Law Clinic

MORE INFORMATION

Jill Friedman
Director of Pro Bono and Public Interest Programs

Rutgers Law School–Camden
(856) 225-6263
jillfrie@camden.rutgers.edu

A partnership with The Law School at Rutgers–Camden makes it possible for LEAP students and families to receive important knowledge and advice on a range of legal issues.

The Law School’s series of Pro Bono and Public Interest programs, supervised by Rutgers Law professor and LEAP Board of Trustees member Jill Friedman, covers housing issues, public benefits, immigration, family law, and much more.  These pro bono law programs also provide valuable applied-learning experiences for Rutgers–Camden law students as these future lawyers are able to work one-on-one with real clients. 

LEGAL PROGRAMS FOR LEAP FAMILIES:
LEAP families are encouraged to utilize the community legal services made available by The Rutgers School of Law–Camden.  For more information about these services, contact the following:

CIVIL PRACTICE CLINIC
Provider? Rutgers Law School
For Who? For civil legal matters (including wills, family law, immigration and more)
When? Open all year
Cost? Free
Contact? Mary Ann Purvenas (856) 225-6568


CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY CLINIC
Provider? Rutgers Law School
For Who? Child abuse and neglect cases
When? Open all year
Cost? Free
Contact? Mary Ann Purvenas (856) 225-6568

IMMIGRATION AND LEGAL REFERRAL PRO BONO PROJECT
Provider? Rutgers Law School
For Who?? For free, confidential immigration advice or referrals for other legal issues (*No ongoing legal representation and no legal advice over the phone)
When? Evenings, call for schedule
Cost? Free
Contact? Gladys Robreno (856) 614-0400 x 5030 PRO BONO

PROJECT (VITA)
Provider? Rutgers Law School
For Who? Low income families who are not required to file returns may be eligible to receive money through the Earned Income Tax Credit.
When? January through April
Cost? Free
Contact? Pam Mertsock-Wolfe (856) 225-6406

CHILDREN’S JUSTICE CLINIC
Provider? Rutgers Law School
For Who? Child delinquency cases
WHEN? Open all year
Cost? Free
Contact? Gwendolyn Jones (856) 225-6425


DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CLINIC
Provider? Rutgers Law School
For Who? For persons seeking confidential legal advice on domestic violence issues
When? Open all year
Cost? Free
Contact? Gwendolyn Jones (856) 225-6425

BANKRUPTCY PRO BONO PROJECT
PROVIDER?South Jersey Legal Services
For Who? For help with filing Chapter 7 petitions
When? Open all year
Cost? Free (856) 964-2010


CHILDREN’S SSI PRO BONO PROJECT
Provider? South Jersey Legal Services
For Who? For parents appealing Children’s SSI denials
When? Open all year
Cost? Free
Contact? South Jersey Legal Services (856) 964-2010VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE

FOR LEAP STUDENTS:
The Rutgers  Law School – Camden also works with high school students interested in the law to improve their legal knowledge.  The following programs are being developed for LEAP students during the 2010-2011 school year:

MARSHALL BRENNAN FELLOWSHIP IN CONSTITUTIONAL LITERACY
(ANTICIPATED SPRING 2011) This full-semester course teaches LEAP high school students about Constitutional law and how it affects their lives.  The course is taught by talented second- and third-year Rutgers law students participating in the Marshall Brennan Fellowship in Constitutional Literacy.

Through their study of the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution, students begin to understand the connection between rights and responsibilities in a democratic society.  Classroom activities include higher level analytical exercises that call upon students to apply facts to legal principles.
 

FINANCIAL LITERACY PRO BONO PROJECT
(ANTICIPATED SPRING 2011) The Financial Literacy Pro Bono Project offers high school students important finance information like personal credit, credit cards, and budgeting.  Through a series of 90-minute assemblies, students are introduced to essential financial knowledge as they transition into college and adulthood.  The assemblies are open to LEAP parents, faculty, and staff as well.