Upcoming Events
SPRING 2012 EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
1. NATIONAL SEA GRANT LAW CENTER: OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI
The National Sea Grant Law Center is seeking law student assistance in the development of a Working Waterfronts Pro Bono Plan. During the course of the project, the law student would help NSGLC attorneys research national pro bono networks, develop surveys and interview pro bono attorneys, solicit project team input, and draft portions of the pro bono plan. The project is described in more detail below. Students may earn one hour of Z credit for forty hours of work on pro bono projects during law school. If you are interested in this project, contact OleMissprobono@gmail.com AND Stephanie Showalter Otts at sshowalt@olemiss.edu.
2. FAST: LOW-INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROJECT: OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI
Gain interviewing and transactional experience assisting low-income taxpayers to complete simple returns through the Free Assisted Self-Service Tax (FAST) program. For more information about this project or to donate an old laptop to aid with the tax returns, contact OleMissProBono@gmail.com AND Emily James at eejames18@gmail.com.
3. CALL CENTER: OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI
The Pro Bono Initiative and Mississippi Legal Services are in the initial stages of designing a joint call center project. Once established, students will have an opportunity to work with legal services attorneys to respond to questions from low-income clients across the north half of the state, in a wide range of topics (including housing, consumer, benefits, health, disability, family, estates and other areas). The Pro Bono Initiative is seeking four student volunteers for this semester to work with Professor Bell and Legal Services in the initial stages of this project. If you are interested in this project, contact OleMissprobono@gmail.com.
4. CHILD SUPPORT MODIFICATION PROJECT: OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012
The Pro Bono Program Child Support Project hosts its second interview day on campus on Friday, February 10 from 12 PM to 5 PM. This project links students with volunteer attorneys to assist child support payors in modification actions. Students handle a case from interview to court under the supervision of Professor Deborah Bell and a volunteer attorney. An informational packet, forms, and relevant excerpts on family law from Professor Bell’s book are available under the resources tab on the Pro Bono Initiative’s website.
5. ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK, IMMIGRATION LAW: MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
MONDAY, MARCH 12 – FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012 (SPRING BREAK)
The UM Pro Bono Project and the Public Interest Law Foundation are cosponsoring an Immigration Law Project over Spring Break. The Project, in conjunction with the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee, will pair students with experienced immigration attorneys to assist immigrant victims of serious crimes to secure U-Visas.
6. PRO SE DAY: GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012
Build hours toward the Pro Bono Credit hour, gain family law experience at the courthouse, and network with practicing attorneys. The Pro Bono Initiative of the law school is sponsoring a trip to Greenville to assist self-represented litigants in completing pleadings and presenting family law matters to the Washington County Chancery Court. Students will interview and assist litigants under the supervision of the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project and experienced volunteer attorneys.
The group will leave the law school at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, and return by 5:00 p.m. The trip will satisfy one-fourth of the time to gain a Pro Bono Credit hour. If you are interested, please respond to OleMissProBono@gmail.com
7. HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION PROJECT: OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2012
Sign up for the Pro Bono Program’s second High School Education Project at the Oxford High School. Practice your speaking skills and help educate high school seniors about their rights in rental housing. Professor Bell’s Pro Bono Working Group has designed an entertaining and informative presentation for high school seniors, complete with a “People’s Court” sketch, hypothetical litigants, and a packet of materials. The Program is looking for 12 student volunteers to present the one-hour program to a class. Volunteers will be provided with the packet in advance and will be trained on how to present the program. Each team will work with a volunteer professor or attorney. If you are interested, please respond to OleMissProBono@gmail.com.
8. LAW SCHOOL FAMILY LAW CLINIC: OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012
The Pro Bono Project and the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyer Project is cosponsoring a Legal Clinic at the law school assisting low-income Mississippians with divorce, custody, guardianship, domestic violence, emancipation, and other matters.
Professor Deborah Bell will provide a family law CLE training. Student and attorney volunteers will assist clients after that. You may assist clients without attending the CLE if you have a class conflict. If you are interested but cannot attend the entire program, let us know the hours that you are available. Time counts toward the one-hour Pro Bono credit. If you are unable to attend but interested in similar future events, please let us know. Register by emailing OleMissProBono@gmail.com.