Programs

Students represent elderly clients in negotiations, administrative hearings, and court proceedings on a variety of legal matters, including basic wills and powers of attorney, guardianships, consumer issues, Medicaid and Medicare benefits, nursing home regulation and quality of long-term care, elder abuse and neglect, and advance medical directives. Students develop practical skills by participating in client interviewing, counseling, and trial advocacy. Students may engage in policy analysis and advocacy work with partnering organizations including including the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA), the Legal Aid Justice Center, the Virginia Elder Rights Coalition, and the Senior Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association.

This clinic provides students the opportunity to assist in litigating a capital habeas case, and gain intensive experience handling certain phases of post-conviction litigation. The clinic is centered around cases assigned to the Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center.

The UVa Center for Children, Families, and the Law hosts an annual conference on policy and legal issues related to children and families.

Students represent low-income children involved in legal issues in the areas of education, foster care and social services, mental health and developmental disabilities, and laws governing services to children who have been found delinquent.

Founded by law students at the University of Virginia eight years ago, the Conference on Public Service and the Law brings together students, faculty, attorneys, and policymakers to explore public interest issues facing today's legal community. Past conferences have drawn more than 500 law students and close to 100 panelists from across the country.

The semester-long Criminal Defense Clinic is designed to provide a first-hand, experience-based study of the processes, techniques, strategy and responsibilities of legal representation at the trial level.

The Diversity and Advocacy Program teaches U.Va. students to create change in self, community, and the world through rigorous academic coursework and unique practical experience. The three components of this program celebrate equity, diversity, and inclusiveness on the local and global levels. First, the Diversity and Advocacy Program gives students the opportunity to work in a non-profit, feminist organization within a university context via an internship in the Women’s Center. Students organize the legal clinic, assist in designing and maintaining websites, organize signature events, and support our communications, marketing, and publicity efforts. Second, the Women’s Center sponsors numerous Signature Events that address gender issues, showcase women’s leadership, and celebrate women’s accomplishments. Third, the Global Women and Change Initiative connects U.Va. students with activists from around the world, and provides students with the tools to become knowledgeable about global women's activism.

Students in the Employment Law Clinic work on employment cases in cooperation with the Legal Aid Justice Center and local attorneys.

In collaboration with the Legal Aid Justice Center, law students in this yearlong clinic provide free representation to poor individuals and families who experience legal problems connected with public benefit programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, TANF/VIEW, SSI/Social Security, childcare subsidies, foster care assistance, adoption assistance, and auxiliary grants.

The Forensic Child Psychiatry Clinic at the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy provides clinical evaluation services.