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ECDC was one of my favorite law school experiences! As students, I worked directly with clients from the local community and provided meaningful advice. I also learned from my clients about their specific needs and had to problem solve to better serve them. I learned how to form different entities and work with my partner to achieve our clients’ goals. The experience prepared me for real-world practice. I highly recommend ECDC to any student—whether they plan to do litigation or transactional work. -Bebe Thomas, J.D. |
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The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic (ECDC) was a great opportunity not only to develop practical and professional legal skills but also to learn more about and get involved with the wider Houston community. As a student attorney under Professor Heard’s supervision, I had opportunities to work on several matters and with various clients with organizations in the Houston community. My work in the ECDC included assisting clients with items such as entity formation and maintenance to support their for-profit or nonprofit organization goals, conducting client interview and consultations, and drafting and coordinating filing of supporting organizational documents such as Certificates of Formation and Bylaws. Furthermore, the ECDC required collaboration with other student attorneys in the clinic, which allowed for opportunities to learn from my peers and develop my teamwork skills. Overall, my ECDC experience was invaluable in providing for opportunities to learn and apply business law in a setting different from that in the traditional classroom. It also supported growth in practical and professional legal skills that I am confident will support my legal training and career development. -Elizabeth Do, J.D. expected May 2024 |
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The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic has been one of the most enriching aspects of my time as a law student. Director Heard is an inspiring professor who cultivates a structured yet free-thinking space for students to exercise professional judgment. The practical experience I’ve gained from working with clients, conducting research, and meeting billable hours has been invaluable to my professional growth. I have been able to draft entity formation documents for Houston-area organizations who are committed to helping and strengthening their community. It truly has been a rewarding experience. -Darlene Brown, J.D. expected December 2023 |
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The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic is the most important experience any future transactional lawyer could have in law school. Under the expert guidance and training of Professor Heard, I had the opportunity to manage my own clients, prepare and run meetings, draft substantive agreements, form business entities, and practice the other soft skills that are critical to the practice of law. These skills and experiences have proved invaluable as I have started my legal career. Most importantly, the clinic provided a way for me to give back to the community and build a lifelong passion for pro bono legal work. I highly recommend all law students consider joining the clinic to give back to the community while learning how to be a practicing attorney. -Tripp Hise, J.D. |
