The Clinical Programs within the Texas Tech University School of Law has, for more than twenty years, involved a collaboration consisting of a team of faculty, staff, and students working with a variety of community partners to provide, without cost, legal and other professional services to individuals and groups who otherwise would be financially unable to obtain such services. As a means of measurably increasing access to the legal system and the protection of basic human rights, collaborative partnerships have been developed between the Clinical Programs and various non-profit organizations and government entities to advance access to justice through leveraging additional resources for addressing the unmet need for services while, at the same time, providing experiential learning opportunities for law students.
Each individual clinic partners with various community partners and external agencies increase the level of service to the public through referrals and collaboration to leverage resources. Community partners include Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, Coalition of Community Assistance Volunteers, Office of Dispute Resolution, Texas Indigent Defense Commission, and the Lubbock Private Defenders Office. A minimum of 66 students enroll in the Clinical Program annually. Students enrolled in the Clinical Programs volunteer approximately 18,000 hours annually in donated legal and professional services resulting in extremely cost-effective program services to meet identified community needs. The services provided have had a positive impact on increasing the quality and level of legal services provided to those in the community that otherwise would lack access to such services resulting in improving the quality of life and promotion of social justice.