Street Law - Youth in Transition

Helping at-risk youth
in our community

2 units, credit / no credit
Tuesday 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Enrollment is limited to 8 students

• Required Application (PDF)
  

Now accepting applicants for the Fall 2008 semester.

Students enrolled in this clinical externship teach law-related critical life skills to youth in the Los Angeles dependency, delinquency and special education systems. The law students participate in weekly seminar meetings at Southwestern to prepare them to go out into the community to teach a 10-week class to a select group of teens.

In the seminar meetings, the law students learn skills to assist them to teach practical participatory education about the law. The curriculum that the students will teach is discussed and practiced in the seminars. In addition, judges, attorneys from public interest organizations, and personnel from community programs that assist youth visit the seminars to explain their role, the laws and programs for this special population of young people.

Since the goal of the program is to give the youth legal information that will assist them for a successful transition to adulthood, the law students' outreach also includes meeting with each youth individually to ensure each has a transition plan, as well as provide resources in various areas, including housing, education, and employment.

The course is taught by Adjunct Professor Laura Dym Cohen, who has focused her practice in the area of children's law. Additionally she is expanding law school community's involvement with Teen Court and the Corporate Diversity Pipeline Program.

Read the article about Professor Cohen and the Street Law Program that appeared in Vista Del Mar's View magazine (PDF)