Promises Fulfilled : Law school Family Law Clinical Practicum serves the needs of both the state and the students
By Ariana Meyers & Tammy Pettinato Oltz
She endured years of physical , emotional , and verbal abuse after her partner became addicted to illegal drugs . Shortly after the birth of their second child , she decided it was time to leave . “ I can ' t say enough good things about the Family Law Practicum and the work they do . During some of the most stressful times of my life , they were able to put my mind at ease and I knew , without a doubt , that I was in great hands . They went above and beyond to ensure my children ’ s safety and ultimately produce the results my family needed .” – Former Family Law Clinical Practicum Client .
Family-related legal issues are common , especially among lowincome individuals . According to a 2021 Legal Services Corporation study , over a quarter of low-income households in the U . S . had at least one civil legal problem related to “ family matters or personal safety .” In households with children under 12 , the numbers were even higher – a full 44 % experienced a family / personal safety-related legal issue . And alarmingly , about 10 % of low-income households face problems with domestic violence . 1
The consequences can be devastating . Retired District Court Judge Bruce E . Bohlman was appointed in 1978 and served on the bench until 2004 ; he saw the devastation of family law matters firsthand . “ Family dysfunction is a devastating blow , not only to the family , but also to our city , state , and nation . The family is the foundation of our society . It is clear that unless the family has access to competent and compassionate legal services , succeeding generations of the family will likely repeat the problems that the previous generations experienced . Breaking the chain of family dysfunction is critically needed ,” said Bohlman .
To help address this need in North Dakota , the state legislature sprang into action . In fall 2020 , with assistance from legislative funds aimed in part at providing clinical legal education opportunities , University of North Dakota ( UND ) School of Law launched the Family Law Clinical Practicum . The clinical practicum , founded and headed by School of Law Assistant Professor Ariana Meyers , provides much-needed legal assistance to low-income North Dakotans facing family law matters . “[ It is ] providing significant legal services to those who need help but can ’ t afford the financial cost . The program is an essential benefit to families served by the program as well as a great opportunity for participating law students to gain experience in family law practice under the
Those involved in the Family Law Clinical Practicum include ( left to right ) Administrative Assistant LeeIla Drees , Ashley Haneke , Victoria Ly , Drew Schmit , Gabrielle Wolf , AnneMarie Studer , and Professor Ariana Meyers ( 2022-2023 ).
supervision of Professor Ariana Meyers ,” said Bohlman .
Clinical practicum student attorneys serve as negotiators in mediation as well as advocates in the courtroom . The practicum has represented clients in contested domestic violence protection order hearings , a contested Uniform Non-Parent Custody and Visitation Act trial , numerous divorce trials , and residential responsibility actions , as well as an adult guardianship matter .
But the Clinical Practicum isn ’ t only helping to meet the needs of the state ’ s residents ; it is also filling an educational need for law students that they previously had to look for outside of the School of Law . In 2017 , facing a severe budget shortfall , the School of Law shut down its prior clinic , which focused on housing , employment , and immigration issues . This left UND as one of the only law schools in the country without an in-house clinic . Current and prospective students who were interested in a clinical experience were forced to look elsewhere .
When former-dean Michael McGinniss took the helm of the School of Law in 2019 , one of his top priorities was to bring back a clinical legal education experience for UND Law students and to serve the community . A clinical practicum focusing on family law seemed a natural choice . “ From my discussions with SBAND leaders and many other members of the North Dakota bench and bar , it was clear family law is an area of significant interest for new lawyer training and needs for quality representation of low-income
Ariana D . Meyers is an assistant professor at the UND School of Law . She teaches Family Law and is the faculty supervisor of the Family Law Clinical Practicum . Professor Meyers is the secretary / treasurer of SBAND ’ s Family Law Section .
Tammy Pettinato Oltz is assistant dean for Law Library & Information Services and assistant professor of Law at UND School of Law . She specializes in helping law students and attorneys understand , evaluate , and manage legal technology .
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