Law Students
Cultivating the next generation of community lawyers
Law students spend spring, summer, fall and winter breaks with the Mississippi Center for Justice. In addition to much-needed support, they bring energy and enthusiasm to the Center’s work, and typically leave with a heightened awareness about the need for, and the personal fulfillment in, a law career dedicated to public service.
Law students have been involved in various campaigns. The projects are limited only by the students’ imaginations and desire to become part of the fabric of Mississippi life. Their work often leaves a legacy of advocacy where only silence previously existed.
To learn more about what students have to say about their time in Mississippi, visit their blogs:
University of Texas School of Law Texas Lawyer
University of Texas School of Law Student Blog
The Maryland Law Katrina Project
Legal Clinics
Law students provide counseling and conduct in-take at legal clinics organized by the Center. From conducting public outreach to preparing files for referral to attorneys, students provide a much-needed source of hands-on action to meet the needs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as in other regions of the state.
Surveys and Research
Students conduct surveys and research projects to help communities and neighborhoods better understand how to become advocates for their own fair housing needs. By educating and advising residents, students are empowering residents to become engaged in local land use issues, public housing improvements and economic justice campaigns.
Public Outreach
The barrier to action is often a lack of information. From foreclosure prevention to predatory lending and accessing healthcare benefits, education is often the key to community action. Law students are often the source for creating public education materials and disseminating information that empowers advocates and residents to access services and avoid scams.
Partnership with Law Schools
Through the years, the Mississippi Center for Justice embarked on unique partnerships with law schools to provide students for focused projects aimed at developing the students skills while providing critical capacity for the Center’s work. Please contact Karen Lash at karen@lash.us
