The Michigan State University College of Law is home to eight law clinics, each specializing in a public service area of the law that provides professional legal counsel to the most vulnerable people in society. 

Each clinic is directed by licensed attorneys who are members of the MSU Law faculty and staffed by law students who gain critical hands-on research and litigation experience. The clinics provide pro bono legal services and have won important cases for clients across the country.

MSU Law clinics cover the following areas of the law: immigration, family and juvenile law, housing, small business, public defense, Indian law, tax law, and first amendment.

In this law clinic podcast series, MSU Today explores how our law clinics have won life-changing cases for clients and have given students valuable experience to help launch successful legal careers. 

For today’s episode, we talk with Joseph Kozakiewicz, director of the Chance at Childhood Clinic, as April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:20) – What is your background? What brought you to MSU Law? 

(5:23) - You have been directing the clinic for over 20 years, so how did you get involved with the clinic? What are you passionate about this work?

(8:27) - Provide us an overview of the clinic. What services do you offer and provide? The clinic is unique in how it engages both law and social work students. It’s important to have students from both disciplines working together on cases.

(17:08) - How does Michigan’s child welfare system compare to other states?

(19:19) - There is a growing movement and awareness to include social workers when it comes to law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Why is this important?

(21:27) – How can people contact the clinic?

(22:59) - What types of education and outreach work do you offer to legal and social work practitioners?

(25:41) – Joe, what would you like us to keep in mind about the clinic?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.