Teaching/Motivating Direct Representation in Tumultuous Times

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Session Type: Concurrent Sessions

Session Capacity: N/A

Location: N/A

Room: Harborside Ballroom A-C

Floor: Fourth Floor

It is a particularly challenging moment to be introducing law students to the representation of individual, low-income litigants who are enmeshed in oppressive government systems. Yet the need for zealous, ethical, and creative civil legal services lawyers and public defenders remains pressing. This session, led by clinicians and a legal fellow who teach direct-representation clinics, will explore the challenges and opportunities that exist as we introduce students to the joy, frustration, and importance of advocating for indigent clients. As we reexamine the role of lawyers and the responsibilities of clinical teachers, join us to consider: How can we engage with law students who view individual client representation with skepticism, whether because they don’t see it as social movement work or because they feel it is futile? Can we combine a critical, social justice lens with teaching the nuts-and-bolts litigation skills needed to be effective in the courtroom? How might we facilitate constructive discussions among clinic students when some have lived experiences of systemic injustice (which they may or may not wish to share with their colleagues) and others do not? Can we provide clinical opportunities that inspire students dealing with profound feelings of hopelessness even while being clear-eyed about the extent to which lawyers are agents of change?