Juris Doctor - Family Law

University of Akron

Family law is a hot practice area because the modern variety of family relationships presents new and challenging questions for the law. The field offers sustained employment opportunities because people always need help with the family issues of daily life. Whether you work for a small firm, solo practice, legal aid organization, governmental agency or court, family law offers a variety of contexts for practice. Family lawyers handle disputes about parental rights, child support, divorce, marriage recognition, grandparents’ rights, adoption, juvenile issues, and domestic violence. They work as advocates, prosecutors, guardians ad litem, mediators, magistrates, and judges.Distinguish yourself at Akron Law through our specialized training and experience opportunities. In addition to our many course offerings, externships give you practical training in domestic relations courts, juvenile courts, legal aid organizations, family and children services agencies, and the prosecutor’s child support enforcement agency. Akron Law’s longstanding affiliation with the local bar association offers an organized mentoring program and opportunity for students to network with practicing attorneys from their first year. Opportunities to work as upper-classmen with local practitioners and judges give you that apprenticeship experience to help you go from the classroom to the courtroom. In fact, as part of our new Domestic Relations Clinic, you can appear in Portage County court, argue at hearings, prepare legal briefs, and advise clients under the supervision and guidance of an experienced practitioner.