Columbus School of Law

 FAQ - CCLS

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING
ENROLLMENT IN ONE OF THE CCLS CLINICS

Columbus Community Legal Services (CCLS) consists of three distinct in-house, live-client clinics: Advocacy for the Elderly; the Families and the Law Clinic; and the General Practice Clinic. Below are some of the frequently asked questions regarding enrollment in one of the CCLS clinics. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call the CCLS office (319-6788).

What are the requirements for a student to gain special admission to practice under the local student practice rule? Rule 48 of the D.C. Court of Appeals governs the requirements for law students who seek special admission to engage in the limited practice of law. In general, the rule requires that the Rule 48 law student applicant have successfully completed course work in Civil Procedure, Evidence, Criminal Procedure and 41 semester credit hours. However, for the last several years and upon motion of CCLS, the Court has waived the Criminal Procedure course requirement because CCLS does not represent people on criminal law matters.

To take one of the CCLS clinics, do you have to be eligible for certification under the local student practice rule? No. In order to enroll in one of the CCLS clinics, a student does not have to be eligible for certification under Rule 48, the student practice rule. While students who are eligible under the rule cannot present cases in Superior Court, they will be able to handle all other aspects of their clients' cases. For example, they will interview and counsel clients, engage in informal and formal discovery, negotiate with opposing counsel, and be present at counsel table during the actual trial. Moreover, uncertified students are able to represent clients in administrative hearings before government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration.

Can first-semester, second-year day students enroll in CCLS? Yes, first-semester, second-year day students are welcome to enroll in the General Practice Clinic or the Families and the Law Clinic (FALC). Although they will not be able to present cases in Superior Court, they will be able to handle all other aspects of their clients' cases.

Must I have already taken Family Law or any other course? No, there are no course prerequisites for enrollment in any of the CCLS clinics. While it can be very helpful to have taken Family Law or Evidence, we have made a conscious decision to have no prerequisites. We have designed each of the clinic seminars with the assumption that we will need to cover the basics in all the areas of our practice. Students in the clinic have relatively few cases in order to allow for time to plan, research and discuss with their supervisors all aspects of their cases.

Is there a danger in waiting until the last semester of my third year to enroll in CCLS? Yes, if you wait until the last semester of your last year to try to enroll in one of the CCLS clinics, you take a risk that you may be bumped from enrollment in CCLS. Traditionally, more students compete for the limited spots available in CCLS during the spring semester of their third year. Thus, by waiting until that time to enroll, you risk the chance that you will be precluded from registering due to the large number of your other colleagues who are also attempting to register for the clinic.

What are the benefits of enrolling in one of the CCLS clinics? Enrollment in one of the CCLS clinics allows you the opportunity to put theory into practice and to learn by doing. Not only is there a substantial benefit to you and the clients whom you represent, but employers like to see that, during your law school career, you have gained experience by representing real clients on real cases.

Are there special course scheduling issues that I should consider prior to making a commitment to enroll in any of the CCLS clinics? Students who wish to enroll in the Families and the Law Clinic (FALC) should make every effort to keep their Thursdays clear for the scheduling of court hearings and other FALC activities. Students, considering any of the CCLS clinics, should think carefully before deciding to enroll in an additional clinic or externship course at the same time as their enrollment in a CCLS clinic.