FAIR HOUSING LEGAL CLINIC

Clinical Professors

Damian Ortiz

Lewis W. Powell III (Adjunct)

Clinical Attorneys

James Whiteside

Testing Coordinator

Lillian Seymore

About the Clinic

As part of its Fair Housing Legal Support Center, the law school operates the Fair Housing Legal Clinic, where students represent clients in the Chicago metropolitan area who have been denied housing because of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, marital status, age, source of income or sexual orientation. As a prerequisite to working in the clinic, students must take a two-hour seminar on fair housing law and practice. In addition to educating students on the substance of fair housing law, the clinic offers students an opportunity to participate in federal and state court litigation and administrative proceedings. Students draft pleadings, prepare motions, participate in hearings for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, conduct discovery and assist in trials and hearings or possibly appeals.

Counseling

Persons in the Chicago metropolitan area who are in need of legal assistance because of a discriminatory housing practice can contact the Clinic by phone (312) 786-2267 or by email.

Student Internships

Students participating in John Marshall's Fair Housing Legal Clinic begin by taking a two-hour seminar on fair housing law and practice taught by F. Willis Caruso, one of the leading authorities in fair housing law in the United States. Thereafter, students may work in the Fair Housing Clinic and receive additional academic credit. In addition to learning the substance of fair housing law, the Clinic offers students an opportunity to participate in federal court litigation and sometimes in state and administrative proceedings. Students learn how cases are investigated and prepared. They may have the opportunity to help draft pleadings, prepare motions and hearings for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, conduct discovery, and assist in trials and hearings or possible appeals.

Intern Requirements:

1. Interns are required to work on fair housing matters for four hours for each hour they sign up; a two hour credit would equal to eight hours of work per week.

2. The intern must attend the orientation meeting on the first Monday of the new semester from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. and weekly meetings on each Monday from 12 - 1:30 p.m.

3. If the intern has a chance to argue a case in court or take a deposition, time away from intern's employment may be necessary.