Barry University School of Law’s Collaborative Family Law Clinic gives students a unique opportunity to learn a more compassionate, solutions-focused approach to resolving family disputes. Rather than relying on courtroom litigation, the clinic trains future attorneys to help couples navigate marital conflicts, including divorce, through collaboration and cooperation.

Students work as part of a fully staffed Collaborative Family Law Panel alongside attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial experts from the community. Together, this interdisciplinary team provides clients with comprehensive support while giving students a true-to-practice experience. Barry Law is one of only a few law schools in the nation to offer this type of clinic and the only one with a full panel model for both students and clients.

Law students can earn 3 credits while gaining hands-on experience in areas such as Family Law, Constitutional Law, and Professional Responsibility. Students build essential skills in legal research and writing, negotiation, client counseling, advocacy, and case management. In addition, participants complete a Practice Ready Institute course and a two-day training that leads to certification to practice collaborative law upon admission to the Bar.

The clinic is open to students beginning in their third semester, requires an average commitment of 10 hours per week and provides certification training at no cost.

The Collaborative Family Law Clinic is a pathway into a growing field of practice and a powerful example of Barry Law’s commitment to experiential education.

For more information, visit the School of Law’s website.