Women's Justice Center

The Women’s Justice Center is dedicated to eradicating domestic violence and elder abuse through the skillful, innovative use of the law. You’ll receive training to become an advocate, representing victims of violence, seeking economic justice, and helping to save lives. The Center represents more than 1,200 clients every year; Center attorneys are available to speak with victims referred by police departments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Students can serve as lawyers through the Family Court Externship and also participate in research and community education programs. Responsibilities include interviewing battered women, drafting orders of protection and custody, participating in ex parte hearings for petitions for orders of protection, completing research projects, managing case files, making select follow-up calls to clients, and keeping careful records of statistics. 

The Women’s Justice Center runs a number of programs to support the needs of women, children, and the elderly. 

The Westchester Division
The Center provides free legal education and referrals to more than 1,500 callers and 500 program attendees annually. Monthly matrimonial law clinics are conducted by experienced divorce lawyers to share information with men and women on current legal issues.

Project D.E.T.E.R. and Project A.S.S.I.S.T.
In cooperation with local police departments and medical facilities, the Center provides immediate legal representation to victims of domestic violence, with additional support for Spanish-speaking clients. The programs include training in domestic violence intervention techniques that have proved effective in helping women obtain legal protection from violence.

Teen Dating Violence Institute
This summer program educates student leaders about dating violence, domestic abuse, and other dangerous behaviors.

Sexual Assault Training Program
This program develops curricula to train prosecutors, law enforcement officers, health care professionals, and advocates on a variety of topics concerning sexual assault. The program seeks to improve the criminal justice system’s response to sexual assault through enhanced trial advocacy skills and improved techniques for interviewing victims.

Elder Institute
This program encompasses a number of outreach and educational opportunities for seniors and those who care for them, including topics such as estate, financial, and health care planning, as well as the prevention and intervention of elder abuse.

 

Requirements
The Women’s Justice Center program has two main components: a classroom Family Law Seminar and a courthouse practice component.

Family Law Seminar
This weekly two-hour seminar covers the dynamics of domestic violence, relevant family court practice simulations and training, and the opportunity to consult on cases. 

Family Court
Students are required to work in either the White Plains or Yonkers family court one day a week. A staff attorney from the Center is present each day to provide training and supervision, and to handle particularly complex cases. Students have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of family court cases, including preparing petitions, conducting research, and making supervised court appearances.

Summer Program
During the summer, students from other law schools may participate in the program. Summer students do not take the Family Law Seminar, but instead receive intensive training at the beginning of the summer. Students in the summer program work full time at the Women’s Justice Center, both at the courthouse and at other Center programs.

 

How to Apply

Spring Internships
Submit applications through the John Jay Legal Services at Pace Law School.

Summer Internships
Send a resume and cover letter to:

Linda Lin, Esq.
Pace Women’s Justice Center
Pace Law School
78 North Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603 

Funding for summer externs is limited; applicants are encouraged to pursue their own funding sources.