Carolyn Grose, “Flies on the Wall or in the Ointment – Some Thoughts on the Role of Clinic Supervisors at Initial Client Interviews”

This article uses the question of whether or not supervisors attend initial client interviews with their students as a lens through which to examine other questions about supervision theory, clinical pedagogy, and professional responsibility.  Ultimately, the article concludes that the decision whether to attend client interviews can be one that the supervisor makes on a case-by-case, student-by-student basis, and may be made in collaboration with the student. 

The majority of individuals did not attend the interview. These individuals were under the belief that students learn best and most from assuming the role of lawyer as early and completely as possible in their relationship with the client. Those supervisors who did attend the interview believed it was a valuable opportunity to teach the student a valuable skill. They believe that not attending the interview leaves students vulnerable to engaging in poor interviewing techniques that, uncorrected, might turn into bad habits.

In line with the debate of how students learn best is the debate about the goals of teaching and the roles and duties of clinical supervisors. Supervisors who did not attend the interview were of the opinion that the relationship between the client and the student would be compromised if they attended the interview. In stark contrast, supervisors who did attend the interview felt they were primary motivated by their professional responsibility toward the client. They believe that their presence is necessary to address the anxiety and frustration the client might have about having a student attorney, and they are concerned about their own professional obligations. There is also concern about supervisors’ professional obligations to ensure the client is getting the best service possible. Although a supervisor may not directly attend an interview, they still intervene throughout the supervisory relationship, whether that be role-playing or asking questions about planning. The question should not be whether to attend the interview but how best to guide students through the learning steps, all while considering the needs of the case, the client, and the supervisor. Supervisors must continually ask themselves how and why they choose to engage in a particular supervisory relationship.

Carolyn Grose, “Flies on the Wall or in the Ointment – Some Thoughts on the Role of Clinic Supervisors at Initial Client Interviews” (2008) 14:2 Clinical L Rev 415.