Law Clinics & Resources

Our Elder Law Clinic is an elective class that enables third- and fourth-year law students to gain experience by working under the supervision of a practicing lawyer. The Elder Law Clinic provides free legal services for senior citizens and needy persons in the Sonoma County community.

Since opening in 2000, Supervising Attorneys, along with Empire law students, have served more than 2,200 clients in the preparation of legal documents and as advocates in a variety of matters.

Legal document examples include: durable powers of attorney for health care and finances, credit problem letters, banking dispute letters, consumer fraud issues, and Wills. Advocacy examples include: errors in billing, banking mistakes, interpreting court minutes, eviction notices and landlord/tenant disputes, Social Security disputes, deceptive vendors, expungement information, collecting small claims judgments, and probate information.

CLINIC TIMES: During school sessions, which are ongoing throughout most of the year, our Elder Law Clinic in Northern California is held on Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. by phone appointment only. Phone messages to make an appointment may be left at 707-284-7666, and someone will contact you.

A collaborative effort between Disability Services and Legal Center (DSLC) and Empire College School of Law, our Disability Law Clinic provides students the opportunity to participate in all areas of case development, from client interviews to court appearances. In these elective clinical training courses, students receive clinical training in Federal and California Disability Law. Each student is responsible for handling several cases within the area of Administrative Law.

Under the supervision of Law Professor Adam Brown, third- and fourth-year students represent clients before a Federal or State Administrative Law Judge. They conduct research, write legal briefs, interview clients, and argue their cases before the Judge. Disability Law clinical training gives students the experience of handling real cases on behalf of real clients and provides an exceptional learning experience for the students while benefiting those in need.

This class provides students with real-life customer counseling
opportunities and exposure to a variety of civil law topics.
Students are given initial trainings in the areas of law handled by
the Civil Self Help Center and in the intake process for potential
customers. Students begin their clinical experience with an
orientation to the court and as intake interviewers of SHC
customers to determine the area of law and where they should be
directed. Depending upon the amount of time the student has committed to the clinic, students will also have the opportunity,
under the supervision of an attorney, to interact with customers,
provide legal information, draft simple pleadings, and direct
customers to legal and non-legal resources. Students may work
in the areas of Unlawful Detainers, Restraining Orders, Elder
Abuse, Debt Collection, Name Changes, and Small Claims,
among other areas of law. Students may draft legal documents
and correspondence under the supervision of a practicing
attorney. Some students may gain the opportunity to attend
court hearings.

For complete information regarding clinic hours and services, please visit the Sonoma County Superior Court’s Civil Self Help Center webpage.

The Family Law Clinic (formerly called Self-Help Access Center-SHAC) has been able to expand its services by collaborating with Empire College School of Law and the Superior Court of Sonoma County. Through participation in this clinic, students learn about California pro per litigation.

The Family Law Clinic assists self-representing litigants, 70 to 80 percent of all family law cases, in preparing legal arguments and documents for court in family law matters. The parties receive much-needed help with issues such as divorce, restraining orders and custody issues, and students get hands-on experience in this elective course.

Under the supervision of Professor Ronit Rubinoff, executive director, law students gain experience assisting low-income families and children at Legal Aid of Sonoma County. Legal Aid operates four primary programs through its Crisis Legal Advocacy Center: SAFE (services for domestic violence victims), C.A.P.P. (services for child abuse and neglect victims), HOME (habitability and eviction services), and a Legal Services Referral Program (LSRP). Legal Aid assists with a range of crisis needs, including family violence issues (domestic violence and civil harassment restraining orders), child abuse and neglect issues (protective guardianships for children) and low-income housing issues (eviction and habitability complaints).

This elective class provides students with real-life client counseling opportunities and exposure to a variety of poverty law topics. The clinic allows students to interact with clients, provide legal advice under the supervision of an attorney, draft simple pleadings, and direct clients to legal and non-legal resources. Students may work in the areas of Unlawful Detainers, Restraining Orders, Elder Abuse, and Guardianships. Students draft Legal Documents and Correspondence under the supervision of a practicing attorney. Some students may gain the opportunity to attend court hearings.