LAWS 8985 Federal Court Clinic
The Federal Court Clinic provides free information, advice, and limited scope legal assistance to pro se (self-represented) litigants in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The Clinic seeks to enhance access to justice and improve the litigation process for pro se litigants who have filed, or intend to file, a civil case in federal court. The Clinic assists litigants who cannot afford an attorney with federal civil cases, including cases involving civil rights, employment discrimination, age discrimination, housing discrimination, labor law, and social security benefits. Students will have the opportunity to interview and counsel clients on a wide-variety of federal civil law. Students will learn to (1) advise litigants about potential federal claims prior to filing suit, (2) interpret and explain federal law and procedure, (3) provide brief legal counseling, (4) review and edit draft pleadings and correspondence with the Court. Students will have the opportunity to meet clients at the federal courthouse in Boston.
Course overview
- Department
- Law
- School
- LAW
- Credits
- 6
- Level
- Graduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Every Spring
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- Permission of Instructor
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.73 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.73 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 2
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Jeffrey Cohen | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 10+ hrs/week | 7 of 8 |
| Fall 2025 | Jeffrey Cohen | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 10+ hrs/week | 8 of 9 |