Domestic Violence Prevention Practicum

Students enrolled in this practicum represent indigent survivors of domestic violence in their requests for Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs) in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Students attend a 2-credit seminar where the following topics will be discussed: California domestic violence law and practice, best practices in serving clients (client interviewing, client counseling, culturally-sensitive lawyering, trauma-informed lawyering), child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, direct and cross examination, evidence gathering and presentation, trial advocacy, and the nexuses of domestic violence in civil, criminal, and immigration law.

Students will engage in 2 units of fieldwork at LAFLA, serving domestic violence survivors. For the first half of the semester, students will assist LAFLA attorneys in the DVRO walk-in clinic at the courthouse as they help pro per litigants complete DVRO petitions. At the midway point, students will begin to represent clients in DVRO hearings before Los Angeles Superior Court. Students will work in pairs, and if possible, each pair will take on two cases before the end of the semester if circumstances allow.