The Community Lawyering in Education Clinic (CLEC) provides legal work, technical assistance, and education to community organizers in Los Angeles who are working towards systemic change in public education. The Clinic is designed for students who are interested in community lawyering or movement lawyering, but who may or may not have familiarity with its key concepts and methods. The Clinic provides students an opportunity to develop lawyering skills, engage in multi-modal community advocacy, and work in coalition with some of the nation’s premier legal service organizations and organizers.

In Spring 2024, the Clinic will provide limited-scope representation to CADRE, a Los Angeles-based parent organizing collective. Students will work on one of two clinic projects that support CADRE’s work. The first challenges the use of predictive algorithms in Los Angeles County’s child welfare system. The second project challenges the targeting of low income people of color for involvement in the child welfare system through mandated reporting laws.

Students will build relationships with organizers, draft legal memos and documents, practice oral advocacy skills, write reports, and deepen their knowledge of critical theory through readings and class discussions.

For Spring 2024, students who have an interest or background in technology, education, and child welfare/family policing are especially encouraged to apply.