinic students learn how to represent their clients through clinic classes, weekly team meetings with their clinic supervisor, and independent research and initiative. The Clinic classes emphasize the applicable substantive law; the larger social and theoretical context of the Clinic’s work; and the development of practical lawyering skills including interviewing, counseling, negotiating, contract drafting, and public speaking.
The Clinic class meets on Monday afternoons from 2:15-4:15 pm (a few classes run until 5:15 pm), and also on Thursday mornings from 9:10 to 10:00 am for case rounds. There is a mandatory orientation class on the first Friday of the semester, from 9:00 am – 1:30 pm. In addition to class and case rounds, students are required to keep a weekly schedule of eight in-clinic office hours. The Clinic is a significant time commitment. Students are expected to devote an average of 17-20 hours a week to the Clinic, including class time and in-clinic office hours. There are no prerequisites for this clinic, although a background in business law (such as business associations, real estate, or tax law) or policy work will come in handy.
Enrollment is by application only. Students are encouraged to apply for the Clinic during early registration, as the Clinic fills up quickly. Students may request to be placed on a waiting list if space is unavailable during registration. Grading is on a pass/fail basis for this six-credit hour clinic.
Please note: Students may not enroll in both the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic and the Texas Venture Labs at McCombs School of Business concurrently.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application, available on the UT Law Clinical Education homepage (https://law.utexas.edu/clinics/application-information/). For additional information, you may contact the Clinic Co-Directors, Heather K. Way (hway@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1210) and Frances Leos Martinez (fmartinez@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1222), or the Clinic Administrator, Sarah Beach (sbeach@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1564).
Clinic: Entrepreneurship/Community Development
- MON 2:15 – 4:15 pm CCJ 3.306
- THU 9:10 – 10:00 am CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
- Prof. keeps own waitlist
Description
Taught by Heather K. Way and Frances Leos Martinez. The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. 6 credits (pass/fail) — offered in the Fall and Spring. Students must register for Law 697C.
The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic provides students with a unique opportunity to develop business law and problem-solving skills while representing entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.
Students learn how to represent their clients on a broad variety of transactional business law matters. Typical legal matters include:
- assisting businesses with choice of entity decisions
- forming for-profit and nonprofit entities
- applying to the IRS for tax-exempt status
- drafting and negotiating contracts
- providing legal advice to nonprofit boards of directors and staff
- drafting lending and real estate documents
- assisting with intellectual property matters
The Clinic also provides interested students with the opportunity to represent clients on public policy issues impacting small businesses and community organizations. Prior projects have included drafting state legislative reforms to assist low-income homeowners access property tax exemptions, testifying before local and state legislative bodies, and advising clients on regulatory barriers.
Clinic students learn how to represent their clients through clinic classes, weekly team meetings with their clinic supervisor, and independent research and initiative. The Clinic classes emphasize the applicable substantive law; the larger social and theoretical context of the Clinic’s work; and the development of practical lawyering skills including interviewing, counseling, negotiating, contract drafting, and public speaking.
The Clinic class meets on Monday afternoons from 2:15-4:15 pm (a few classes run until 5:15 pm), and also on Thursday mornings from 9:10 to 10:00 am for case rounds. There is a mandatory orientation class on the first Friday of the semester, from 9:00 am – 1:30 pm. In addition to class and case rounds, students are required to keep a weekly schedule of eight in-clinic office hours. The Clinic is a significant time commitment. Students are expected to devote an average of 17-20 hours a week to the Clinic, including class time and in-clinic office hours. There are no prerequisites for this clinic, although a background in business law (such as business associations, real estate, or tax law) or policy work will come in handy.
Enrollment is by application only. Students are encouraged to apply for the Clinic during early registration, as the Clinic fills up quickly. The deadline for applications and early registration is April 9th at 12 noon. Students may request to be placed on a waiting list if space is unavailable during registration. Grading is on a pass/fail basis for this six-credit hour clinic.
Please note: Students may not enroll in both the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic and the Texas Venture Labs at McCombs School of Business concurrently.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application, available on the UT Law Clinical Education homepage (https://law.utexas.edu/clinics/application-information/). For additional information, please contact Clinic Director Heather K. Way (hway@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1210), or the Clinic Administrator Sarah Beach (sbeach@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1564).
Clinic: Entrepreneurship/Community Development
- MON 2:40 – 4:40 pm ONLINE
- THU 9:00 – 9:50 am ONLINE
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
- Prof. keeps own waitlist
Description
The Clinic’s classes and client meetings for the Spring 2021 semester will be remote (online). If conditions allow, for students in the Austin area there may be opportunities for some in-person classes and client-related meetings in Austin.
Taught by Heather K. Way and Frances Leos Martinez. The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. 6 credits (pass/fail) — offered in the Fall and Spring. Students must register for Law 697C.
The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic provides students with a unique opportunity to develop business law and problem-solving skills while representing entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.
Students learn how to represent their clients on a broad variety of transactional business law matters. Typical legal matters include:
- assisting businesses with choice of entity decisions
- forming for-profit and nonprofit entities
- applying to the IRS for tax-exempt status
- drafting and negotiating contracts
- providing legal advice to nonprofit boards of directors and staff
- drafting lending and real estate documents
- assisting with intellectual property matters
The Clinic also provides interested students with the opportunity to represent clients on public policy issues impacting small businesses and community organizations. Prior projects have included drafting state legislative reforms to assist low-income homeowners access property tax exemptions, testifying before local and state legislative bodies, and advising clients on regulatory barriers.
Clinic students learn how to represent their clients through clinic classes, weekly team meetings with their clinic supervisor, and independent research and initiative. The Clinic classes emphasize the applicable substantive law; the larger social and theoretical context of the Clinic’s work; and the development of practical lawyering skills including interviewing, counseling, negotiating, contract drafting, and public speaking.
The Clinic class meets on Monday afternoons from 2:40-4:40 pm, and also on Thursday mornings from 9:00-9:50 am for case rounds. There is a mandatory orientation class on the first Friday of the semester, from 9:00 am–12:30 pm. In addition to class and case rounds, students are required to keep a weekly schedule of eight “office hours.” The Clinic is a significant time commitment. Students are expected to devote an average of 17-20 hours a week to the Clinic, including class time and casework hours. There are no prerequisites for this clinic, although a background in business law (such as business associations, real estate, or tax law) or policy work will come in handy.
Enrollment is by application only. Students are encouraged to apply for the Clinic during early registration, as the Clinic fills up quickly. The deadline for applications and early registration is October 16th at 5 pm. Students may request to be placed on a waiting list if space is unavailable during registration. Grading is on a pass/fail basis for this six-credit hour clinic.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application, available on the UT Law Clinical Education homepage (http://www.utexas.edu/law/clinics/). For additional information, please contact Clinic Director Heather K. Way (hway@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1210), or the Clinic Administrator Sarah Beach (sbeach@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1564).
Clinic: Entrepreneurship/Community Development
- MON 2:40 – 4:40 pm CCJ 2.306
- THU 9:00 – 9:50 am TNH 3.126
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
- Prof. keeps own waitlist
- Satisfies ABA Professional Skills Requirement
Description
This course will be taught in person on some days (with remote participation via Zoom permitted) but online via Zoom on others.
Taught by Heather K. Way and Frances Leos Martinez. The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. 6 credits (pass/fail) — offered in the Fall and Spring. Students must register for Law 697C.
The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic provides students with a unique opportunity to develop business law and problem-solving skills while representing entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.
Students learn how to represent their clients on a broad variety of transactional business law matters. Typical legal matters include:
- assisting businesses with choice of entity decisions
- forming for-profit and nonprofit entities
- applying to the IRS for tax-exempt status
- drafting and negotiating contracts
- providing legal advice to nonprofit boards of directors and staff
- drafting lending and real estate documents
- assisting with intellectual property matters
The Clinic also provides interested students with the opportunity to represent clients on public policy issues impacting small businesses and community organizations. Prior projects have included drafting state legislative reforms to assist low-income homeowners access property tax exemptions, testifying before local and state legislative bodies, and advising clients on regulatory barriers.
Clinic students learn how to represent their clients through clinic classes, weekly team meetings with their clinic supervisor, and independent research and initiative. The Clinic classes emphasize the applicable substantive law; the larger social and theoretical context of the Clinic’s work; and the development of practical lawyering skills including interviewing, counseling, negotiating, contract drafting, and public speaking.
The Clinic class meets on Monday afternoons from 2:15-4:15 pm (a few classes run until 5:15 pm), and also on Thursday mornings from 9:10 to 10:00 am for case rounds. There is a mandatory orientation class on the first Friday of the semester, from 9:00 am – 1:30 pm. In addition to class and case rounds, students are required to keep a weekly schedule of eight in-clinic office hours. The Clinic is a significant time commitment. Students are expected to devote an average of 17-20 hours a week to the Clinic, including class time and in-clinic office hours. There are no prerequisites for this clinic, although a background in business law (such as business associations, real estate, or tax law) or policy work will come in handy.
Enrollment is by application only. Students are encouraged to apply for the Clinic during early registration, as the Clinic fills up quickly. The deadline for applications and early registration is April 3rd at 5 pm. Students may request to be placed on a waiting list if space is unavailable during registration. Grading is on a pass/fail basis for this six-credit hour clinic.
Please note: Students may not enroll in both the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic and the Texas Venture Labs at McCombs School of Business concurrently.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application, available on the UT Law Clinical Education homepage (http://www.utexas.edu/law/clinics/). For additional information, please contact Clinic Director Heather K. Way (hway@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1210), or the Clinic Administrator Sarah Beach (sbeach@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-1564).
Clinic: Environmental
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required) Students in the Environmental Clinic work with clients, including underserved communities throughout Texas, to advocate for reduced pollution, cleanup of existing pollution, access to infrastructure (such as clean drinking water), and climate change adaptation. Students work on cases in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty, and should expect to spend approximately 12 hours per week working on clinic cases. Clinic students have worked on civil rights complaints, environmental enforcement actions in federal court, ensuring access to clean drinking water, permitting and rulemaking proceedings before administrative agencies, community education, pollution monitoring, and environmental policy research. Students gain practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support. The weekly two-hour seminar's topics include representing environmental clients, navigating administrative law and agencies, and the efficacy of current laws for protecting health and the environment. The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic. An application is required. For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (kharagan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Administrator Rita Stramel (environmentalclinic@law.utexas.edu).
Clinic: Environmental
- THU 2:30 – 4:20 pm CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)
Students in the Environmental Clinic work with non governmental organizations and underserved communities throughout Texas to advocate for solutions to today’s pressing environmental problems, including environmental injustice and climate change. Students in the Clinic learn to think creatively about how to use the law to protect and improve environmental quality and public health.
Students work on cases in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty, and should expect to spend approximately 12 hours per week working on clinic cases. Recent clinic projects have included:
- civil rights complaints,
- environmental enforcement in federal courts,
- work to ensure access to clean drinking water
- permitting and rulemaking proceedings before courts and administrative agencies,
- nuisance actions,
- community education,
- pollution monitoring, and
- environmental policy research.
Through their work on cases, students in the Clinic have gained practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, community education, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support.
Students also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar in which you will gain practice navigating environmental statutes and rules and discuss environmental laws, environmental justice, the role of lawyers in social movements, and the efficacy of current laws for protecting health and the environment.
The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic.
An application is required.
For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (kharagan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Administrator Rita Stramel (environmentalclinic@law.utexas.edu).
Clinic: Environmental
- THU 2:30 – 4:30 pm CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)
Students in the Environmental Clinic work with non governmental organizations and underserved communities throughout Texas to advocate for solutions to today’s pressing environmental problems, including environmental injustice and climate change. Students in the Clinic learn to think creatively about how to use the law to protect and improve environmental quality and public health.
Students work on cases in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty, and should expect to spend approximately 12 hours per week working on clinic cases. Recent clinic projects have included:
- civil rights complaints,
- environmental enforcement in federal courts,
- work to ensure access to clean drinking water
- permitting and rulemaking proceedings before courts and administrative agencies,
- nuisance actions,
- community education,
- pollution monitoring, and
- environmental policy research.
Through their work on cases, students in the Clinic have gained practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, community education, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support.
Students also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar in which you will gain practice navigating environmental statutes and rules and discuss environmental laws, environmental justice, the role of lawyers in social movements, and the efficacy of current laws for protecting health and the environment.
The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic.
An application is required.
For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (kharagan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Administrator Rita Stramel (environmentalclinic@law.utexas.edu).
Clinic: Environmental
- THU 2:30 – 4:20 pm CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)
Students in the Environmental Clinic work with non governmental organizations and underserved communities throughout Texas to advocate for solutions to today’s pressing environmental problems, including environmental injustice and climate change. Students in the Clinic learn to think creatively about how to use the law to protect and improve environmental quality and public health.
Students work on cases in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty, and should expect to spend 10-12 hours per week working on clinic cases. Recent clinic projects have included:
- civil rights complaints,
- environmental enforcement in federal courts,
- work to ensure access to clean drinking water
- permitting and rulemaking proceedings before courts and administrative agencies,
- nuisance actions,
- community education,
- pollution monitoring, and
- environmental policy research.
Through their work on cases, students in the Clinic have gained practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, community education, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support.
Students also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar in which you will gain practice navigating environmental statutes and rules and discuss environmental laws, environmental justice, the role of lawyers in social movements, and the efficacy of current laws for protecting health and the environment.
The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic.
An application is required.
For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (kharagan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Administrator Katy Thaler (environmentalclinic@law.utexas.edu).
Clinic: Environmental
- THU 2:30 – 4:20 pm CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)
Students in the Environmental Clinic work with non governmental organizations and underserved communities throughout Texas to advocate for solutions to today’s pressing environmental problems, including environmental injustice and climate change. Students in the Clinic learn to think creatively about how to use the law to protect and improve environmental quality and public health.
Students work on cases in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty, and should expect to spend 10-12 hours per week working on clinic cases. Recent clinic projects have included:
- civil rights complaints,
- environmental enforcement in federal courts,
- work to ensure access to clean drinking water
- permitting and rulemaking proceedings before courts and administrative agencies,
- nuisance actions,
- community education,
- pollution monitoring, and
- environmental policy research.
Through their work on cases, students in the Clinic have gained practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, community education, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support.
Students also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar in which you will gain practice navigating enviormental statutes and rules and discuss environmental laws, environmental justice, the role of lawyes in social movements, and the efficacy of current laws for protecting health and the environment.
The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic.
An application is required.
For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (kharagan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Administrator Katy Thaler (environmentalclinic@law.utexas.edu).
Clinic: Environmental
- THU 3:45 – 5:35 pm CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)
Students in the Environmental Clinic work with non governmental organizations and underserved communities throughout Texas to advocate for solutions to today’s pressing environmental problems, including environmental injustice and climate change. Students in the Clinic learn to think creatively about how to use the law to protect and improve environmental quality and public health.
Students work on cases in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty, and should expect to spend 10-12 hours per week working on clinic cases. Recent clinic projects have included:
- civil rights complaints,
- environmental enforcement in federal courts,
- permitting and rulemaking proceedings before courts and administrative agencies,
- nuisance actions,
- community education,
- pollution monitoring, and
- environmental policy research.
Through their work on cases, students in the Clinic have gained practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, community education, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support.
Students also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar in which you will gain practice navigating enviormental statutes and rules and discuss environmental laws, environmental justice, the role of lawyes in social movements, and the efficacy of current laws for protecting health and the environment.
The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application.
For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (kharagan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Administrator Sarah Beach (sbeach@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2454).
Clinic: Environmental
- THU 3:45 – 5:35 pm CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)
Students in the Environmental Clinic work with non governmental organizations and underserved communities throughout Texas to advocate for solutions to today’s pressing environmental problems, including environmental injustice and climate change. Students think creatively about how to use the law to protect and improve environmental quality and public health.
Students work in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty, and should expect to spend approximately 12 hours per week working on clinic cases. Recent clinic projects have included:
- Clean Air Act and Safe Drinking Water Act enforcement actions in federal court,
- comments on Environmental Impact Statements,
- permitting and rulemaking proceedings before courts and administrative agencies,
- civil rights complaints, and
- community environmental education and pollution monitoring.
The casework allows students to gain practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, community education, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support.
In the weekly two-hour seminar students practice navigating environmental statutes and regulations and discuss environmental laws, environmental justice, the role of lawyers in social movements, climate change, and other environmental topics of interest to the class.
The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application.
For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (kharagan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Program Coordinator Katy Thaler (kthaler@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2454).
Clinic: Environmental
- THU 2:15 – 4:05 pm CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)
Students in the Environmental Clinic work with non governmental organizations and underserved communities throughout Texas to advocate for solutions to today’s pressing environmental problems, including environmental injustice and climate change. Students in the Clinic learn to think creatively about how to use the law to protect and improve environmental quality and public health.
Students work on cases in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty, and should expect to spend 10-12 hours per week working on clinic cases. Recent clinic projects have included:
- civil rights complaints,
- environmental enforcement in federal courts,
- permitting and rulemaking proceedings before courts and administrative agencies,
- nuisance actions,
- community education,
- pollution monitoring, and
- environmental policy research.
Through their work on cases, students in the Clinic have gained practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, community education, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support.
Students also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar in which you will gain practice navigating enviormental statutes and rules and discuss environmental laws, environmental justice, the role of lawyes in social movements, and the efficacy of current laws for protecting health and the environment.
The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application.
For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (kharagan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Administrator Sarah Beach (sbeach@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2454).
Clinic: Environmental
- THU 2:15 – 4:05 pm CCJ 3.306
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
- Prof. keeps own waitlist
Description
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)
Students in the Environmental Clinic work with non governmental organizations and underserved communities throughout Texas to advocate for solutions to today’s pressing environmental problems, including environmental injustice and climate change. Students in the Clinic learn to think creatively about how to use the law to protect and improve environmental quality and public health.
Students work on cases in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty, and should expect to spend 10-12 hours per week working on clinic cases. Recent clinic projects have included:
- civil rights complaints,
- environmental enforcement in federal courts,
- permitting and rulemaking proceedings before courts and administrative agencies,
- nuisance actions,
- community education,
- pollution monitoring, and
- environmental policy research.
Through their work on cases, students in the Clinic have gained practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, community education, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support.
Students also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar in which you will gain practice navigating enviormental statutes and rules and discuss environmental laws, environmental justice, the role of lawyes in social movements, and the efficacy of current laws for protecting health and the environment.
The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application.
For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (kharagan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Administrator Sarah Beach (sbeach@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2454).
Clinic: Environmental
- THU 2:40 – 4:38 pm ONLINE
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
- Prof. keeps own waitlist
- Satisfies ABA Professional Skills Requirement
Description
This course will be taught entirely online via Zoom.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)
Students in the Environmental Clinic work with non governmental organizations and underserved communities throughout Texas to advocate for solutions to today’s pressing environmental problems, including environmental injustice and climate change. Students in the Clinic learn to think creatively about how to use the law to protect and improve environmental quality and public health.
Students work on cases in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty, and should expect to spend 10-12 hours per week working on clinic cases. Recent clinic projects have included:
- civil rights complaints,
- environmental enforcement in federal courts,
- permitting and rulemaking proceedings before courts and administrative agencies,
- nuisance actions,
- community education,
- pollution monitoring, and
- environmental policy research.
Through their work on cases, students in the Clinic have gained practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, client counseling and community education, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support.
Students also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar in which we discuss environmental laws, environmental justice, the role of lawyes in social movements, and the efficacy of current laws for protecting health and the environment. This semester, the clinic will be taught remotely via Zoom. While in person attendance will not be required or expected, we will look for opportunities - depending on student comfort and the state of the pandemic - for those who wish to meet in person to do so for team meetings and/or a few select classes.
The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application.
For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (kharagan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Administrator Sarah Beach (sbeach@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2454).
Clinic: Environmental
- THU 2:40 – 4:30 pm TNH 3.126
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 697C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 6 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
- Prof. keeps own waitlist
- Satisfies ABA Professional Skills Requirement
Description
This course will be taught in person on some days (with remote participation via Zoom permitted) but online via Zoom on others.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC – 6 credits, pass/fail (application required)
The Clinic is open to students who have completed their first two semesters. There is no prerequisite for the clinic.
Students in the Environmental Clinic work with underserved communities throughout Texas to advocate for solutions to today’s pressing environmental problems, including environmental injustice and climate change. Students in the Clinic learn to think creatively about how to use the law to protect and improve environmental quality and public health.
Students work on cases in teams, under the supervision of clinic faculty. Students should expect to spend 10-12 hours per week working on clinic cases.
Recent clinic projects have included:
- civil rights complaints,
- environmental enforcement in federal courts,
- permitting and rulemaking proceedings before courts and administrative agencies,
- nuisance actions,
- community education,
- pollution monitoring, and
- environmental policy research.
Through their work on cases, students in the Clinic have gained practical experience with factual investigation and analysis, client counseling and community education, administrative research and advocacy before regulatory agencies, and legal drafting and litigation support.
Students also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar in which we discuss environmental laws, environmental justice, and the efficacy of current laws for protecting health and the environment.
To apply for the Clinic, please submit the online application.
For additional information regarding the clinic, contact Clinic Director Kelly Haragan (haragan@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2654) or Clinic Administrator Sarah Beach (sbeach@law.utexas.edu, 512-232-2454).
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 497C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 4 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Clinic: Housing
- TUE 3:55 – 5:45 pm OFF CAMPUS
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 497C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 4 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
This is a four-credit hour clinic. It is offered only in the spring. Students in this clinic represent low-income families on their housing-related legal problems.
The primary focus of the work is helping clients to avoid homelessness and to obtain affordable housing. Students represent clients on a myriad of issues related to low-income housing programs. The work includes representing clients in threatened evictions, rent issues, threatened section 8 voucher terminations, and on denials of public housing, subsidized housing, and section 8 voucher housing. The work is especially interesting not only because of the compelling needs of the clients and the often egregious actions of the adverse party, but because of the intersection of federal housing law and federal regulations, state landlord-tenant law and contract law. Moreover, many clients are persons with mental disabilities; representation requires use of the Fair Housing Act and the reasonable accommodation provision -- an area of the law that is rapidly evolving.
Two examples of cases from recent clinics: (1) One student represented a public housing client who had been on the waiting list for a section 8 housing voucher for over four years but consistently passed over because she resided in public housing. Congress has prohibited public housing authorities from penalizing families applying for a voucher because they live in public housing. The student wrote the housing authority demanding a change in the policy and threatening suit. The housing authority changed its policy -- benefiting a number of public housing families. The client was subsequently awarded a voucher. (2) Another student represented a client who had been denied a subsidized apartment on the basis of a sixteen-year old drug conviction. The student wrote a demand letter to the owner’s attorney. The attorney responded defending the owner’s policy and rejecting the efforts to resolve the case. The student drafted a lawsuit petition and filed suit before the clinic term ended. The suit subsequently settled with the landlord changing its policies and adopting reasonable criminal history “look-back periods.” These are but two examples. Other students have defended evictions, represented clients in section 8 voucher termination cases, challenged rent calculations by subsidized owners and public housing authorities, filed bill of review lawsuits challenging eviction judgments, and drafted real estate documents clearing title to property for low-income homeowners. The work is fast-paced and challenging, with a great deal of client and opposing party interaction. Most cases are completed during the semester, allowing the student to see the case from beginning to end.
A weekly class is held at the offices of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Students must also spend a minimum of eight hours a week working on their clients’ cases at Legal Aid. Those hours must be spread over two or (preferably) three different days during the week. Cases are reviewed and discussed in class. Classroom lectures focus on tenant rights under federal housing programs and Texas landlord-tenant statutes. Significant classroom time is also spent on how to represent clients with the highest possible quality and ethics. All credit is awarded on the pass/fail basis. Participants must have completed at least forty-three semester hours in law. Students register for Law 497C by filling out an application. The application and instructions on how to apply for this clinic can be accessed on the web.
Clinic: Housing
- TUE 3:55 – 5:45 pm OFF CAMPUS
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 497C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 4 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
This is a four-credit hour clinic. It is offered only in the spring. Students in this clinic represent low-income families on their housing-related legal problems.
The primary focus of the work is helping clients to avoid homelessness and to obtain affordable housing. Students represent clients on a myriad of issues related to low-income housing programs. The work includes representing clients in threatened evictions, rent issues, threatened section 8 voucher terminations, and on denials of public housing, subsidized housing, and section 8 voucher housing. The work is especially interesting not only because of the compelling needs of the clients and the often egregious actions of the adverse party, but because of the intersection of federal housing law and federal regulations, state landlord-tenant law and contract law. Moreover, many clients are persons with mental disabilities; representation requires use of the Fair Housing Act and the reasonable accommodation provision -- an area of the law that is rapidly evolving.
Two examples of cases from recent clinics: (1) One student represented a public housing client who had been on the waiting list for a section 8 housing voucher for over four years but consistently passed over because she resided in public housing. Congress has prohibited public housing authorities from penalizing families applying for a voucher because they live in public housing. The student wrote the housing authority demanding a change in the policy and threatening suit. The housing authority changed its policy -- benefiting a number of public housing families. The client was subsequently awarded a voucher. (2) Another student represented a client who had been denied a subsidized apartment on the basis of a sixteen-year old drug conviction. The student wrote a demand letter to the owner’s attorney. The attorney responded defending the owner’s policy and rejecting the efforts to resolve the case. The student drafted a lawsuit petition and filed suit before the clinic term ended. The suit subsequently settled with the landlord changing its policies and adopting reasonable criminal history “look-back periods.” These are but two examples. Other students have defended evictions, represented clients in section 8 voucher termination cases, challenged rent calculations by subsidized owners and public housing authorities, filed bill of review lawsuits challenging eviction judgments, and drafted real estate documents clearing title to property for low-income homeowners. The work is fast-paced and challenging, with a great deal of client and opposing party interaction. Most cases are completed during the semester, allowing the student to see the case from beginning to end.
A weekly class is held at the offices of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Students must also spend a minimum of eight hours a week working on their clients’ cases at Legal Aid. Those hours must be spread over two or (preferably) three different days during the week. Cases are reviewed and discussed in class. Classroom lectures focus on tenant rights under federal housing programs and Texas landlord-tenant statutes. Significant classroom time is also spent on how to represent clients with the highest possible quality and ethics. All credit is awarded on the pass/fail basis. Participants must have completed at least forty-three semester hours in law. Students register for Law 497C by filling out an application. The application and instructions on how to apply for this clinic can be accessed on the web.
Clinic: Housing
- TUE 4:15 – 6:05 pm OFF CAMPUS
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 497C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 4 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
In the spring of 2021, the weekly classes will be taught via Zoom on Tuesdays from 4:15 - 6:13 pm, and student office hours likely will also be performed remotely. Depending on conditions in Austin and the way the courts are operating, there may be opportunities for in-person hearings and client meetings for students who are in Austin.
This is a four-credit hour clinic. It is offered only in the spring. Students in this clinic represent low-income families on their housing-related legal problems.
The primary focus of the work is helping clients to avoid homelessness and to obtain affordable housing. Students represent clients on a myriad of issues related to low-income housing programs. The work includes representing clients in threatened evictions, rent issues, threatened section 8 voucher terminations, and on denials of public housing, subsidized housing, and section 8 voucher housing. The work is especially interesting not only because of the compelling needs of the clients and the often egregious actions of the adverse party, but because of the intersection of federal housing law and federal regulations, state landlord-tenant law and contract law. Moreover, many clients are persons with mental disabilities; representation requires use of the Fair Housing Act and the reasonable accommodation provision -- an area of the law that is rapidly evolving.
Two examples of cases from recent clinics: (1) One student represented a public housing client who had been on the waiting list for a section 8 housing voucher for over four years but consistently passed over because she resided in public housing. Congress has prohibited public housing authorities from penalizing families applying for a voucher because they live in public housing. The student wrote the housing authority demanding a change in the policy and threatening suit. The housing authority changed its policy -- benefiting a number of public housing families. The client was subsequently awarded a voucher. (2) Another student represented a client who had been denied a subsidized apartment on the basis of a sixteen-year old drug conviction. The student wrote a demand letter to the owner’s attorney. The attorney responded defending the owner’s policy and rejecting the efforts to resolve the case. The student drafted a lawsuit petition and filed suit before the clinic term ended. The suit subsequently settled with the landlord changing its policies and adopting reasonable criminal history “look-back periods.” These are but two examples. Other students have defended evictions, represented clients in section 8 voucher termination cases, challenged rent calculations by subsidized owners and public housing authorities, filed bill of review lawsuits challenging eviction judgments, and drafted real estate documents clearing title to property for low-income homeowners. The work is fast-paced and challenging, with a great deal of client and opposing party interaction. Most cases are completed during the semester, allowing the student to see the case from beginning to end.
A weekly class is held at the offices of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Students must also spend a minimum of eight hours a week working on their clients’ cases at Legal Aid. Those hours must be spread over two or (preferably) three different days during the week. Cases are reviewed and discussed in class. Classroom lectures focus on tenant rights under federal housing programs and Texas landlord-tenant statutes. Significant classroom time is also spent on how to represent clients with the highest possible quality and ethics. All credit is awarded on the pass/fail basis. Participants must have completed at least forty-three semester hours in law. Students register for Law 497C by filling out an application. The application and instructions on how to apply for this clinic can be accessed on the web.
Clinic: Housing
- TUE 4:15 – 6:05 pm OFF CAMPUS
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 497C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 4 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Description
In the spring of 2021, the weekly classes will be taught via Zoom on Tuesdays from 4:15 - 6:13 pm, and student office hours likely will also be performed remotely. Depending on conditions in Austin and the way the courts are operating, there may be opportunities for in-person hearings and client meetings for students who are in Austin.
This is a four-credit hour clinic. It is offered only in the spring. Students in this clinic represent low-income families on their housing-related legal problems.
The primary focus of the work is helping clients to avoid homelessness and to obtain affordable housing. Students represent clients on a myriad of issues related to low-income housing programs. The work includes representing clients in threatened evictions, rent issues, threatened section 8 voucher terminations, and on denials of public housing, subsidized housing, and section 8 voucher housing. The work is especially interesting not only because of the compelling needs of the clients and the often egregious actions of the adverse party but because of the intersection of federal housing law and federal regulations, state landlord-tenant law and contract law. Moreover, many clients are persons with mental disabilities; representation requires use of the Fair Housing Act and the reasonable accommodation provision -- an area of the law that is rapidly evolving.
Two examples of cases from recent clinics: (1) One student represented a public housing client who had been on the waiting list for a section 8 housing voucher for over four years but consistently passed over because she resided in public housing. Congress has prohibited public housing authorities from penalizing families applying for a voucher because they live in public housing. The student wrote the housing authority demanding a change in the policy and threatening suit. The housing authority changed its policy -- benefiting a number of public housing families. The client was subsequently awarded a voucher. (2) Another student represented a client who had been denied a subsidized apartment on the basis of a sixteen-year old drug conviction. The student wrote a demand letter to the owner’s attorney. The attorney responded defending the owner’s policy and rejecting the efforts to resolve the case. The student drafted a lawsuit petition and filed suit before the clinic term ended. The suit subsequently settled with the landlord changing its policies and adopting reasonable criminal history “look-back periods.” These are but two examples. Other students have defended evictions, represented clients in section 8 voucher termination cases, challenged rent calculations by subsidized owners and public housing authorities, filed bill of review lawsuits challenging eviction judgments, and drafted real estate documents clearing title to property for low-income homeowners. The work is fast-paced and challenging, with a great deal of client and opposing party interaction. Most cases are completed during the semester, allowing the student to see the case from beginning to end.
A weekly class is held at the offices of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Students must also spend a minimum of eight hours a week working on their clients’ cases at Legal Aid. Those hours must be spread over two or three different days during the week. Cases are reviewed and discussed in class. Classroom lectures focus on tenant rights under federal housing programs and Texas landlord-tenant statutes. Significant classroom time is also spent on how to represent clients with the highest possible quality and ethics. All credit is awarded on the pass/fail basis. Participants must have completed at least forty-three semester hours in law. Students register for Law 497C by filling out an application. The application and instructions on how to apply for this clinic can be accessed on the web.
Clinic: Housing
- TUE 4:15 – 6:13 pm ONLINE
Course Information
- Course ID:
- 497C
- Experiential learning credit:
- 4 hours
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
- Prof. keeps own waitlist
- Satisfies ABA Professional Skills Requirement
Description
In the spring of 2021, the weekly classes will be taught via Zoom on Tuesdays from 4:15 - 6:13 pm, and student office hours likely will also be performed remotely. Depending on conditions in Austin and the way the courts are operating, there may be opportunities for in-person hearings and client meetings for students who are in Austin.
This is a four-credit hour clinic. It is offered only in the spring. Students in this clinic represent low-income families on their housing-related legal problems.
The primary focus of the work is helping clients to avoid homelessness and to obtain affordable housing. Students represent clients on a myriad of issues related to low-income housing programs. The work includes representing clients in threatened evictions, rent issues, threatened section 8 voucher terminations, and on denials of public housing, subsidized housing, and section 8 voucher housing. The work is especially interesting not only because of the compelling needs of the clients and the often egregious actions of the adverse party but because of the intersection of federal housing law and federal regulations, state landlord-tenant law and contract law. Moreover, many clients are persons with mental disabilities; representation requires use of the Fair Housing Act and the reasonable accommodation provision -- an area of the law that is rapidly evolving.
Two examples of cases from recent clinics: (1) One student represented a public housing client who had been on the waiting list for a section 8 housing voucher for over four years but consistently passed over because she resided in public housing. Congress has prohibited public housing authorities from penalizing families applying for a voucher because they live in public housing. The student wrote the housing authority demanding a change in the policy and threatening suit. The housing authority changed its policy -- benefiting a number of public housing families. The client was subsequently awarded a voucher. (2) Another student represented a client who had been denied a subsidized apartment on the basis of a sixteen-year old drug conviction. The student wrote a demand letter to the owner’s attorney. The attorney responded defending the owner’s policy and rejecting the efforts to resolve the case. The student drafted a lawsuit petition and filed suit before the clinic term ended. The suit subsequently settled with the landlord changing its policies and adopting reasonable criminal history “look-back periods.” These are but two examples. Other students have defended evictions, represented clients in section 8 voucher termination cases, challenged rent calculations by subsidized owners and public housing authorities, filed bill of review lawsuits challenging eviction judgments, and drafted real estate documents clearing title to property for low-income homeowners. The work is fast-paced and challenging, with a great deal of client and opposing party interaction. Most cases are completed during the semester, allowing the student to see the case from beginning to end.
A weekly class is held via Zoom. Students must also spend a minimum of eight hours a week working on their clients’ cases at Legal Aid. Those hours must be spread over two or three different days during the week. Cases are reviewed and discussed in class. Classroom lectures focus on tenant rights under federal housing programs and Texas landlord-tenant statutes. Significant classroom time is also spent on how to represent clients with the highest possible quality and ethics. All credit is awarded on the pass/fail basis. Participants must have completed at least forty-three semester hours in law. Students register for Law 497C by filling out an application. The application and instructions on how to apply for this clinic can be accessed on the web.