Notre Dame Clinical Law Center - South Bend, IN

Pro Bono Legal Services and Clinical Education in St. Joseph County

Access to quality legal counsel is a fundamental pillar of a fair justice system, yet many individuals, small businesses, and non-profit organizations cannot afford traditional legal fees. If you are searching for pro bono legal aid in South Bend or Hamilton County, the Notre Dame Clinical Law Center provides essential, free legal services to qualifying residents. Established in 1951, the Clinical Law Center serves as a pioneering educational model for Notre Dame Law School's second- and third-year students. Under the direct supervision of highly experienced, licensed clinical law professors, our student attorneys provide compassionate, professional, and rigorous representation to those who need it most.

We believe in educating a different kind of lawyer-one who combines deep legal expertise with a passion for social justice and community service. By representing local clients, our students gain invaluable hands-on courtroom and transactional experience while providing a vital safety net for South Bend residents. If you need an immigration attorney, are facing an eviction, or need trademark advice for a new charity, our clinical teams are dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for you and your organization.

Specialized Pro Bono Legal Clinics

The Notre Dame Clinical Law Center is organized into several highly focused clinics, each targeting specific areas of legal need in our community:

• Eviction Defense Clinic: Facing the loss of your housing is a devastating crisis. Our student attorneys represent tenants in eviction hearings, protect renters from unsafe living conditions, and negotiate with landlords to prevent homelessness.
• Immigration Law Clinic: Navigating federal immigration processes is incredibly complex. We represent local residents before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and in immigration court, assisting with family petitions, citizenship, and deportation defense.
• Applied Mediation Clinic: We provide free mediation services to help parties resolve civil disputes out of court, including child custody disagreements, landlord-tenant disputes, and contract issues, saving both sides the time and cost of litigation.
• Community Development Clinic: This transactional clinic provides free, non-litigation legal counsel to local non-profit organizations and small businesses, advising on entity formation, contracts, and regulatory compliance.
• Intellectual Property Clinic: We assist creative entrepreneurs, inventors, and non-profits with patent, copyright, and trademark protection, helping them secure their innovations and brands.
• Veterans Law Clinic: We provide free legal assistance to U.S. military veterans, helping them navigate disability claims, appeals, and benefits negotiations.

Accessing Free Legal Assistance in South Bend

All legal services provided by the Notre Dame Clinical Law Center are completely free for qualifying clients who meet our income guidelines. We are dedicated to breaking the cycles of poverty, protecting civil rights, and ensuring equal access to justice under the law. Please note that we are only able to accept cases that fit within our designated clinics and academic semesters. If you are looking for a pro bono lawyer or mediator in South Bend, contact the Notre Dame Clinical Law Center today to learn about our intake application process and schedule an evaluation.