In the Civil & Consumer Protection Field Clinic, students work individually and in teams to represent low-income Cook County residents in consumer protection matters through a yearlong placement with Legal Aid Chicago, a nonprofit that has provided legal services to people with limited resources for more than 50 years. Students spend at least seven hours per week at Legal Aid Chicago during the fall and spring semesters, handling cases involving debt collection defense, consumer fraud, homeownership, bankruptcy and student loan issues.
What You’ll Do
- Represent clients in four to eight consumer protection matters, depending on the duration and complexity of each case
- Handle issues involving debt collection defense, consumer fraud, homeownership, bankruptcy and student loan issues
- Interview and counsel clients
- Develop case plans and legal strategies
- Investigate witnesses and facts
- Prepare legal documents
- Negotiate settlements
- Appear in court
Support for the Clinic
Donor support helps the Clinic expand legal services for clients while strengthening the clinical learning experience for our students.