The Lobeck Taylor Community Advocacy Clinic (CAC) trains future lawyers and promotes access to justice in two ways: by representing client organizations in systemic advocacy projects and by representing individual clients in cases before state courts and administrative agencies. Students represent client organizations in the fall semester and individual clients in the spring semester (students are required to have a Legal Intern License for spring only).
Note: The CAC is not offered every semester.
Community-based work
The CAC’s work is driven by the goals and needs identified by its clients and partners in the community. This work challenges students to reflect critically on their role in the justice system and teaches them how to effectively and responsibly advocate for clients and communities.
Learn more about the CAC’s work in the community.
Prerequisites
Projects (fall semester)
- Must be 2nd- or 3rd-year student
- Must have completed (or be concurrently enrolled in) Professional Responsibility
Cases (spring semester)
- Must be 2nd- or 3rd-year student
- Must have completed (or be concurrently enrolled in) Professional Responsibility and Evidence
- Must have an Oklahoma Legal Intern License
Lawyers as problem-solvers
In the CAC, students solve problems for their clients inside and outside the courtroom. Students manage cases from beginning to end, including interviewing and counseling clients, developing factual and legal arguments, negotiating with opposing parties, drafting and arguing motions, and handling bench trials. In past semesters, students have represented victims of intimate partner violence, harassment, and stalking in protective order cases in Tulsa County District Court and disabled children in social security benefits cases. Additional practice areas may be added in the future.
In the CAC, students develop strengths in legal analysis, argument, and strategic thinking in the context of ongoing litigation. Students learn essential elements of legal practice, including client interviewing and counseling, fact investigation, witness preparation, negotiation, oral advocacy, drafting and arguing motions, examining witnesses, and presenting evidence. Students also develop their understanding of professional responsibility as they grapple with ethical issues that arise in legal practice.
The seminar component
All students attend a weekly seminar where they learn substantive law, reflect on the challenges of legal practice, assist one another with case development, and practice essential lawyering skills. The vast majority of seminar time involves simulation exercises, collaborative work, and other interactive learning methods. The seminar covers areas including but not limited to:
- Substantive Law
- Evidentiary Rules and Court Procedure
- Local Judicial and Legal Systems
- Professional Ethics
- Client and Witness Interviewing
- Fact Investigation and Development
- Client Counseling and Communication
- Negotiation
- Professional Communication and Collaboration Skills
- Litigation Skills and Trial Advocacy: Case Theory, Trial Planning, Opening and Closing Statements, Direct and Cross Examination, Oral Argument, and Motions Practice