Program Overview

Introduction to the Legal Innovation and Technology Clinic

The Legal Innovation and Technology (LIT) Clinic at Suffolk Law School partners with various organizations to develop innovative solutions for civil legal problems. The clinic focuses on creating step-by-step web tools for unrepresented individuals who cannot afford legal representation.

Program Details

• The LIT Clinic works with courts, tribal governments, legal aid programs, and nonprofits worldwide to address civil legal issues at scale.
• Students in the clinic will work with an engaged client at a partner organization, impacting not only their direct client but also thousands of people each year.
• The clinic's projects, such as CourtFormsOnline.org, have helped over 30,000 people with issues ranging from domestic violence to eviction prevention and defense.

Skills and Requirements

• Students use legal research and writing, design, project management, and computer software development skills to build solutions for clients.
• All necessary skills, including computer programming, are taught during the weekly seminar.

Prerequisites

• Open to both 2Ls and 3Ls
• No prior coding experience or prerequisites

Credits and Meetings

• 3 experiential learning credits (1.5 per semester)
• 3 credits for clinical seminar (1.5 per semester)

Meeting Schedule

• Seminars: Thursdays from 2-4 PM
• Regular client and group meetings: TBD, remote via Zoom

Expectations

• 7-8 hours of work per week on projects, outside of seminar time
• Time management skills
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Commitment to solving access to justice problems

Research Areas and Impact

• The clinic engages in design and process improvement, focusing on access to justice problems.
• Students' work contributes to helping thousands of people each year, with past projects having significant impacts, such as stopping an eviction in progress.