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Juvenile Justice Clinic

The Juvenile Justice Clinic at Southern Illinois University School of Law fills the need for
the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem for minors in all juvenile abuse, neglect, and
dependency cases in Jackson County, Illinois, in juvenile abuse, neglect, and dependency
cases.

Second and third-year law students work on specific cases assigned to them by the attorney. Class
is held twice a week, and students appear and participate in court at the counsel table on behalf of
their child clients.

In addition, students, among other things, interview clients and numerous other individuals
(caseworkers, casework supervisors, support staff, court personnel, other attorneys, caregivers,
etc.); read and analyze the relevant Illinois statutes and case law pertinent to these cases; prepare
memoranda of law and motions when necessary; attend numerous meetings with DCFS and
others, and review numerous reports on the minors. As they gain experience, the students offer
their informed recommendations and perspectives to the supervising attorney.

Course Instructor:

Clinical Associate Professor Joanna Wells

Legal Services

Students enrolled in the Juvenile Justice Clinic work with an experienced clinic attorney and perform legal services and duties to minors for whom the clinic attorney has been appointed guardian ad litem. The guardian ad litem represents the best interests of these minors for whom neglect, abuse or dependency petitions have been filed in Jackson County, Illinois.

Students improve or enhance the following legal skills through the Juvenile Justice clinical experience:

  • Factual Investigations
  • Reviewing Court Documents and Extensive Case Histories and Reports
  • Drafting and Filing Court Documents
  • Negotiating with Counsel and Others
  • Conducting Interviews with Clients and Others
  • Client Advocacy
  • Obtaining Knowledge of Appropriate Professional Court Conduct and Interactions
  • Working with Other Attorneys and Staff in a Law Office Setting
  • File Management and Case Management
  • Developing and Implementing Legal Theories

In addition, students have regular class meetings to learn the substantive legal issues most commonly encountered in juvenile neglect, abuse and dependency cases.