Within the Family Advocacy Clinic, students may choose to intern in either
the Civil Protection Unit or the Child Custody Unit. In the Civil Protection
Unit, students will work with staff attorneys to file civil protection orders in
the Domestic Relations Court to protect victims of domestic violence. The Unit
also provides assistance with housing needs, employment concerns and divorce or
dissolution proceedings. The Child Custody Unit offers legal representation in
contested child custody cases when family violence has been involved.
Capital University Law School’s Family Advocacy Clinic was founded in 2000
with an initial $250,000 grant from the Columbus Coalition Against Family
Violence. The Clinic serves victims of domestic violence who do not meet
eligibility criteria to receive legal aid assistance, but who are still unable
to afford a private attorney. The Clinic works to improve the legal and
community services available to family violence victims within Franklin County
and works to encourage community collaboration. Partners include the Legal Aid
Society, CHOICES Shelter, and the Columbus City Attorney’s Office.