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Under the umbrella of the 's pro bono initiative, students volunteer to provide aid and service to fellow Ole Miss students seeking legal advocacy as part of the university's Office of Confidential Advocacy, Support and Education.

Students who find themselves affected by sexual assault, relationship violence or stalking can seek confidential assistance, said Shelli Poole, the office's director. If it's determined that they need court-issued protection, law students volunteering with the Domestic Abuse Protective Order clinic step in to assist.

Once a judge signs an emergency protective order, law students have 10 days to collect evidence that a permanent protective order is necessary.

"Our job is to prove that there is an imminent threat of harm over a period of time," third-year law student Baker LaChance said. "We're attempting to obtain permanent protection orders to ensure that people are protected for a longer period of time than what an emergency protective order would provide them."

To prove such harm, the volunteers compile evidence such as interviews and communication exchanges. The law students work with practicing attorneys who volunteer their time to prepare for and attend court hearings.

"We're getting to shadow the attorney through the process and learn best practices for how to obtain a domestic abuse protective order," LaChance said. "We're learning about the legal process and what it looks like in the courtroom, how to look at evidence that might be relevant, what questions are important, how cross examination works and the process itself."

Student lawyers are also learning to be sensitive and guide real-world clients.

"Conversations surrounding the physical and sexual trauma these clients have experienced are uncomfortable and deeply personal," said Cori Benefiel, the project coordinator. "Most of our students have not had the opportunity to interact with real clients up until this point.

"Learning how to ask the hard questions and helping someone tell their story in a way that also meets the merits of the case are important skills that take time to develop."

This partnership is staffed completely by volunteer attorneys and law students.

"In order to do this program, you have to have a ton of empathy and professionalism," LaChance said. "That is most crucial to the program, as well as respecting the wishes of the petitioner and what they're experiencing because it can be traumatic."

During this process and as needed, affected students can seek further assistance from CASE.

"We work to provide an individualized plan for the student to heal and move forward to meet his or her personal and academic goals," Poole said. The plan can involve academic accommodations, a safety strategy and medical care.

"It's an issue that we're not talking about in this country the same way that we talk about cancer or heart disease, but it's equally as deadly," he said.

Because of passionate students such as LaChance, the volunteer clinic is growing. This fall, 13 students will be working for the cause and gaining skills at the same time, up from seven this school year.

"The students walk away from this program as advocates," Benefiel said.

"When they're able to observe the professional interactions taking place between opposing counsel and the judges, they get to see all parties working together to create the safest outcomes. Effective communication in these cases is imperative."

Attorneys who would like to volunteer their time and services to the program should contact Cori Benefiel at cbenefie@olemiss.edu.

Students who need assistance from confidential advocates should contact the office of CASE at case@olemiss.edu or its free and confidential 24-hour helpline at 662-816-5377.

Top: Ole Miss law students who volunteer for the Domestic Abuse Protective Order Clinic get real-world experience helping clients obtain legal protection from sexual assault, relationship violence or stalking. Photo illustration by Stefanie Goodwiller/University Marketing and Communications