VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW CLINICAL PROGRAM
Heritage Hall 651 South College
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN 46383

On the campus of Valparaiso University
Phone:    (219) 465-7903
Fax:
Email:
OFFICE HOURS:

    Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

INTAKE HOURS: Call For An Appointment (219) 465-7903
Walk-in Applications: None

Eligibility Requirements

Income:  The Clinic accepts clients whose income falls below 125% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines used by federally funded legal services programs.  Typically, clients are screened for income eligibility when they initially contact the clinic.

Type of Cases:   The clinic does not accept all types of cases.  One area of frequent inquiry is cases that are fee generating.  In fee generating cases, there is a means by which the individual's attorney will receive compensation other than through direct payment by the client.  For example, in an accident case, a private attorney will typically agree to receive payment as a percentage of the recovery that is sought.  The attorney gets paid if the case results in money damages paid to the victim.  If the victim does not receive an award, the attorney does not receive a fee.

    In some other area of practice an attorney fee or court appointed counsel is provided for by statute.  These areas include Social Security Disability cases (but not Supplemental Security Income cases) Workman's Compensation cases. If a fee or attorney is provided for by statute, the law clinic will not provide representation.

Conflict of Interest:  The clinic may have to reject a case if our office has provided previous representation for the person or persons identified as being on the other side of the case.

Maximum Capacity:  Since our resources have a limit, the clinic may not be able to provide representation if at the time a person applies our available faculty and students are already engaged in representing the maximum number of cases that can be competently completed.  Cases are referred to other agencies providing representation when this occurs.

Additional Clinic Programs

Mediation Clinic:  Students mediate cases in small claims courts in Valparaiso and Portage, Indiana.

Juvenile Advocacy Clinic:   Students are appointed as Guardian ad Litem to represent the interest of abused and neglected children in Lake County Juvenile Court.

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