Community & Economic Development

Program Overview

The CED Clinic serves low-income and working class communities that are fighting for social and economic justice. The clinic is designed to help build and expand the capacity of grassroots organizations to implement community development projects. These projects include creating neighborhood institutions that provide needed services and opportunities. The clinic also works with more established nonprofits in expanding and sustaining their social service programs and organizing campaigns.

Students who complete the CED or Not-for-Profit lawyering seminar are eligible to enroll in the CED Clinic, which is a one semester, 12-credit clinic. Building on their lawyering seminar work, students will continue to develop lawyering skills that are needed to do transactional work for organizations that are working to make a difference in building vibrant, sustainable communities.

Typical student work includes representing start-up organizations in obtaining incorporation and/or tax-exempt status. Students also work on more complex CED projects such as negotiating and drafting contracts, preserving and creating affordable housing, and counseling clients regarding employment and governance issues. Classroom work focuses on CED theory and practice, the role of lawyer in transactional lawyering in furtherance of social justice as well as various doctrinal laws related to not-for-profits and their legal needs. Classroom work is also tailored to the clinic projects to which students are assigned.