Mission Statement

The Domestic Violence Law Clinic of the James E. Rogers College of Law, The University of Arizona is dedicated to providing a quality, supervised learning environment for senior law students engaged in the practice of law on behalf of victims of domestic violence. We are dedicated to defending the rights of victims of domestic violence within the justice system with integrity. We seek to empower clients by encouraging their active participation, when safe, at every stage of the the legal process. We participate in and support community collaborations with legal and social service agencies dedicated to addressing the needs of families plagued by domestic violence.

About the Clinic

• The Domestic Violence Law Clinic is a teaching law office within a law school. The Clinic offers free advice and legal representation to survivors of domestic abuse.
• Senior law students represent clinic clients pursuant to Arizona Supreme Court Rule 38(e).
• All work is supervised by a law school faculty member acting as the Clinic Director and a panel of volunteer attorneys through the Volunteer Lawyers Program at Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc.
• Masters of Social Work students from the Arizona State University, School of Social Work participate in the clinic and are part of the legal team. The MSW students provide clients with social service referrals and aid law students with case strategy.
• Clients are interviewed on-site at The Brewster Center and the Tucson Centers for Women and Children on a weekly basis. At each interview, clients are provided with legal advice and referrals to social services.
• A decision regarding the provision of legal representation in court proceedings is made after consultation with the Clinic Director according to Clinic eligibility standards.

Clinic Cases

• Contested Order of Protection hearings to ensure that the Order is upheld without modifications that pose a risk to the the safety of the survivor.
• Criminal Defense representation for survivors who have used methods of self-protection against their abusers and are subsequently arrested by police and charged with domestic violence crimes.
• Victim Representation pursuant to the Arizona Victims Bill of Rights to aid victims in asserting their rights during criminal prosecution of their abusers.
• Contested divorce and child custody proceedings,in a limited circumstance, the Clinic is able to provide legal representation when the welfare of the children is at risk due to domestic violence in the home.