Buck Colbert Franklin Legal Clinic (B.C. Franklin Clinic)

The B.C. Franklin Legal Clinic launched in fall 2021 with the generous support of the Sanford and Irene Burnstein Family Foundation and The University of Tulsa’s College of Law alumni.

Students enroll in the B.C. Franklin Clinic for one semester and can earn six academic credit hours. They may also enroll in an advanced clinical semester, where they can represent clients in particularly challenging matters or work on research projects.

In the clinic, students gain experience working on legal matters for real clients. From intake through case closing, they develop essential lawyering skills by managing client cases. Students can expect opportunities to interview clients, draft petitions, motions and briefs, and learn basic evidence and trial advocacy. Through both client work and seminar participation, students also build skills in cross-cultural and trauma-informed lawyering.

In the clinic seminar, students delve into the history of north Tulsa and the impact of that history on today’s community. They study the Tulsa Race Massacre and the attempts to obtain justice for the survivors and descendants of the victims. These discussions allow students to gain an understanding of the role of the justice system in the lives of marginalized communities, the implicit bias and systemic racism inherent in the systems in which lawyers work, the challenges of public interest lawyering, and the balance between community education and individual representation.

Requests for legal services are continually evaluated to reflect changes and additions in the community’s legal needs. To ensure year-round service, the clinic employs a staff attorney and a legal fellow who can provide representation when school is not in session