Community Law Clinic
The Community Law Clinic in the College of Law offers third-year law students the opportunity to provide free legal services under the guidance of a supervising attorney. As a third-year law student, you’ll work on a wide variety of legal matters, including family law issues such as divorce, child custody, child support, termination of parental rights, adoptions and guardianships. You’ll assist clients with domestic violence protection orders, advocate for tenants in landlord-tenant disputes, defending clients in consumer debt collection cases advise individuals on name changes and preparing simple wills and Powers of Attorney.
In this clinic, you’ll gain direct experience with cases that are typical of those handled by Idaho lawyers. Most of the cases are manageable within the timeframe of the clinic, but a few are more complex, offering you the chance to participate in trials that could last a week or more.
Potential clients
To receive services, individuals must first contact legalaidclinic@uidaho.edu to request an intake interview. During this interview, a third-year law student will gather information about your legal matter. Afterward, the supervising attorney will review the details and determine whether the clinic can assist you.
As an educational program, the clinic provides law students with hands-on experience in client service and legal practice. You will work directly with a third-year law student, known as a legal intern, who holds a limited license to practice law issued by the Idaho Supreme Court. The legal intern will be supervised by a licensed attorney throughout the process.
Contact legalaidclinic@uidaho.edu to request services.
Cost of services
The clinic does not charge for legal services. However, there may be costs associated with a legal matter, such as service fees, costs to publish a legal notice in the newspaper or fees to attend a court-ordered class, that you would be responsible for.
Community Law Clinic FAQ
Who does the clinic help?
The Community Law Clinic serves individuals with legal matters in Latah County and Nez Perce County with incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Does the clinic help students?
Yes, the clinic can assist students with their legal matters if they fall within the income guidelines and the types of legal issues the clinic is able to assist with.
What types of situations could the clinic help me with?
The clinic can support survivors of domestic violence or stalking by obtaining civil protection orders. It can also help with various family law matters, such as securing a divorce or child custody order. If you’re facing housing issues or disputes with a landlord, the clinic can advocate on your behalf. Additionally, the clinic can assist individuals seeking to legally change their names.
What types of situations does the clinic not help with?
The clinic does not represent students dealing with university Code of Conduct matters. The clinic also does not assist with bankruptcy, employment matters, disability rights, civil lawsuits for the recovery of money and immigration related issues.
Contact the Community Law Clinic
Contact the clinic at 208-885-6541 or legalaidclinic@uidaho.edu.
Jessica Long
Associate dean of experiential learning and clinical professor of law
208-885-7077
jessicalong@uidaho.edu
Location: Moscow