STUDENT GROUPSStudent-initiated projects continue to form a critical core of the Toll Public Interest Center's pro bono requirement. Many of the student-run pro bono projects have forged unique and effective alliances with graduate students in other departments. For example, our Animal Rights Project works in collaboration with students from the Veterinary School , the Penn Law Advocates for the Homeless works closely with students from Penn's School of Social Policy & Practice, and our law-related education programs collaborate with the Graduate School of Education. Here are several examples: Animal Law ProjectThe Animal Law Project works to improve the lives and legal status of animals and encourages animal advocacy by supporting advocates and educating the public. ALP members assist individual attorneys and organizations, teach legal education workshops for the public, and develop an outreach-oriented website with resources for animal activists, advocates, and students, among other projects. For more information, please visit www.animallawproject.org. Custody and Support AssistanceThis student-run project provides legal assistance and referrals to low-income clients in the area of child custody and support. Environmental Law ProjectStudents engage in pro bono and for-credit research projects to actively address the unmet needs of environmental preservation and justice on a local, regional, national and international level through support for legislative advocacy, community lawyering, and policy research. Past areas of student research/work have involved issues such as public access to information, waterfront development and protected area status. The Project currently runs an externship with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, a local environmental group, in public interest environmental lawyering. Students apply an interdisciplinary focus to address the legal, scientific, economic, political and social factors that are involved in environmental lawyering. Guild Food Stamp ProjectFounded in 1984, this student-run project provides legal counseling and representation to clients in food stamp cases. This year 16 Penn Law students participated in the Project and provided assistance to nearly 300 clients in food stamp cases. Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy ProjectLaw students teach high school students about their rights and responsibilities under the Constitution utilizing the We the Students textbook, written by law professor and founder of the program, Jamie Raskin. Penn Law students also prepare area high school students for the annual nationwide Moot Court Competition held in Washington D.C. Penn Advocates for the HomelessStudents provide legal assistance to homeless by conducting outreach at local West Philadelphia 's homeless shelters. This year Penn Advocates for the Homeless trained 13 new advocates who opened 50 cases in a variety of substantive areas of law including landlord-tenant, disability, family law, government benefits, and workers' compensation. The group works in collaboration with the Penn's School of Social Policy & Practice. Penn Housing Rights ProjectThrough daily observations of landlord/tenant proceedings, students collect data on the extent to which the court complies with procedural and substantive rules and the particular challenges facing under-represented clients. Penn Law Immigration Clinic"PLIC is a student-run clinic that provides direct legal services to indigent immigrants in the greater Philadelphia area. PLIC students assist individuals from all over the world in applications for asylum, and for benefits under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Additionally, students are engaged in research relating to immigration appeals and unlawful detention at Guantanamo Bay with pro bono attorneys at Reed Smith. Penn Law International Human Rights AdvocatesIHRA seeks to create a space within the Penn Law community to conduct research, undertake advocacy campaigns, and educate colleagues on contemporary issues of international human rights. IHRA has four programming elements - a human rights clinic, an advocacy program, a spring break trip, and a career forum for international human rights. For more information, please visit www.law.upenn.edu/groups/ihra or email ihra@law.upenn.edu. Prisoners' Rights ProjectThrough this student-run project, law student provides inmates with legal assistance in matters ranging from civil rights violations to confiscated property. Reproductive Rights ProjectLaunched in January 2005, the Reproductive Rights Project is assisting the Women's Law Project on legislation as well as legal research and writing on local, state and federal issues and activities that may advance or undermine reproductive rights. The clinic advocates for women who seek access to reproductive health services. For more information, visit www.law.upenn.edu/groups/plrrc. Street LawThrough Street Law, advocates teach a law related curriculum on social justice to middle and high school students throughout Philadelphia. Unemployment Compensation ProjectUCP advocates represent unemployment claimants who are appealing their denials of unemployment compensation. Advocates interview clients, research applicable law, and conduct direct and cross examinations and give closing statements before an administrative law judge. |
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