Anoo Vyas

The history of U.S. Constitutional interpretation and current doctrine concerning judicial review, the federal-state system, the Commerce Clause, separation of powers, freedoms of speech and religion, due process and equal protection. Special attention is given to current controversies regarding the "Right of Privacy" and affirmative action.

Students, supervised by a law school professor, spend one semester representing entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations in the South Coast area of Massachusetts. Work may include drafting corporate documents, preparing state and federal filings, conducting legal audits, researching legal issues, and reviewing contracts. Students may also research new developments in the law and make presentations to the appropriate clients, their boards of directors, and community audiences.   Clinic students attend a weekly two-hour seminar that will provide training in the relevant legal topics, as well as in practical legal skills. Students will reflect on and consider ethical and other issues arising in practice. Students will average 10 hours weekly on their clinical work. In addition, this course affords students an opportunity for the development of a professional identity. Professional identity focuses on what it means to be a lawyer and the special obligations lawyers have to their clients and society. The development of professional identity involves an intentional exploration of the values, guiding principles, and well-being practices considered foundational to successful legal practice.

Students who have completed the Community Development Clinic (LAW 640) may be invited to participate in the Advanced Community Development Clinic in a subsequent semester. Advanced Clinic students will continue to work with clients, expanding their knowledge of clinic-specific substantive law as they further develop their lawyering skills. Advanced Clinic students may also assist with the first-semester course, mentor students, participate in programs for the public, and engage in a writing project.

The course provides individual students with the opportunity to complete an independent legal research and writing project under the supervision of a full- time faculty member with expertise in the area studied. Permission of Full-Time Professor; Permission of Associate Dean required for second I.L.R. Of the 90 credits required for graduation, students are required to earn at least 65 in courses that meet in regularly scheduled class sessions. This course does not count toward the 65 credit requirement.