VanSickle Family Law Clinic

The following self-help videos were produced by student associates in the VanSickle Family Law Clinic with a generous grant from the Dallas Bar Foundation.

Appearing in Court Representing Yourself  Representing Yourself (Spanish) 

Family court

 

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Alumni Mentors

David McLane '66  

Bob '60 and Libby Meyers

Student Associates

 

Student Testimonials

Ashley Jones, 3L

Clinic Chief

“Every client has a story. As a student associate for the VanSickle Family Law Clinic, I learned the importance of listening to my client, building a trusting rapport, managing their expectations, and creatively shaping (and modifying) legal objectives to further that story.

In law school, there is a tendency to focus on rights, duties, and nuances of the law - and those are all essential - but the clinic offers a very special human element that is also vital to being a successful attorney. From day one, you are given real clients, with real problems, who depended on you to help them. They rely on you. No other internship or law school experience will provide you with this level of client contact and responsibility. Further, clinical experience instills a sense of confidence that most graduating law students lack going into the workforce. I am comfortable meeting with clients, communicating with opposing counsel, electronically filing pleadings, keeping track of my time, and familiar with the courthouse – all of which cannot be taught in a traditional classroom setting. 

I can honestly say the clinic has been, by far, the most rewarding and best practical legal experience I have gained in law school. I strongly encourage all SMU law students to take advantage of these unique clinic opportunities. You won’t regret it!”

May Crockett, 3L

“You don’t realize how many people need legal services until you enroll in a clinic. As a student associate in the VanSickle Family Law Clinic, you are these clients source of power; you give them the ability to get divorced from an abusive husband, to fight for custody of their children, to adopt a step-child, and more.

In my first semester as a student associate I was able to help with a case involving a step-parent adoption. I learned about the various requirements such as social studies, fingerprinting, background checks, amicus attorneys, and general pleadings. I filed motions, attended hearings, and regularly met with my client to explain the process. Now in my second semester at the clinic, I just finalized my clients’ stepparent adoption. Knowing that I changed my clients’ lives forever is hard to explain but it is extremely rewarding.

But beyond the satisfaction I experienced from serving my clients, this was the most practical class I have taken in law school. Every interview has asked about my experience with the clinic and each time they are genuinely impressed with how SMU offers this great program to essentially be an attorney while in law school.

This clinic is the reason why I have chosen to pursue a career in family law. I cannot stress to students enough how valuable this experience is—don’t miss out.

Client Testimonials

“The VanSickle Family Law Clinic helped our family when no other attorney would take our case. They did much more than they had to, and they helped us every step of the process. It was a difficult process, but they made it smooth.

"May Crockett and Chante Prox are an incredible team! We found the attorneys to be excellent, professional and thorough in handling our case. We feel very lucky to have met them, and don’t know what we would have done without their support. May was on our side, and we knew that we were going to be successful. She always made sure we felt comfortable and advocated for us inside and outside of the courtroom. We’re very grateful that this program exists and can provide such expertise to ordinary people like us. Thank you so much for helping to make our family complete!”

"Please extend my sincere and personal appreciation to Mr. Patterson for the outstanding work he provided in my divorce case. His actions exemplified dedication to excellent customer service; Yet, he was diligent and sensitive to the information that was provided. He was kind and courteous at all times, and he kept me well informed about the progress in my case. Mr. Patterson helped relieve a great deal of my anxiety and stress in regards to my life changing situation.Well done is better than well said and he has proved it with great effort. I would recommend this gentleman to anyone! Thank you for providing quality students with quality work ethics!"

VanSickle Family Law Clinic - Founding Supporters

$25,000 Over 5 Years

As highlighted in the Fall 2015 issue of the Quad, we are delighted that a generous donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has committed $4 million to create and endow the VanSickle Family Law Clinic at SMU Dedman School of Law. Through endowment, the donor has ensured that low income members of our community will have access to free family law services in perpetuity.

“I hope this gift will help provide quality legal counsel to low-income families struggling with divorce and custody issues, while also creating real life experience and training to nurture the next generation of family law attorneys,” explained the donor.

In order to open this important clinic soon—rather than delaying operations while the endowment matures—we are seeking to create a small group of individuals and firms who are passionate about the work of the clinic and who are willing to help fund operations for the next five years. The gifts will enable us to hire a director this fall and open the Clinic in spring 2016.

The group will be known as the Founding Supporters of the VanSickle Family Law Clinic.

We are off to a great start but still need your help!

Our goal is to secure 20-30 Founding Supporter commitments of $25,000 each (which can be paid over 5 years).

15 Founding Supporters at the $25,000 level and counting!

We are very grateful to the following for their commitment to helping our community in this important way

• Ashley and JR Cook 
• Connatser Family Law
• Dallas Bar Foundation
• Duffee + Eitzen LLP
• Patricia Alden Flateau
• Deborah Hankinson
  Former Justice, Texas Supreme Court 
• Elizabeth Hunter
• GoransonBain, PLLC
• Kenneth C. Long
• Mike and Mary Jo McCurley
• David and Shelley McLane
• Libby and Bob Meyers
• Harriet Miers
  Former White House Counsel
• Jim N. Mueller
  Texas Bar Foundation
• Linda B. Thomas
  Chief Justice, Dallas Court of Appeals (Ret.) 
• Brian Webb
• G. Thayer Williamson

If you are interested in learning about the Founding Supporters project, please contact Anne Beard (agbeard@smu.edu).

Faculty and Staff

Chante Brantley
Director of the VanSickle Family Law Clinic and Clinical Professor of Law

Tarrica Odum
Adjunct Clinical Professor of Law | VanSickle Family Law Clinic

Cristella Barillas
Legal Assistant, VanSickle Family Law Clinic

Mailing Address

SMU Dedman School of Law
P.O. Box 750116
Dallas, TX 75275-0116

Physical Address

SMU Dedman School of Law
Carr Collins Hall
3300 University Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75205 

Legal Clinics

Phone: 214.768.2562
Email: legalclinics@smu.edu