Family Law Clinical Practicum
From left: Marisa Gunhouse, Joshua Breeze, Mia Treuer, Professor Ariana Meyers, & Morgan Wentz
The University of North Dakota School of Law Family Law Clinical Practicum began in
the spring of 2021. The practicum, open to second and third-year law students, allows
students the opportunity to develop their legal writing and advocacy skills while
gaining real-world experience with clients in a faculty-supported setting.
The Practicum is a full-year course, with a focus on pedagogical learning in the fall
semester and practical experience in the spring semester. The program grounds itself
in development of practical skills necessary to move family law cases from initial
client interview to judgment. Student attorneys are expected to conduct client and
witness interviews, make court appearances, manage the client’s file, prepare written
documents (used both internally and filed with the court), organize discovery, understand,
and apply the rules of civil procedure as well as explain the legal process to and
counsel the client. The types of cases the Practicum will accept are divorce, custody,
juvenile guardianships, domestic violence protection orders, and disorderly conduct
restraining orders.
The Practicum is lead by faculty supervisor Assistant Professor Ariana D. Meyers.