Practicum Courses
In UCLA Law’s practicum courses, students learn a discrete area of law from expert faculty and deepen their learning through engagement in practical fieldwork. Practicums integrate common field placements at non-profit organizations or government agencies, where students apply what they learn in the classroom to real legal challenges.
Practicum Courses
The civil rights litigation practicum prepares students to litigate civil rights cases and appreciate the role of litigation in broader efforts to improve government accountability. Students will tackle questions of litigation strategy, practice litigation drafting skills, and work in teams on civil rights cases in collaboration with plaintiffs’ attorneys in solo practices, small firm settings, and non-profit organizations.
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.
Law, Organizing, & Low-Wage Workers Practicum
Students develop a theoretical and practical understanding of the labor movement and learn the various elements of a successful organizing drive. In partnership with UNITE HERE Local 11, students will gain experience in working as community lawyers in the labor movement, and in using the law creatively to organize and represent low-wage workers.
Students learn, from start to finish, how to bring voting rights lawsuits in state and federal court. In partnership with UCLA’s Voting Rights Project, students will investigate cities, counties, school districts, and other political subdivisions within the western United States that may be candidates for voting rights advocacy and litigation. Working on interdisciplinary teams and supervised by voting rights experts, students will learn every aspect of a voting rights suit.
