Community Justice and Mediation Clinic
The Community Justice and Mediation Clinic puts students at the center of civil practice and community-driven dispute resolution.
Need Legal Help?
If you’re facing housing problems, foreclosure, consumer discrimination, or municipal court issues, our clinic may be able to help. We provide free legal services to qualifying low-income clients in the St. Louis area. Contact (314) 935-7238 to discuss your situation.
About the Clinic
The Clinic focuses on housing, education, and consumer discrimination, and on 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) to provide comprehensive legal services.
Practical Experience:
- Interviewing, counsel, and represent a minimum of six low-income clients
- Handling housing, foreclosure, education, consumer, and municipal court claims
- Working directly with community legal services providers
- Engaging in impact litigation and legislative advocacy
- Developing policy solutions and communication strategies
- Providing community legal education (“street law”)
- Assisting with a minimum of six mediations in St. Louis City Pro-Se Housing Court
- Participating in dispute resolution at U.S. Arbitration & Mediation
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
Clinic Faculty
Karen Tokarz
Charles Nagel Professor of Public Interest Law & Policy; Director, Negotiation & Dispute Resolution Program and Director, Community Justice & Mediation Clinic
