Current Public Service Opportunities

 

Below is a list of Public Service opportunities available to TU Law students. To participate in one of these opportunities, contact the Professional Development Office at 918-631-2430. 

Legal Help for Vets

TU Law collaborates with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Community Service Council and Tulsa County Bar Association to provide public service legal assistance to veterans in need. As a case is referred to the group, law students are matched with volunteer attorneys assigned from the Tulsa County Bar Association to assist those attorneys as needed in all aspects of the case. Areas of law range from family law issues to criminal cases to bankrupty and traffic tickets.

Basic Mediation and Family Relations Mediation Training (FRMT)

TU Law facilitates this Basic Mediation and Family Relations Mediation Training in conjunction with the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Students and recent graduates who attend FRMT become certified mediators in Oklahoma and agree to mediate family relations cases and small claims cases in the Tulsa county courts. This is a great opportunity for TU Law students to serve the court system and learn crucial skills before they graduate.

Tulsa Lawyers for Children Training


Tulsa Lawyers for Children, Inc. ("TLC") recruits, trains and provides ongoing assistance to volunteer attorneys who represent children up to 18 years of age who have been abused, neglected or abandoned and who are subjects of "deprived" cases in the Tulsa County Juvenile Court.  TLC volunteers include not only law students but litigators, family lawyers,corporate attorneys, former judges, former general counsels of large public companies, patent and trademark attorneys, law school professors and many others who bring their experience, talent and dedication into a system largely hidden from public scrutiny by the veil of confidentiality which cloaks juvenile proceedings.  One of the ways TLC provides ongoing assistance is its T.U. Law Student Public Service Project and its Shelter Visitation & Show Cause Hearing Project.  T.U. Law Students attend the same training as attorney volunteers and then act as volunteer legal assistants to volunteer attorneys on their TLC cases.  This is particularly helpful when timely visits with the child clients become difficult for the attorney.  Law Students also interview children coming into the shelter and appear at "show cause" hearings as guardians ad litem.  Attendance at the training program does not obligate you to take a case nor to participate in the TLC projects. You have nothing to lose - and Tulsa's kids have so much to gain.  Please join us! The next training program for TLC volunteer lawyers will be held at the University of Tulsa College of Law in Spring 2013, dates TBA.  Each of the sessions covers different material:

Session 1: Basics of deprived case 

Session 2: Child's attorney's duties; Role of DHS 

Session 3: ICWA; Procedures; Jury trials; In need of treatment

Session 4: Communicating with the child client 

COURTHOUSE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CAP) INFO SESSION WITH JUDGE MILLIE OTEY

For those of you seeking a unique public service opportunity and hands on courtroom experience, please see information below regarding the CAP Program and attend our informational session presented by Judge Otey to learn more.  You would be assisting attorneys with the FED Docket and could volunteer as your schedule permits.  Even one afternoon per month would be acceptable.  Here are just a few of the benefits:

  • Help the Tulsa County Courthouse, Judges and Attorneys as well as give back to your community;
  • Observe first hand courtroom experience and learn how to communicate effectively with clients;
  • Establish a positive rapport  within the legal community; 
  • Learn about landlord/tenant law; and
  • BOOST YOUR LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND RESUME!

The Tulsa County Bar Association and Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc., along with members of the Tulsa County judiciary and the Tulsa County Bar, have established the Courthouse Assistance Program ("CAP").  The goal of CAP is to provide short-term legal assistance at the courthouse, on a volunteer basis, to individuals who have the immediate need for, but cannot afford to hire, counsel in civil matters.

The initial phase of the program involves volunteer attorneys at the Forcible Entry and Detainer ("FED") Docket.  The attorneys are available to meet with unrepresented parties who meet certain income guidelines in the courtroom after the docket is called and, if necessary, to represent them at the hearings and/or conferences which take place that day.  THE ATTORNEYS NEED YOUR HELP WITH THIS DOCKET.

The FED Docket is held each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 2:00 pm in Courtroom 112 and lasts 3-5 hours.  Presently, volunteer attorneys are available at the Tuesday and Thursday dockets.  The cases involve landlords who are trying to evict and/or recover rent from tenants.  The Court initially calls the docket to determine who is present and which of the matters are contested and may go forward later in the afternoon.  The Court then takes a recess to allow the parties in the contested matters to meet and attempt to resolve their differences.  Following the recess, the Court then hears the contested matters the parties were unable to resolve during the recess.

DVIS (Domestic Violence Intervention Services): Civil Legal

After completion of DVIS training you will be eligible to work for DVIS. These are all the cool things in which you will be able to particpate.

Child Advocacy: Child advocates play an important role in helping children who are living at the DVIS/Call Rape Shelter or at Sojourner's Inn, the transitional living facility, by assisting counselors in play therapy during therapy groups at both locations.

Court Advocacy: Staff and volunteers at the Court Advocacy Office assist survivors in obtaining Protective Orders for themselves, and if necessary, minor children.

Crisis Line: Our agency maintains a 24-hour emergency crisis line 918.7HELP.ME (918.743.5763) for round-the-clock assistance to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Family Safety Center: Assist survivors in obtaining Emergency Protective Orders.

Cindy Cunningham, TU Law Alum ('90), is the Director of Legal Services for DVIS (Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Inc. (DVIS)/Call Rape).  DVIS is willing to sponsor students wishing to obtain their Oklahoma Legal License Intern Certification.

Kendall-Whittier Elementary School

Kendall-Whittier is a partner in education with the University of Tulsa and is one of six community schools in Tulsa. They provide more than education to their students and also provide education to the families of their students. The school is only a few short blocks from the College of Law. There are a number of ways you or your student organization can get involved at Kendall-Whittier Elementary.

Disclaimer

The University of Tulsa College of Law and the Professional Development Office do not warranty any opportunities posted. Details are to be worked out between the student and the organization or lawyer who the student is assisting.