Children's Rights Clinic

Students in the Children’s Rights Clinic represent children in administrative, school disciplinary, and juvenile court proceedings, ensuring they have a voice in matters of great importance to their wellbeing and future. 

Children's Rights Clinic

The Children's Rights Clinic is a semester-long course in which students have the opportunity to engage in children’s rights advocacy, including direct representation of children in administrative, school disciplinary, and juvenile court proceedings. Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will be responsible for all aspects of representing their clients, including interviewing and counseling clients, engaging in fact investigation, conducting legal research, negotiating with the opposing party, drafting litigation documents, and appearing in juvenile court or other adjudicative bodies.

Additionally, students will participate in a community education project or support an advocacy effort aimed at improving outcomes for children.

Through case rounds, a mandatory weekly seminar, and their case and project work, clinic students learn to work collaboratively, practice self-regulated learning and self-reflection, synthesize facts and legal principles, and develop transferrable lawyering skills. Students who successfully complete their first semester may take a second semester of clinic with faculty permission.

Requirements:

Evidence (Law 113) and Ethics and Professional Responsibility (Law 114) as pre or co-requsites. Limited to students who are eligible to receive a student practice license in Iowa.

Faculty

Nickole Miller, Director of the Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights; Assistant Professor of Law
(515) 271-1809; nickole.miller@drake.edu

Additional Information

Middleton Center for Children's Rights