Columbus Community Legal Services (CCLS) provides students an opportunity to engage in self-directed, hands-on learning, enhance their analytical rigor, navigate substantive law, and provide high-quality services to individual clients and the community. Unlike in other externship programs, CCLS students gain first-chair experience and take full responsibility for advancing their clients’ cases. Certified under the court rules, students perform all of the tasks that licensed attorneys are authorized to perform, including researching and writing briefs, drafting wills and settlement agreements, arguing motions, interviewing and counseling clients, negotiating with opposing parties and counsel, presenting community legal education programs, conducting depositions and trials, and preparing immigration applications. CCLS supervisors serve as a resource to students and provide guidance and feedback along the way.

  • Pre-registration

    Students are selected by CCLS through a pre-registration procedure that seeks to ensure all interested students an opportunity to participate in a clinic at some point in their law school career. Prospective candidates should download and complete the pre-registration form and return it to CCLS' offices on the first floor prior to the pre-registration deadline. All candidates will be notified of their selection status prior to the commencement of general course registration.

  • Prerequisites

    All upper division students are eligible to enroll and receive credit in CCLS. However, only students who have completed 28 credits hours may be certified to argue before a judge pursuant to Rule 48 of the D.C. Rules of Superior Court and Rule 16 of The Court of Appeals of Maryland. Students who are not eligible for certification may still participate in all other practical components of the course, including interviews and counseling sessions with actual clients, negotiations with opposing parties, and drafting briefs and pleadings.

  • Credits and Time Commitment

    CCLS Students may choose to enroll for five, or six credits and should expect to commit between 16 to 20 hours per week to the clinic (which includes classtime).

  • Upper Division Writing Requirement

    Participation in a clinic at CCLS can satisfy the upper division writing portfolio requirement. Students interested in pursuing this option should speak with their supervisor as early as possible to begin creating an appropriate body of written work.

  • Professional Skills Requirement

    Per the American Bar Association requirement that all students take at least one professional skills course prior to graduation, enrollment in a CCLS clinical program satisfies this requirement.

  • Additional Semesters

    After completing one semester at CCLS, students may return for an additional semester, earning three credits, with the supervising attorney's permission.

  • Application Materials