What We Really Want Students to Learn Supervision in the Clinic Setting: What We Really Want Students to Learn Doug Ferguson

The supervisor, as guide and role model, should seek to be: thoughtful; insightful; measured-to-person, need and context; learned; holistic; and above all, constructively helpful. - Neil Gold

Community Legal Services 125 students per academic year 800-1,000 files per year Full representation including trials

Services Offered at CLS Criminal law Wills and powers of attorney Small Claims Court Landlord and tenant Immigration Public legal education Human rights Family law Academic appeals Mediation Intellectual property

Clinical Courses Litigation Practice – 3-5 files Criminal Law Advocacy – 3-5 files CLS Internship – 10-12 files

Student Autonomy Students are responsible for all aspects of a file, under the close supervision of a clinic lawyer Supervision designed to protect/serve clients while supporting student autonomy and learning

Compliance Can law students represent clients and appear in court? Rules for supervisor responsibilities Ultimate responsibility of supervising lawyer

Supervision Strategies Training sessions at beginning of term Student responsibilities Legal research and theory of the case Effective communication and writing

Supervision Strategies Trial and hearing preparation Ethics and professional responsibility Debriefing and next steps How do we keep track?

Supervision Strategies What are your clinic’s supervision strategies? Do you have any issues arising from supervision?

Keeping Track Incoming/outgoing documents Weekly progress reports Dockets Duty hours Regular meetings

Keeping Track Technology Student supervisors Staff meetings Future court appearances BF/tickler system

Keeping Track How does your clinic keep track of student activity on client files?

Classroom Components Lectures Simulations Ethical problems Access to justice

Student Resources Online materials with a simulation case “Going Broke with Coke” Caseworker manual Policies and procedures

What We Want Students to Learn Applying theory to real life File management Time management Advocacy skills Sensitivity to client needs Accountability and responsibility Dealing with ethical issues Importance of access to justice

Thank you!