Juvenile Justice Legal Clinic

You get meaningful experience. Kids get the help they need.

The Juvenile Justice Legal Clinic provides a powerful opportunity for senior-certified law students to gain credits and real-world legal experience while serving children in need. During the four-credit course, students will explore significant topics in juvenile justice and benefit from attorney mentorship. 

How It Works

The Juvenile Justice Legal Clinic operates like a small law firm staffed by Creighton University School of Law students under the guidance of supervising attorneys. The clinic provides free legal services for youth ages 11-19 with open cases in the Separate Juvenile Court of Douglas County. 

Working in the JJLC allows students to gain experience in the following:

  • Client interviewing and counseling
  • Effective problem-solving practices
  • Interacting with judges and opposing counsel
  • Researching fact and law
  • Draft pleadings
  • Appearing in court 

Students also participate in ongoing reflections of their individual performance and goals, as well as the overall legal system and the context of their clients’ legal and non-legal problems. These reflections will be partially informed by detailed feedback from supervising attorneys that observe or review all student work throughout the semester.

Contact Joy Suder at joysuder@creighton.edu.

Real-World Student Experience

Hear from Tim Murphy, a recent law graduate who volunteered in the Juvenile Justice Legal Clinic during his final year at Creighton School of Law. Here, he served the underrepresented Omaha youth, advocating for their rights and even winning cases in the courtroom.

Community Connections

Juvenile Justice Legal Clinic students work closely with Community Connections to help connect youth and families to the services they’re seeking. Specifically, this grant-funded organization provides equitable access to educational supports, mental health resources, food and housing stability, parenting support, activities and sports, and more.

Program Director

Joy Suder 
Assistant Professor

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