VanSickle Family Law Clinic

Inaugural Students with Family District Judge Dennise Garcia (SMU Law '93) - Spring 2016

The VanSickle Family Law Clinic at SMU Dedman School of Law was established in Fall 2015 and launched in January 2016 with six law students and its Founding Director, Chante Brantley. We extend our gratitude to the Clinic's anonymous donor and founding supporters for making this initiative possible.

What We Do

The Clinic offers much-needed assistance to unrepresented family law litigants in our community. Under the supervision and coaching of experienced clinical faculty, student associates represent and counsel low-income clients in matters of family law such as divorce, child custody, parenting time, protective orders, paternity, modifications, child support, adoption and court-appointed amicus or attorney ad-litem. Student associates take the lead in all aspects of their casework and are professionally responsible for the services they provide on behalf of clients.

Students Real-World Experience

Through client representation, the clinic seminar course, team collaboration, and one-on-one instruction, student associates at the VanSickle Family Law Clinic are not only acquiring legal skills, but they are also being empowered to make a difference. Students have the opportunity to engage in the performance of fundamental lawyering skills necessary for competent representation and zealous advocacy. These skills include but are not limited to, interviewing and counseling clients, negotiating, fact development and analysis, strategic case planning, conflict resolution, decision making, motion and trial practice, drafting legal pleadings, time management, lawyer-wellness, and self-reflection.

Students in the clinic also collaborate with judges, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP), and other community organizations to improve access to justice. Through the clinic’s pro se “Self-Help Desk” at George L. Allen Sr. courthouse, students provide brief services to self-represented family law clients such as help with completing pro se forms and answering routine procedural questions.

To Our Community

We understand the importance of providing legal assistance to those in need. The VanSickle Family Law Clinic is committed to offering free legal services to those who qualify, providing much-needed support during challenging times. We welcome new clients during the Fall and Spring semesters, but unfortunately, we cannot accept new cases during the summer.

Our mission is to improve access to justice and guide law students in becoming ethical and proficient lawyers. Please understand that due to the high demand for our services and limited resources, we reach our capacity quickly and may need to close our intake.

To apply for legal services, please download a PDF application with instructions.

Download Application

DISCLAIMER: While we would like to hear from you, please know that the information you submit to us via this website or email will not create an attorney-client relationship. Any information provided to us via this website will only be treated as confidential or privileged lawyer/client communication if we have previously sent you an engagement letter. You are a VanSickle Family Law Clinic client once you receive such an engagement letter.

Representing Yourself

In the spring of 2017, the VanSickle Family Law Clinic launched a “self-help desk” at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building to assist self-represented litigants in family law matters. The desk allows clinic student associates to review pro se forms and immediately inform and guide the pro se litigant on what they need to do to complete or correct their legal documents. In addition, the student associates answer routine procedural questions such as where to file, how to give notice to the AG's office, and other family law issues. Since spring 2017, VanSickle Family Law Clinic has assisted over 1600 self-represented litigants.

Read more about the VanSickle Family Law Clinic Self-Help Desk and the dates we will be at the courthouse.

Disclaimer: Thank you for visiting the VanSickle Clinic website. The site is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The use of the internet or submission of an application to communicate with the VanSickle Clinic does not establish an attorney-client relationship.