Student volunteer Brian Pilon reviews documents.
Whether it’s at a clinic, an externship or a pro bono activity, students at The John Marshall Law School are gaining practical experience in dealing with legal issues before they graduate and become members of the Bar.
“We have an array of externships that give our students the opportunity to work in court, for a not-for-profit organization, in judicial chambers or in the corporate world. The students come away with a better understanding of the law, and the experiences greatly enhance students’ résumés,” said Clinical Professor Susann MacLachlan, director of Clinical Programs. John Marshall students externed with 50 judges this summer.
At the Fair Housing Legal Clinic at John Marshall, students work with persons facing discrimination in their housing choices. While students learn how to investigate and analyze cases and how to prepare discovery motions and pleadings, their work gives Chicago area residents free legal services that can resolve the issue or lead to actions before federal, state and county courts and commissions.
“Working at the Fair Housing Legal Clinic has helped me to not only recognize issues and prepare for trial, but also how to work with clients—skills I believe will set me apart from my peers,” said third-year student Louis Raymond.
Students at the Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic at John Marshall work with veterans who are having difficulty getting health and education benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These students are learning how to assess a veteran’s needs and work with Illinois attorneys who can argue on behalf of the veteran.
John Marshall has been expanding student opportunities with organizations in the Chicago area.
Student volunteers are working at the JusticeCorps Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program at Cook County’s Daley Center, assisting homeowners who are facing foreclosure. Volunteers offer a range of information, such as explaining the difference between a motion and an order, or what is an appearance and an answer—both of which require paperwork to be filed with the court.
The law student volunteers have enabled the Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program’s help desk to assist homeowners who struggle to navigate the complicated mortgage foreclosure process quickly and efficiently. They are supervised by legal aid attorneys from the Chicago Legal Clinic.
Colette Safford, a second-year student, said she volunteered because “as a homeowner, I know foreclosure affects not just the homeowner but neighborhood properties as well.”
Students with just a few hours a week volunteer with the Illinois Legal Aid Online LiveHelp services. The student volunteers chat live through the Internet with people who are seeking legal information at www.IllinoisLegalAid.org and help point the writer to a source or sources that can offer them the legal expertise they need to resolve the problem they’re dealing with.
“Our efforts are giving students an up-close look at the legal system,” said Katie Anderson, Pro Bono Program coordinator. “We have programs that offer students a range of activities, whether they choose to work directly with clients or prefer to do research for appellate cases.”
For additional information on the pro bono program, contact Anderson at 312.427.2737 ext. 476.