The Child and Family Justice Clinic at the University of Missouri School of Law reopened last year, providing law students with hands-on experience representing real clients in sensitive legal matters. The clinic, formerly known as the Family Violence Clinic, allows students to handle about 25 cases each semester, providing crucial legal services to individuals in Boone County court cases.
Students at the clinic work in pairs and are Rule 13 certified, allowing them to advise clients, draft legal documents, and represent clients in court under the supervision of a licensed attorney. The clinic provides support for individuals involved in family law issues, particularly those related to domestic relations, and operates from an empowerment model, respecting clients’ decisions and providing necessary information for them to make informed choices.
The clinic offers students the opportunity to develop skills in active listening, empathy, and advocacy, with a focus on understanding and responding to the needs of individuals who have survived trauma. Law students like Erika LeFauve and Mariana Larson have found the experience at the clinic to be impactful, reinforcing their passion for providing high-quality legal services to those in need and building confidence in their abilities to communicate with clients, attorneys, and the courts.
