Center for the Bill of Rights, Civil Rights Litigation Clinic
Students in the Center for the Bill of Rights (CBR) are trained in case
intake and interviewing, client counseling, fact investigation, case
analysis, negotiation, research, drafting of memos and other pleadings
and documents. Cases are selected from a broad range of potential
referral sources.
The leading referral sources for the CBR cases is the Pittsburgh Chapter of
the NAACP.
Partnership with Pittsburgh Chapter of the NAACP
A signature relationship has been developed with the Pittsburgh
Chapter of the NAACP. In this innovative partnership, NAACP staff
and volunteers will work with the CBR clinic students and the supervising
attorney to create a comprehensive intake and referral system
for civil rights and other legal complaints. Students will prepare
and conduct training sessions for the NAACP on the application of a
refined and systemized intake and referral process. Any potentially
viable civil rights complaints identified through this process will be
referred to the CBR Clinic or when necessary to other appropriate
sources for assistance.
Student Requirements
Students in the CBR Clinic will also participate in weekly classroom
sessions addressing applicable substantive and procedural law related
to civil rights litigation. Qualified students may also have the opportunity
to argue motions and appear at hearings.
This is a semester-long clinic, offered in both Spring and Fall semesters. Students may take the clinic for one or two semesters
Second, third and fourth year students in good standing are eligible to take the clinic. The clinic will be limited to 8 students each semester.
In addition to attendance at weekly meetings, students must commit to spending an average of 10 hours per week over 14 weeks on clinic matters.
Three credits (one academic credit and two clinical credits) will be awarded each semester. The clinic is graded pass-fail.
