Course Information
The Poverty Law & Policy Clinic (PLPC) is an important opportunity for law students who want to learn about lawyering work that goes beyond traditional types of litigation-based lawyering that is emphasized in law school. PLPC Certified Student Attorneys engage in the kind of legal and policy work done by government lawyers, lawyers at legal services providers, lawyers in house or pro bono for non-profit entities, law/policy consultants, and lawyers in any field as part of their pro bono service. The clinic works with government agencies, elected officials, advocacy organizations, community groups, nonprofits, and others. With an emphasis on proactive networking, the clinic connects Certified Student Attorneys students with decision makers and government officials. Guest speakers in the seminar portion of the clinic include supreme court justices and other members of the judiciary, elected officials at the state, county, and local levels, government lawyers and public interest attorneys, subject-matter experts, and others.
The PLPC provides an immersive hands-on experience in which Certified Student Attorneys combine classroom-based learning with supervised practice. The PLPC introduces student attorneys to non-litigation government and public interest lawyering, further developing their specialized knowledge and skills to be made available to the clients and the community. Students receive intensive training before classes begin so that they are able to hit the ground running. Geared for individuals who would like to learn more about how the government works or are in government or public interest work, PLPC Certified Student Attorneys actively engage in understanding the complexities of how law and policy intersect.
- Assisting seniors with the Southern Nevada Senior Law Program
- Boyd Law Day at the Capitol, Nevada Legislature in Carson City
- Court observation in Chief Judge Belinda T. Harris’ Courtroom at the North Las Vegas Justice Court
- Court observations in Las Vegas Municipal Court’s specialty courts
- Meeting with the Las Vegas City Attorney and touring the Las Vegas Municipal Court
- Meeting with the Mayor of Las Vegas and touring Las Vegas City Hall
- Site visit to learn about short-term Clark County transitional housing facilities
- Site visit to learn about medium-term Clark County transitional housing facilities
- Tabling as part of Channel 13’s Fighting Together event bringing the clinic to the people
- Testifying before the Nevada Legislatures Joint Interim Standing Committee on Growth and Infrastructure
- Volunteering as a group at Catholic Charities
- Volunteering as a group at the Just One Project
- Volunteering as a group at Three Square
