Like a parent who nurtured a child into teenage and toward independence of college or career, Professor and Associate Dean Amy Halbrook has nurtured the Children’s Law Center Clinic she founded at Salmon P. Chase College of Law from infant to early-teenager, and a new phase of growth with a new director.
After 13 years as the only director of the clinic, in which students represent children and teenagers in matters such as family and education issues, Professor Halbrook decided she wanted to focus on her roles as professor and associate dean for experiential learning. Guiding the clinic now into its mid-teen years is Professor and Clinic Director Jennifer Brinkman, who early in her career was a fellow of the Children’s Law Center, the Covington, Kentucky, not-for-profit law firm with which the clinic collaborates.
With combined their views of the past and the future, professors Halbrook and Brinkman offer their perspectives, in conversation style, on the growth years of the Children’s Law Center Clinic:
For Professor Halbrook: Looking back, as the founding and first director of the Children’s Law Center Clinic, what were the challenges in creating and launching a new clinic?
“There are always challenges with a startup, but we had a really great partner in the Children’s Law Center [formed by Chase graduate Kim Brooks Tandy in 1989]. They were already doing amazing direct-service and policy work. Probably the biggest challenge was to get the judges and attorneys we work with to understand that clinic students weren’t clerks. Clinic students can do anything an attorney can do, as long as they are supervised.”
And, Professor Brinkman, in the next phase, how do you see yourself, as the second director of the clinic, building on the foundation of the clinic?
“I am truly standing on the shoulders of a giant. I had the privilege of watching, from the outside, the clinic as it grew into the incredible program that is it today. I plan to incorporate my own trial advocacy and appellate writing skills into my teaching to continue producing high-quality, client-focused student-lawyers.”
Professor Halbrook, thinking of those 13 years of the clinic through a hypothetical student, how would you describe the arc of work in which students were involved?
“We take students as they come. Some students have trial skills and some don’t. Some know a lot about child and family law, and some don’t. We teach the substantive law and lawyering skills. We focus on professional responsibility, judgment and identity development. We help the students adopt best practices and reflect on what makes a good lawyer. Through the years, we have represented clients in highly complex cases. We have written amicus briefs on pressing issues related to children and teens. We have done community education projects on Street Law [a juvenile diversion program], grandparent visitation, expungement, adolescent development and restorative justice. It is incredible what students learn to do in a semester or a year.”
Professor Brinkman, in what ways do you see your previous work as a Children’s Law Center fellow and in subsequent practice shaping or influencing your perspective and approach as director of the clinic?
“I have always had a deep appreciation for the work that the Children’s Law Center does, and I am excited to have the incredible opportunity to engage in that work again. Because I spent much of the formative part of my early career as a public defender, I come to the clinic with significant experience both trying cases and directly representing clients who would not otherwise have representation. I encourage my students to view our clients and their families not only in light of the legal problems that brought them to us, but, instead, in the context of their entire lives. It is only with this perspective that we can truly advocate for our clients in a holistic, client-centered way.”
Professor Halbrook, throughout your time as clinic director, what are some accomplishments of the clinic and students that stand out?
“Many students say that the clinic was their best experience in law school. They come in being insecure and graduate confident and competent. They build strong relationships with clients. Their writing improves. Their oral advocacy improves. They know how to step up in court. They have a better understanding of the rules of evidence, civil procedure and criminal procedure. Many of our graduates go into family law or juvenile defense. I love seeing them in practice.”
Professor Brinkman, what are you most looking forward to in the clinic, and as a new faculty member?
“I am excited to help shape the next generation of attorneys to be compassionate, passionate, ethical and competent representatives of their clients.”
Professor Halbrook, also looking ahead, after 13 years of identification with the clinic, what are you looking forward to in your continuing roles at Chase and in the community?
“I am still the associate dean for experiential learning. I love teaching other teachers how to incorporate practical and reflective exercises into their teaching. I am also the adviser for the Child and Family Law Certificate program. I am continuing to teach Family Law and Family Mediation, plus Torts. I am teaching in several trial skills programs, most often the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence programs. I am still teaching in the ֱ mediation program. I am now doing some restorative justice conferencing and community work in Cincinnati, which I am excited about – trying to keep kids out of juvenile court. I am looking forward to having more time to write.”
