Accelerator Practice

The Accelerator Practice is an in-house law practice located within Suffolk Law School and newly created in 2014 as part of the larger Accelerator Program.

The in-house Accelerator practice represents average-income individuals who otherwise lack access to the justice system. Students will develop the legal skills and business practices needed to lead or participate in a solo or small private law firm.

Instruction will focus on the skills necessary to handle the types of cases for which there is a demand among average-income clients. Training will include law practice planning, technology and management, and other law practice competencies, while representing clients in eviction, housing discrimination and consumer protection cases. Students may also handle criminal records sealing cases. 

In most cases, students will serve as primary counsel for clients. Students will interview and advise clients, prepare pleadings, discovery and memoranda, draft and argue motions, and conduct negotiations, administrative hearings and trials. Students will handle administrative matters before various housing authorities, housing discrimination matters before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Boston Fair Housing Commission, and housing cases in Boston Housing Court and Chelsea District Court.