Students in the Rising for Justice Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic represent clients in DC Superior Court, primarily in the Landlord Tenant Branch.
Law students prevent evictions, preserve affordable housing, and secure tenants’ rights under federal and District law. The program works to fight the consequences of poverty, to prevent homelessness, and to combat the affordable housing crisis in the District of Columbia while teaching law students to become effective advocates.
The program offers a learning environment that focuses on case preparation, courtroom experience and one-on-one working relationships with experienced instructors. Supervision and instruction emphasize litigation strategy, the skills necessary for effective lawyering, and client-centered representation.
Under the supervision of clinical instructors, students are responsible for all aspects of litigation: interviewing clients and witnesses, conducting investigations, preparing pleadings, engaging in settlement negotiations, and conducting all motions hearings and trials pursuant to the Superior Court’s student practice rule. Students enrolled in the Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic (HALC) represent clients at hearings before DC Superior Court’s Landlord & Tenant Branch and Civil Actions Branch, located a short walk from Judiciary Square or Gallery Place Metro.
There is a mandatory weeklong orientation the week before each semester’s classes begin. Students enrolled in HALC complete their casework and attend clinic seminar classes at the Rising for Justice office, located a short walk from the Gallery Place metro station at 901 4th St. NW, Suite 6000, Washington, DC 20001.