Information for Students

Enrollment Information: 3 credit hours (graded) | Limited to 18 students

• Students may not be concurrently enrolled in another clinic or externship.

Recommended Prerequisite Courses: Professional Responsibility

• Preference in Selection given to students that have completed the 40 hour basic mediation training through the Office of Dispute Resolution, Lubbock County, either May 13-17, 2024 or, preferably, during the week of August 12 immediately prior to the beginning of fall classes.

Course Overview

• Students will have the opportunity to observe mediations, co-mediate and solo mediate actual disputes through the Lubbock County Office of Dispute Resolution
• Class format will consist of a combination of lecture, class discussion and interactive participation, skills exercises, mediation role plays, and regular feedback on demonstrated mediation skills
• Course will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills essential to effective problem-solving that can be integrated in the practice of law in addition to providing the means to advise, counsel, prepare, and represent clients in mediation

Course Requirements

• Requires some flexibility in course scheduling to allow for participation in actual mediations. It is best if you have blocks of time, either in the morning or afternoon, with most mediations commencing at 9:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Mediations are scheduled throughout the week.

Criteria for Grading

• Regular attendance during classroom instruction
• Active participation in classroom learning exercises and discussion
• Demonstrated attainment of skills necessary to successfully mediate disputes
• Effectiveness as third party neutral in actual mediations
• Quality of reflective papers on mediation observations and participation as a mediator
• Quality of oral presentation on mediation topic
• Effectiveness of self-evaluation
• Professional responsibility/ethical conduct

Student Selection Process

A Mandatory Information Session for students interested in participating in the Clinical Programs is held in late January or early February of each year. Information is provided by the Clinic Directors regarding each individual clinic, as well as the process for student selection. Students interested in applying to one or more clinics are instructed to complete the required documents and complete an application on or before the deadline announced during the information session. Documents to be attached include the clinic application (indicating which clinics you are applying to), resume, unofficial law school transcript, and a two-page narrative (for each individual clinic you are applying to) indicating why you are interested in a particular clinic. All clinics are by selection and invitation only. Applications are reviewed by the Clinic Directors. Some Clinic Directors may conduct interviews (some may not depending on the demand) and offers are made to students by the Clinic Directors with a deadline for you to accept the offer. During open registration, the Registrar's office enrolls students for the clinic. You will not be able to enroll yourself.