Clinical Program

Barry University School of Law's clinical programs offer students the opportunity to participate in three clinics (Children & Families Clinic; Earth Advocacy Clinic; Immigration Clinic) and six externships (Public Defender; Prosecution; Mediation; Judicial; Civil Government; Civil Poverty). The school is committed to clinical courses which are consistent with the Barry Mission, providing the possibilities of experiential learning and service to the community.

Students may enroll in the various externships after they fulfill all appropriate prerequisites, usually after their second year of study. Prior to placing law students, supervising attorneys and judges must agree to provide the opportunity for experiential learning in accordance with the specified methods and objectives. Each externship program also has a corresponding classroom component.

The Barry Legal Clinic was approved as a legal aid organization in the Spring 2003 semester. This allows some students to be eligible under the Florida student practice rule, to apply for certification as legal interns. Certified Legal Interns, under the supervision of a licensed attorney, may be able to represent the State of Florida or live clients prior to, and for up to one year after, graduation.

Certified Student Practice

Many of the clinic programs involve the practice of law, and those students are certified (CLI status) for such practice by the Florida Supreme Court pursuant to the Student Practice Rule, Chapter 11, Rules of The Florida Bar. The certification process is coordinated by the clinical program office. To be certified (CLI status), a student must:

1. have completed legal studies amounting to four semesters for which he/she has received not less than 48 semester credits (Note: a minimum of 6 credits is required during the summer term to count as a semester for this purpose.);
2. be certified by the Dean as being of good character and competent legal ability and as being adequately trained to perform as a legal extern;
3. certify in writing that he/she has read and is familiar with the Rules of Professional Conduct as adopted by the Florida Supreme Court and will abide by these provisions; and
4. apply to The Florida Bar and obtain The Florida Bar Board of Bar Examiners' Clearance Certificate.