Home Experiential Education Field Placement Program Domestic Violence Field Placement How to Apply

How to Apply

Applying to the Field Placement

The Domestic Violence Law Field Placement (formerly the DV Practicum) is offered only during the spring semester. While the Domestic Violence Law Seminar (282.1) is not a prerequisite, students are encouraged to take this course in the fall, and then the Practicum in the spring.

Applications are due, if possible, by Nov. 1, 2024, but it is a good idea to apply earlier so you and the instructor can arrange your placement well ahead of time.

Please apply here. 

More about the Domestic Violence Field Placement

Want to work with real attorneys and clients impacted by intimate partner violence/domestic violence?

Each Spring semester, Berkeley Law students can enroll in the Domestic Violence Field Placement in one of a variety of placements including family law/restraining orders, defense, immigration, prosecution, asylum, appeals, employment, housing, or with a Judge.

For more information & application:  contact the DV Field Placement Director: Mallika Kaur, mallikakaur@law.berkeley.edu

  • Placements are located throughout the greater Bay Area. If you are certified (taking or have taken Evidence), you can represent clients in court.
  • Opportunity to work with DV survivors, learn important legal skills, experience negotiating trauma and emotions of legal work, and build a collaborative network of legal contacts.
  • Enroll for 5-7 units total. 3-5 units (12-20 hrs/week) at placement, plus weekly 2 credit class. LLMs can enroll for 2 units (8 hrs)— provided the placement that agrees to this limited time—plus the 2-credit class.
  • Satisfies the Professional Responsibility requirement for law school graduation.
  • Companion course: Domestic Violence Law (taught by Mallika Kaur) in the Fall, is not a prerequisite, but highly encouraged.
  • You can enroll twice! Springs of 2L & 3L

Partial List of Possible Placements for Spring 2025

Civil Legal Settings

  • Family Violence Appellate Project (appeals, mostly family law) – Oakland (remote or hybrid)
  • District Attorney’s domestic violence units – San Francisco, Alameda
  • Tahirih Justice Center (asylum, VAWA self-petitions, U/T visas, forced marriage)— San Bruno
  • Family Violence Law Center (restraining orders) – Oakland
  • Bay Area Legal Aid (DV Family Law and Survivor Based Immigration) – Napa, Richmond, Oakland, San Francisco, Redwood City, San Jose – hybrid remote/in person placements possible.
  • Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (immigration, ) – SF and Oakland
  • UnCommon Law (parole work with incarcerated survivors) – Oakland
  • East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (asylum) – Berkeley
  • Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (asylum – policy work) – SF
  • Legal Aid at Work (employment issues) – SF
  • Public defender’s offices (Contra Costa – confirmed)
  • CA Partnership to End Domestic Violence (Policy work) – Sacramento
  • SF District Attorney

Other placements may be possible if arranged with the instructor.

Here is the PDF for the Domestic Violence Field Placement Flyer.