Tribal and State Court Practice Clinic
Faculty Member
"Clinic was extremely helpful. The hands-on experience in litigation, research, and trial preparation has helped me to prepare for practicing law when I graduate. We address many different issues in Clinic so we are well versed when we graduate."
Mandy Johnson
Class of 2011
Interns in the Tribal and State Court Practice Clinic (TSCP) may have the opportunity to represent clients in cases in Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation or Kickapoo Nation of Kansas tribal courts.
TSCP Clinic interns represent clients in tribal, state, and municipal court settings. TSCP's primary emphasis is to expose students to practice in multiple jurisdictions and to focus on the skills required to practice in a tribal court setting.
Over the course of the semester, TSCP students will represent clients in both criminal and family law cases. Additionally, TSCP will also explore the unique issues raised when representing Native clients, with the additional goal of increasing cultural literacy in law practice. TSCP students practice under the supervision of a Washburn faculty member who is licensed to practice law in Kansas and admitted to practice in tribal courts in Kansas.
Types of cases accepted for representation in TSCP are:
- Misdemeanor cases in Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation tribal court, Shawnee County District Court, and Topeka Municipal Court
- Divorce and Paternity cases in Shawnee County District Court
- Protection from Abuse and Stalking Cases in Shawnee County District Court
Skills practiced in TSCP are:
- Client Interviewing and Counseling
- Case theory and development
- Drafting and filing pleadings
- Preparing and first-chairing hearings and trials
- Tribal court practice skills
- Developing cross-cultural literacy
