Law Clinics (Spring semester 2024) In-House and Partnership

St. John's Law School, Queens Legal Aid Society and Remote Formats | School of Law

Apply

CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION:

  • Required file uploads:  

          Cover Letter 
          Resume
          Transcript - Self-prepared or web browser generated PDF of UIS Academic Record

  • Click "Apply" then immediately enter the date before completing any other fields.
  • Please do not click "Apply with Indeed".
  • Complete all required fields and upload all required attachments (preferably in PDF).
  • Submit one application for up to 3 law clinic choices.
  • Read the auto-acknowledgement email that is sent after completion of the application.
  • Reply to the acknowledgement email if you have application or document changes, as well as if you have questions about any part of the process.
  • You may also contact Lorraine Benjamin at 718-990-6689 or benjamil@stjohns.edu

Attention:  Only the Consumer Justice for the Elderly:  Litigation Clinic has availability for the Spring 2024 semester.

 

Child Advocacy Clinic

(One semester clinic – 4 credits)

Students will represent children (newborn through 21 years of age) involved in family court and immigration court cases, in which the children are the subject of abuse or neglect allegations in New York, or are fighting deportation based on abuse or neglect in their country of origin (unaccompanied child migrants). Student caseloads typically include allegations of parental drug or alcohol abuse, physical abuse, failure to ensure school attendance, mental illness, domestic violence, and inadequate guardianship. Students appear in family courts throughout the five boroughs and Long Island, and in Immigration Court at 26 Federal Plaza. 

For more information about Child Advocacy Clinic, follow this link and right click to Open Link in New Window and view under Requirements or stop by the law clinical offices reception area in Room 2-26 to pick up a CAC Info Sheet.

 

CAC Info Sheet

 

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Consumer Justice for the Elderly:  Litigation Clinic

(One semester clinic – 4 credits)

This clinic is a civil litigation and advocacy clinic in which students represent low-income, elderly residents of Queens County who would not otherwise have access to legal representation and to guide law students in the development of their lawyering skills and professional identities, emphasizing the duty to practice ethically and in the service of justice. Students will work on all aspects of real cases involving foreclosure defense, mortgage loan modifications, deed theft, home improvement contractor fraud, and consumer debt. Students will interview and counsel clients, draft pleadings and motions, conduct discovery and appear in court.

For more information about Consumer Justice for the Elderly: Litigation Clinic, follow this link and right click to Open Link in New Window and view under Requirements or stop by the law clinical offices reception area in Room 2-26 to pick up a CJELC Info Sheet.

         

CJELC Info Sheet

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Defense and Advocacy Clinic

(One semester clinic – 4 credits)

 

 Students will represent adults charged with misdemeanors in New York City Criminal Court. Students will handle all aspects of a client’s case including interviewing clients, reading a RAP sheet, making bail arguments at arraignment, conducting investigations, litigating discovery and other pre-trial motions, interviewing witnesses, developing mitigation memos, negotiating with prosecutors and judges, conducting hearings, and advising clients regarding immigration and other collateral consequences. Students will develop skills in client-centered advocacy, learn about how racism and white supremacy are dominant forces in the criminal legal system, and will be introduced to criminal legal reform movements in New York City.

   

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Securities Arbitration Clinic

(One semester clinic – 4 credits)

Students will represent under-served investors in securities arbitration claims involving misrepresentation, unsuitability, unauthorized trading, excessive trading (“churning”), and failure to supervise, among other claims before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Students will handle all phases of the client’s case and, thus, gain valuable practical lawyering skills such as client interviewing and counseling, negotiation and advocacy, as well as substantive legal knowledge of securities laws and the securities arbitration process.

For more information about Securities Arbitration Clinic, follow this link

and right click to Open Link in New Window or stop by the law clinical offices reception area in Room 2-26 to pick up a SAC Info Sheet.

 

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Tenants’ Rights Advocacy Clinic

(One semester clinic – 4 credits)

Students will provide representation to tenants residing in Queens who are facing eviction and asserting their rights to safe and habitable conditions, proper rents, and freedom from harassment. Students will have the opportunity to engage in the various stages of litigation in the unique and dynamic environment of housing court and may also be exposed to administrative actions and Supreme Court practice.  Students will interview clients and develop legal strategies to address the range of issues faced by tenants. They will learn to navigate the complex field of New York landlord-tenant law by attending court, negotiating with opposing counsel, conducting legal research, and drafting motions and complaints. In addition, students may have the opportunity to represent both individual clients and groups of tenants seeking redress for violations of their rights.

The clinic will be a partnership between St. John’s Law School and The Legal Aid Society’s Queens Neighborhood Office (QNO). 

 

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Please read the Clinic Withdrawal Policy below:
Notwithstanding the deadlines and rules for dropping or withdrawing from other classes, once an offer to participate in a clinic is accepted, a student may not withdraw and/or drop the clinic without the consent of the Professor and the Associate Dean for Student Services. (This provision does not apply to students who defer acceptance.)  Withdrawal from a clinic is reserved for extraordinary personal or family circumstances that prevent a student from meeting the clinic's requirements.  Such extaordinary circumstances include, but are not limited to, serious illness of the student or death of a close family member.  Notice of this rule shall be published in the Student Handbook, clinic registration materials, and provided to each student who is made an offer to join a clinic.
 
You may also contact me directly, 
Lorraine Benjamin at 718-990-6898

 

CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION:

  • Required file uploads:  

          Cover Letter 
          Resume
          Transcript - Self-prepared or web browser generated PDF of UIS Academic Record

  • Click "Apply" then immediately enter the date before completing any other fields.
  • Please do not click "Apply with Indeed".
  • Complete all required fields and upload all required attachments (preferably in PDF).
  • Submit one application for up to 3 law clinic choices.
  • Read the auto-acknowledgement email that is sent after completion of the application.
  • Reply to the acknowledgement email if you have application or document changes, as well as if you have questions about any part of the process.
  • You may also contact Lorraine Benjamin at 718-990-6898 or benjamil@stjohns.edu