Consumer Financial Transactions Clinic

Course Number:
Law 488

Hours:
3

Course Type:
Upper-Level

Writing Requirement:
None

Skills Requirement?:
Yes

Final Exam?:
No

Description:

This 2-semester, 6-credit clinic will train students to be creative and effective advocates on behalf of low- and moderate-income clients who have suffered as a result of inappropriate or unfair consumer financial transactions. Much of the clinic’s work will involve representing people who homes are being foreclosed upon or are at risk of foreclosure. Students will also represent consumers in matters involving credit card debt, student loan debt, check-cashing services, and unfair debt collection practices.

The clinic’s docket will offer students a mix of experiences in business law, finance, negotiation, and litigation. Concrete tasks likely will include the forensic assessment of consumer financial transactions, counseling clients, negotiating with financial institutions, and in some cases pursuing litigation to remedy abusive practices.

In addition to their direct client representation, students enrolled in the clinic will participate in a mandatory weekly seminar meeting for which they will not earn extra credit. The seminar meetings, scheduled by mutual agreement, will cover lawyering skills and substantive consumer law and will not normally require additional work outside of class.

Prerequisites:

Instructor(s):
L. Collins Britton

Semester(s):
Fall, Spring