The North Carolina Central University School of Law Family Law Clinic continues its commitment to the community through hands-on advocacy that is changing lives.
Under the leadership of Professor Katrina Smith ‘09, clinical students Ivan Cunningham, Sterling Elliott, Nadteya Glover, Janelle Moore, Melody Moorehead IV, Kylie Kelly and Taylor Wheeler have delivered positive results for families navigating complex legal matters.
This semester, students successfully represented clients in child custody and summary judgment of divorce proceedings in Wake and Durham counties.
One of the most profound moments came when second-year law student Sterling Elliott presented a summary judgment motion after overcoming several procedural hurdles. When the court granted the divorce, the client broke down in tears, bringing years of uncertainty to an end.
“It was a humbling experience,” Elliott said. “Knowing that someone was relying on us to represent them during a difficult time in their life helped me understand the trust the community places in us and how important it is to be a good steward of that trust.”
In another case, Janelle Moore, Taylor Wheeler and Melody Moorehead IV helped a grandmother secure sole legal and physical custody of her granddaughter, providing stability and protection for the child.
For Wheeler, the experience revealed just how immediate the impact of family law can be.
“What surprised me the most is how immediately the work we do impacts someone’s life,” she said. “In other areas of law, things can feel more removed or delayed, but in family law the decisions being made in the courtroom can affect a family that very same day.”
“Seeing that firsthand was really powerful for me,” Wheeler continued. “When you stand up in court and advocate for your client, the outcome can shape something as significant as where a child will call home until they’re 18 years old or how a family moves forward when a divorce is finalized the same day as the hearing. It reinforced that what we write and say in the courtroom has the ability to change someone’s life, and that is a responsibility I take very seriously.”
Through the clinic’s classroom component, students refine their advocacy skills before entering the courtroom. Professor Smith assigns students older case files and asks them to prepare oral arguments as if they are presenting before a presiding judge. Students also draft hearing scripts and outline their legal arguments in preparation for upcoming court appearances.
“I was surprised by how often we simply had to lend an ear to our clients,” Elliott said. “Many of the cases we handle are very emotional. Sometimes clients just need someone to sit with them on the phone for a moment and know that someone hears them and empathizes with what they’re going through.”Beyond litigation, the NCCU Family Law Clinic continues its partnership with Legal Aid of North Carolina. Students lead monthly divorce workshops to expand access to justice for individuals navigating the legal system.
Working directly with clients has also challenged students to translate complex legal concepts into plain language.
“The process of identifying issues, applying the rules and reaching a conclusion remains the same,” Elliott said. “But explaining it to clients is different from writing a law school exam answer. Clients don’t need us to read a statute they need us to explain how it applies to their case.”