National Jurist - February 2008 - (Page 19) ing with a defense under the Americans with Disabilities Act. “They get a really deep understanding of some areas of sports law because we dig into some unique matters,” Straubel said. One school is even making clinical experience mandatory. Students at Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in Central Islip, N.Y., must participate in a new Court Observation Program, visiting state courthouses during their first semester and federal court in their second semester. After observing court proceedings — such as arraignments, oral arguments, motions, and jury selection — students meet in small groups with faculty, judges and lawyers to discuss what they observed. At many schools, clinics offer an oppor- tunity to help a specific group that has been wronged or needs legal help. The Veterans’ Law Clinic at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego lets students help veterans with a broad range of services, said associate professor Steve Berenson, who is in charge of the clinic. Students have assisted with benefits claims, helped reestablish visitation rights and relationships with veterans’ children, and assisted with getting old convictions expunged to make veterans more prepared for employment. At John Marshall Law School, students in the Fair Housing Legal Clinic represent individuals who have been denied housing in violation of federal, state or local laws against discrimination. Clinic participants draft pleadings and motions, conduct discovery and assist at trial and during settlement discussions. Clinic directors said the most important thing they look for in student participants is dedication. With clinics — when real clients’ legal problems are on the line — students can’t just “take the C,” Berenson said. “All I’m looking for at this stage is a commitment to accept the responsibilities of real-life lawyering.” Law students who participate in clinics can gain valuable experience in drafting, research, writing and advocacy. And they allow students to experience the satisfaction of helping people who need it. “The clinic offers an opportunity [for students] to act on their beliefs,” Tutchton said. “It reminds them why they went to law school.” Citi’s student loans are created with one person in mind: the student. Setting your sights. Never looking back. That’s why we continue to offer not only a full range of loan products, but also opportunities to save during repayment. With our best-in-class service, we can help assist in making the most of your loans in law school and beyond. TO LEARN MORE OR APPLY FOR YOUR CITIASSIST BAR EXAM LOAN, VISIT STUDENTLOAN.COM/LAW ©2008 The Student Loan Corporation. The Student Loan Corporation is a subsidiary of Citibank, N.A. Citi, and Citi with Arc Design are registered service marks of Citigroup Inc. Let’s Get it Done is a service mark of Citigroup Inc. February 2008 THE NATIONAL JURIST 19 http://STUDENTLOAN.COM/LAW http://STUDENTLOAN.COM/LAW
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