IMPLEMENTING A LAW SCHOOL-BASED STREET
LAW PROGRAM
Street Law recommends that law schools implement
credit-bearing Street Law programs when possible. Generally,
credit-bearing programs are more likely to become institutionalized,
provide quality training and supervision, and gain recognition
as an important opportunity for law student professional
development.
The following information is geared toward
starting a credit-bearing program, but much of the information
will be applicable to the creation of pro bono, volunteer,
law school group-sponsored, and other models.
Checklist for Getting Street Law Started
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Attract a visionary- convince
a respected faculty member, a key community player, a
local politician, or a respected alum of the importance
of Street Law.
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Win law school support- recruit
key law school players to endorse Street Law as vital
component of student professional development
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Win community support - gain the
support of the local school board or other educational
entity or a locally respected figure to demonstrate that
the law school will be filling a critical community need
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Identify program settings- select
high schools (or other sites) for program participation;
think strategically about how site selection
can enhance law school commitment; e.g., sites in close
proximity to the school will make the law school
a "good" neighbor
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Select
curriculum- consult with educators to determine
the needs of the sites, and the role of state core
learning goals, also consider the needs of the law
students and then select curriculum
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Secure funding- advocate for the
law school to cover the costs of the program; e.g., professor's
salary, office space
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Provide quality training- create
training opportunities that provide law students with
a substantive understanding of the law and opportunities
to learn how to use interactive teaching methods
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Work toward institutionalization of
the program- plan and set program goals so that Street
Law becomes a permanent part of the law school
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