Northern Illinois University
College of Law

Professor	Wendy Vaughn, Clinical Associate Professor
Registering	Register on MyNIU just as you do for other courses. After registering on MyNIU: Complete a Clinic Information Form for scheduling purposes Complete an application for a 711 License See the Clinical Program website for instructions for completing both forms.
Credits and Grading	4 credits Pass/Fail
Max. Enrollment	8 students
Prerequisites	Professional Responsibility (643) and Introduction to Lawyering Skills (720) (both may be taken concurrently with the Clinic)
Recommended Courses	Evidence (655), Family Law (610),  Trusts and Estates (620)
711 Requirement	Students must be eligible for an Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 License, which requires completion of 45 credits and Dean’s approval. See the Clinical Program website for instructions for applying for a 711 License.
Orientation Requirement	Students must attend an all day orientation to the clinical program on the Thursday prior to the Fall semester and on the Friday prior to the Spring semester.  You will be notified of the orientation date after registration. Clinic orientation is not required for the Summer semester.
Seminar Class Component	During the Fall and Spring semesters, the seminar meets once each week for one hour and fifty minutes on Monday afternoons. During the Summer semester, the seminar meets on Wednesday afternoons for the equivalent of two class periods.
Clinical Component	Students are required to be in the clinic all day on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays. Fridays are the slowest court days, so Tuesdays or Thursdays are best. During the Fall and Spring semesters, students are required to work a minimum of 12 hours each week on client related matters.  Students must be present at the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic in Rockford a minimum of 8 hours per week (one full day or two half days) for intakes, court appearances, client matters and supervision meetings. Up to four students may work at the Clinic on any given day. During the Summer semester, students are required to work a minimum of 24 hours each week on client related matters. Students must be present at the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic in Rockford a minimum of 16 hours per week (two full days or four half days) for intake interviews, court appearances, client matters, and supervisions. Up to four students may work at the clinic on any given day. You will be notified of your clinic hours after registration.
Additional Clinic Hours	Students must be available to work on behalf of clients at additional times to meet the total clinic hour requirement each week and to meet the needs of the clients. These hours may be completed from campus or elsewhere, and do not necessarily need to be at the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic.

Description

Students in the Civil Justice Clinic engage in client-centered lawyering on behalf of senior citizens and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who reside in Winnebago County, Illinois.

The Civil Justice Clinic represents seniors age 60 or above, as well as individuals with disabilities, who are the victims of elder abuse and/or financial exploitation in order of protection matters. Students will draft estate-planning documents such as Wills and Powers of Attorney for their clients.

Students will represents survivors of abuse seeking Domestic Violence Orders of Protection, Civil No Contact Orders, Stalking No Contact Orders, and Crime Victims' Compensation. Students may represent clients in related civil matters involving family law issues such as child custody and child support, as well as advocate for their client's rights under the Illinois Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) and the Illinois Safe Homes Act. Students will collaborate with local social services providers and public agencies serve the needs of their clients.

Students will develop a variety of practical skills and gain valuable legal experience handling civil legal matters on behalf of their clients. Students will gain transactional experience and develop interviewing, client counseling, fact investigation, legal research, and writing skills while developing substantive knowledge of elder law, domestic violence, and family law. While at the Civil Justice Clinic, students will gain litigation experience and develop trial preparation, negotiation, and written and oral advocacy skills by representing clients in cases involving orders of protection, family law, and other civil issues on behalf of their clients. While at the Civil Justice Clinic, students will have many opportunities to apply the Illinois civil procedure, evidentiary rules, and the rules of professional conduct through their representation of individual clients.

Students in the Civil Justice Clinic will serve the needs of a diverse population of clients and will be exposed to the multiple issues and challenges faced by their clients, many of whom live in poverty. Through their experiences working with clients in the Clinic, students will develop cultural sensitivity and awareness, as well as empathy and professionalism.