Community Justice and Mediation Clinic

About the Clinic

The Clinic focuses on housing, education and consumer discrimination; public benefits; and municipal court reform, including discrimination in fines, fees, bail, and driver’s license suspensions. Clinic students work in collaboration with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) and the St. Louis Mediation Project to provide comprehensive legal services.

Practical Experience:

• Interviewing, counsel, and representing low-income clients
• Handling housing, evictions, public benefits, education, consumer, and municipal court claims
• Working directly with community legal services providers
• Engaging in impact litigation, legislative advocacy, and media advocacy
• Developing policy solutions and communication strategies
• Providing community legal education (“street law”)
• Assisting with mediations in St. Louis County Pro-Se Housing Court
• Participating in mediations at Miles Mediation & Arbitration

Student Outcomes

Past clinic students report gains in a variety of key areas, including:

• Writing clearly and effectively
• Solving complex real-world problems
• Improving client advocacy and dispute resolution skills
• Contributing to the welfare of the community
• Understanding people of different racial and class backgrounds
• Working collaboratively with professionals from other disciplines
• Learning effectively on one’s own through reflective practice
• Developing a professional identity