Applied Learning Experiences

It is often in the clinical and applied experiences that students and the community at large reap the greatest benefit.  Applied learning opportunities provide students with hands-on legal training to enrich their educational experience and the community benefits from the enhanced services that result from the work product of the students.

Children's Rights and Family Law Clinic

Students represent real clients with needs that would otherwise go unserved in family law matters.  Students work on cases involving divorces, orders of protection, proceedings to modify or enforce child support orders, special education, school suspension and disciplinary hearings, housing accessability, civil rights of children, emancipation, public benefits, guardianship and AIDS.  Students assist with the representation of children and families in administrative hearings, provide non-litigation advocacy and engage in educational outreach to low-income sectors of the local community.

Externships (family law related)

Students work in partnership with Family Court, Legal Aid Society, and the Department of Social Services to provide much-needed legal services including interviewing, counseling, research and writing. 

Family Law Pro Bono Service

This course provides students with the opportunity to work with actual family law problems, especially those involving low-income persons, and to provide much needed services to the community. Students assist pro bono and legal service providers with client intake and pro se divorce clinics, as well as develop training and other materials.

Syracuse Medical-Legal Partnership

This program is co-sponsored by the Family Law and Social Policy Center (FLSPC), the Children's Rights and Family Law Clinic (CRC) and the Upstate Pediatrics and Adolescent Center (UPAC) of University Hospital and Upstate Medical University. Students have the opportunity to become fellows for this program and assist with intake and case management for families referred to this program.  Learn more about SMLP by visiting the program page.