Bankruptcy Assistance Clinic

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The Eleanor R. Cristol and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic at Miami Law offers pro bono legal services to low-income individuals who are dealing with bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Southern District of Florida established the clinic. Miami Law offers it as a two-semester, six-credit elective that pairs students into teams.

Under the supervision of practicing lawyers who serve as mentors throughout the representation, students:

• Interview, counsel and represent clients in Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy cases
• Assist clients who are dealing with unprecedented financial crisis
• Appear in court for contested matters when the clinic’s assistance is requested by a judge

Clients are referred to the clinic by the Dade County Bar Association, and sitting judges of the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The Eleanor R. and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic is a two semester (fall/spring) or (spring/fall) course for a total of six (6) credits for both semesters. Students are evaluated on a pass/fail basis on the following criteria: 1) Classwork and Class participation 2) A journal or fee application depending on the semester detailing their externship activities 3) The mentor's evaluation of the student in connection with their client representations.

Prerequisites

• Successfully completed 48 credits
• Familiarity with the Rules of Professional Conduct as adopted by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

Clinic Director

Professor Patricia Redmond
predmond@law.miami.edu