Introduction

Our clinical programs, one of the first in the nation, focuses on Front Line Training for our diverse student body who are battling issues concerning the Black Lives Matter Movements. It is regarded as one of the finest and most comprehensive programs in New York City. The program offers students invaluable opportunities to work with real clients on real cases and develop an extraordinary skill set in the process. Our clinics and externships extend the program to state and federal government agencies, law offices, and businesses throughout New York City. An integral component of the class curriculum, every student must take at least one “real world” clinic or externship to graduate. We are hopeful that our clinical program’s excellence will lead to grants from public agencies and private foundations.

The Civil Rights Clinic provides students with the opportunity to develop the foundational skills needed to be a civil rights advocate through direct involvement in investigations, litigation, appellate advocacy, and public advocacy campaigns. They are working under the direct supervision of Professor Brian Figeroux, Esq.  who will introduce students to civil rights advocacy in a variety of contexts and forums. Students will be working on behalf of indigent, institutional, or pro bono clients on a range of civil rights matters, including employment discrimination, educational equity, voting rights, and criminal justice reform. Specifically, students participating in the Clinic may have the opportunity to:

•Work with clients and communities to challenge discrimination; •Develop interpersonal skills through client interviewing and counseling as well as through co-counseling and partnering with leading civil rights organizations; •Gain experience in litigation planning, including fact investigation and development of case theory; •Develop oral advocacy skills; •Hone research and written advocacy skills through drafting briefs and litigation-related documents; and •Negotiate settlements.

In this program, the student assumes the lawyer’s responsibility by making decisions, preparing work, and doing the tasks related to representing individual clients, entities, or working on projects. All clinics have two components: the casework and a seminar. In-house clinics take place at the Law Firm of Figeroux & Associates and are taught and supervised by attorneys.

Application Procedure

Students interested in taking the Clinic should submit the standard application, resume, and transcript online. There will be an interview which will be scheduled by the program. If you have questions about the Clinic, please contact Professor Brian Figeroux, Esq. via email at info@diversityequalityinclusion.org