‘A Lifeline for Many’: The Justice Center Featured in Albany Times Union
The Law Clinic and Justice Center at Albany Law School was featured in the Times Union's November 15, 2018 special section, "Capital Region Gives," an annual look at the good being done by nonprofits in the greater Albany area.
In the article "Law Clinic & Justice Center a lifeline for many," reporter Jennifer Patterson wrote that the Clinic "has been quietly making an impact in the Capital Region for decades" as "countless residents in need have received free law-related services" from the students, faculty, and staff involved with Albany Law School's various clinical programs.
During the 2017-18 academic year, students, through the Clinic, provided law-related pro bono work totaling tens of thousands of hours. They helped immigrant youth and asylum-seekers, served as a resource for budding nonprofits and startup businesses, relieved the legal burdens from clients receiving treatment for chronic medical conditions, represented survivors of domestic violence in the courtroom, helped prosecute cases for area Special Victim Units, and much more.
The most recent graduating class exceeded 42,000 hours of pro bono service while at Albany Law School.
Highlighted in the article were the perspectives of Connie Mayer, associate dean and director of the Law Clinic & Justice Center; Professor Ted De Barbieri, director of the Community Development Clinic and Pro Bono Program; and Chaula Shukla, Barry A. Gold health law staff attorney. "Our five in-house clinics are the heart of the clinical program, training students who then provide direct law services to clients who otherwise couldn't afford to be represented," Dean Mayer said.
In recognition of its community work, the Law Clinic & Justice Center was selected, with The Legal Project, to receive the 2018 Nonprofit Organization Award from the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce.
