Domestic Violence Litigation Clinic
What We Do
The Domestic Violence Litigation Clinic is a two semester clinic offered in partnership with the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), a not-for-profit organization providing free civil legal assistance to low and no-income individuals throughout the New York metropolitan area.
The Domestic Violence Litigation Clinic is a two semester clinic offered in partnership with the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), a not-for-profit organization providing free civil legal assistance to low and no-income individuals throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Working under the supervision of adjunct clinical faculty, students in the Clinic represent domestic violence victims seeking orders of protection, child custody and visitation. Cases are heard in the Family Court and Integrated Domestic Violence Courts in all five boroughs. The Clinic students may also represent the victim in any concurrent criminal proceeding, uncontested divorce and/or immigration cases under the Violence Against Women Act.
Guided by NYLAG’s student practice order, students handle all aspects of each case from inception to final disposition. As needed, they conduct client interviews, draft pleadings, negotiate settlements, make court appearances and conduct trials. Students complete the majority of case preparation at NYLAG’s office at 7 Hanover Square in Manhattan.
Contact Us
Victoria Goodlof, Esq.
Adjunct Professor of Law
[email protected]
212-613-6520
Our Clinic
How to Apply as a Candidate
Students can apply for the Domestic Violence Litigation Clinic during the spring semester for the following school year.
Attend a Clinical Information Session which is held for All Clinics for one day in March.
- Next Date: TBD
Submit an online application
- Application URL:
Upload the following within the online application:
- Cover Letter stating interest in the clinic
- Current Resume
- Unofficial Transcript printed from the Academic Record screen in UIS
After submitting all required documents, an interview will be scheduled.
The Domestic Violence Litigation Clinic is a two-semester, ten-credit clinic (five credits/semester) open to second and third-year students in good academic standing as well as to evening students who have significant availability during workday hours. Evidence and Trial Advocacy are pre- or co-requisites. Clinic students are also encouraged to take the Intensive Trial Advocacy, Pre-trial Advocacy, Family Law and the Sexual Assault Seminar.
All students in the Clinic must participate in the Domestic Violence Litigation Clinic Seminar, which covers substantive areas of law likely to be encountered in Clinic cases, trial advocacy and other necessary skills. The seminar meets once a week for two hours, at NYLAG’s office at 7 Hanover Square in Manhattan, and also includes case reviews and skills simulation and critique.
Students are encouraged to take or have taken Evidence, Trial Advocacy, Family Law, and Family Law Violence & Sexual Assault. This course satisfies the Advanced Practice Writing Requirement and the Applied Skills Requirement.
In addition to taking the seminar class, Clinic students are also required to attend individual case meetings with Adjunct Professor Victoria Goodlof at NYLAG.