Domestic Violence Clinic Professor
Lisa V. Martin
Associate Professor of Law
Learn more about Lisa
Students in the Domestic Violence Clinic represent people who are seeking emergency civil legal protection from domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking through the entry of Orders of Protection in Family Court, Restraining Orders in Magistrates Court, and Permanent Restraining Orders in the Court of Common Pleas. Students take a first-chair role in hearings and trials and in preparing all aspects of their cases, including:
- conducting client and witness interviews,
- undertaking fact investigation,
- and drafting pleadings, motions, witness examinations, and arguments.
In some semesters, students might also have the opportunity to prepare applications for affirmative domestic violence-related immigration remedies, such as VAWA Self-Petitions, Battered Spouse Waivers, and U Visas.
Finally, to help address the problems our clients experience on a broader scale, students complete community-based projects, which may include limited advice and assistance clinics, know-your-rights presentations, legal and policy research, and the development of written resources for pro se parties.
Student & Alumni Scholarship
- Elle Klein, #Voices: A resource guide for victims of domestic violence, in Cola Today.
During my 3L year at USC School of Law, I was able to interview clients and represent them in Family Court for Orders of Protection under the student attorney practice laws of this State. This course was phenomenal in preparing me to step into not only the practice of law but also my current position prosecuting domestic violence across the State.
