Earlier this year, Iowa Legal Aid Managing Attorney Ericka Petersen taught a Poverty Law Practicum at the University of Iowa College of Law. This 14-week experiential course provided law students the opportunity to learn about substantive poverty law along with building practical skills like client interviewing, client counseling, writing, and litigation through in-class instruction, simulation, and real client work.
Through the first-time collaboration with Iowa Legal Aid, students worked with real clients performing legal intake interviews and representing tenants in eviction hearings. Students’ experiences throughout the semester were profoundly eye-opening for them; they gained a meaningful understanding of the barriers facing a large portion of society to accessing the justice system, and they grappled with their future roles within that system.
“In addition to the many skills and experiences I wanted the students to have by the end of the class, it was also important to me that they saw firsthand how broken our legal system is for the most vulnerable among us. I think the class achieved that.”
During the semester, students worked with actual Iowa Legal Aid clients facing eviction. Some of the work, like client intake interviews, could have been a nerve-wracking experience, but the students were up for the task. Their success ultimately led to a better connection to the work, and they walked away feeling more confident and capable in their abilities.
One of the highlights of Petersen’s class was when the students represented a client at the Johnson County Courthouse. The day was busy, and a number of clients showed up late. Petersen’s students reviewed the client’s files and discovered a defense not immediately obvious to other attorneys. “They went on to represent the client and negotiated a beautiful agreement with landlord. The tenants were so grateful,” said Petersen. “It was really special to get to watch them in action! I was so proud.”
At the end of the semester the students reported that they had a rich experience from which they learned and grew. They expressed their respect for ILA attorneys and what they do to help Iowa’s most vulnerable residents. By the end of the course, one student had a job secured with a legal aid organization in Illinois, and another expressed interest in becoming a legal aid attorney after graduating.
Even for those who never become legal aid attorneys, exposing law students to the rewards—and challenges—of poverty law will benefit ILA and our clients. All of Attorney Petersen’s students expressed interest in wanting to support Iowa Legal Aid financially and/or by becoming volunteer attorneys with ILA in the future.
Petersen believes after this semester, merely having lawyers who understand the realities of poverty, and the impact it has on access to justice will ultimately create a more just system, and these students gave her a lot of hope for the future. Attorney Petersen will teach the Poverty Law Practicum again next spring.