A client came to the B.C. Franklin Legal Clinic in The University of Tulsa’s College of Law seeking emergency guardianship of her 18-year-old son, who required full-time care due to severe intellectual disabilities, autism and significant behavioral challenges.
Working with the client, UTulsa Law student Paula Carbin prepared and filed the necessary guardianship documents. But just as the emergency petition was moving forward, an unexpected obstacle emerged.
The day before the hearing, the court notified the clinic that the client had multiple outstanding municipal warrants due to traffic citations that would need to be resolved before the guardianship could be granted.
Carbin quickly shifted her focus from guardianship work to municipal court advocacy. After gathering documentation, preparing arguments and appearing in court with the client, she successfully negotiated with prosecutors to waive fines associated with the warrants. She then persuaded the court to waive nearly $2,500 in court costs, clearing all outstanding warrants and removing the barrier to guardianship.
The following day, the clinic refiled the emergency guardianship petition, and the client was granted emergency guardianship of her son.
“Paula deserves so much credit for handling this client’s case with thoughtfulness and compassion. Under the tutelage of Staff Attorney, Courtney Hartwell, our team was able to see the myriad of legal needs of our client and provide holistic representation to help her reach her take care of her son,” said Alex Gavern, Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Buck Colbert Franklin Legal Clinic Director.
The case reflects the hands-on experience students gain through the B.C. Franklin Legal Clinic, where students manage real legal matters under attorney supervision. From client intake through case resolution, students develop practical skills in interviewing clients, drafting legal documents, appearing in court and advocating on behalf of community members.
Launched in 2021, the clinic is named for Buck Colbert Franklin, the attorney who represented survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre after his own home and law office were destroyed. Working from a Red Cross tent in Greenwood, Franklin served his community and pursued justice on behalf of those affected by the attack.
Today, the clinic carries forward that legacy by providing legal services to historically underserved community members while preparing future attorneys through experiential learning.