Semester requirement: 1
Credits: 3

SITE DESCRIPTION

Students participating in the domestic violence externship will be trained and certified to advocate for victims of domestic violence who are seeking Temporary Protective orders pursuant to the Family Violence Act. The students will assist victims in drafting their petitions, appear with them at their ex parte hearings before the presiding judge, assist them in filing the petitions and in delivering them to the sheriff's office for service. After service upon the defendant, the students will accompany the victims to the second hearing, assist them in presenting their cases before the Court, draft the final Protective Orders and ensure that the Orders provide for the safety of the client and her children. It is expected that the students will spend approximately 2/3 of their time in the courthouse and courtroom.

Students will also be responsible for following up with the clients to determine if there has been additional violence and if the client needs further relief from the judicial system and will assist them as needed. Finally, the students will perform an assessment of the client’s other civil legal needs (i.e. landlord tenant, consumer, health care etc.) and will make referrals to AVLF’s other projects or to Atlanta Legal Aid as appropriate. 

AVLF will provide approximately 12 hours of training per semester.

STUDENT QUALIFICATIONS

Prerequisites: None

Preferences:

• Second year students are eligible
• Third year students will be given preference
• Ability to be sworn in under the Third Year Practice Act, if eligible. The Third Year Practice Act requires that the student (1) be in good academic standing (at least 2.3 GPA), (2) have earned at least two-thirds  (58 hours) of the J.D. rerquirements in not fewer than four semesters or six quarters of residence, and (3) be of good moral character.

NO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS