Transcript MARQUETTE VOLUNTEER LEGAL CLINIC STUDENT ORIENTATION

MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
LAW SCHOOL
PRO BONO LEGAL CLINICS
STUDENT ORIENTATION
Marquette: Be The Difference
Pro Bono Legal Clinics at MULS
This training applies to the following three pro bono
opportunities at the Law School
 Marquette
Volunteer Legal Clinic (MVLC)
 Marquette Legal Initiative for Nonprofit Corporations
(M-LINC)
 Legal and Medical Partnership for Families (LAMP)
Clinic Model & Overview
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Legal Information & Referral Services
Provided by Volunteer Attorneys
Assisted by Marquette Law Students
Typically 2 hour shifts, approximately 1x per month
Opportunities to substitute for others
Clinics operating 5 days per week at 6 locations
MVLC Mission and History
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Mission
 To serve the Milwaukee community in Marquette Law
School’s Jesuit tradition by increasing access to justice and
assisting unrepresented persons, while providing learning
and mentoring opportunities for law students.
History
 Student-driven project operating since 2002
 Largest MU Law School outreach
 Operating at the House of Peace since 2003; Spanish
Center Hillview site since 2008; VA and Milwaukee Justice
Center since 2009
 Provided services to Hurricane evacuees relocated to
Milwaukee in 2005
 Provided services at Project Homeless Connect in 2010
M-LINC Mission and History
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Mission
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To help provide Wisconsin 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
with access to free legal advice, while providing learning
and mentoring opportunities for law students.
History
Project operating since 2008
 Weekly clinics at MULS
 Overseen by MULS staff (Attorney Karin Werner)
 Over 800 questions answered for nonprofits in three years
 Generally transactional legal issues (i.e., corporate, tax,
employment, intellectual property, and employment law
questions)
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LAMP Mission and History
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Mission
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Provide collaboration between clinicians and lawyers to
ensure that the basic needs of families are met. Improve the
future health and well-being for low-income children in the
City of Milwaukee.
History
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In 2009, MULS partnered with Children’s Hospital of
Wisconsin, the Medical College of Wisconsin and Quarles &
Bradyn LLP. A systematic advocacy model was designed to
allow physicians to work beside lawyers to “treat” the social
determinants that exacerbate health problems for children
and families.
MVLC Hours &
Locations
*House of Peace
1702 W. Walnut St.
Tuesdays 3-7 p.m.
*Hillview
1615 S. 22nd St.
Wednesdays 5–7 p.m.
Milwaukee County VA Services
6419 W. Greenfield Ave
1st & 3rd Mondays 4-6 p.m.
Milwaukee Justice Center
901 N. 9th St. Jury Management Room
Fridays 2-4 p.m.
*Free Shuttle Service
available to House of Peace
and Hillview locations.
Pickups at the Law School occur
15 minutes before and after the
start of each shift; will
accommodate students with
classes ending at same time as
shift starts
M-LINC and LAMP Locations
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M-LINC
 Wednesdays
from 12:00 to 1:45
p.m. and 1:45 to 3:30 p.m.
 MULS Eisenberg Suite, Office 138D
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LAMP
 Wednesdays
from 2:00 to 5:00
p.m., two students work together
 Downtown Health Clinic at 1020 N.
12th Street (12th and State), just 4
blocks from the law school.
Expectations
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What you can expect from us:
Attorney supervision and guidance at all sites
 A schedule that matches your availability
 Transportation to MVLC’s House of Peace and Hillview sites
 On-site legal research resources
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What we expect from you:
Keep track of your shifts and arrive on time
 If you know you will not be able to work – find a substitute
 Familiarize yourself with the resources available
 Dress appropriately (business casual)
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Why Pro Bono?
• The childhood poverty rate in Milwaukee is the fourth highest in the nation.
• Although income is not considered for eligibility for MULS pro bono
services, most clients are of very modest means.
• Two-thirds of MVLC clients report income of less than $1500 and all LAMP
clients qualify for public benefits.
• Up to 80% of poor Wisconsin households that confront a legal need do so
without legal assistance.
Professional Ethics Obligations
Wisconsin
Supreme Court Rules of
Professional Responsibility apply.
Key rules:
Competency & the Unauthorized
Practice of Law
Confidentiality
Conflicts of Interest
Competency
Our work requires "legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness
and preparation reasonably necessary for the
representation." SCR 20:1.1
 Law students must never provide legal advice
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This would constitute the unauthorized practice of law
Law students’ role is to support the attorney’s ability
to provide competent legal advice with:
Research of relevant substantive legal questions
 Resources that are available at the Clinic, and
 Referrals to other agencies (www.legalhelpmilwaukee.org).
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Confidentiality
All information relating to your interview with a client is
confidential.
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Do not disclose clients’ names or personal information
to anyone outside of the Clinic.
Do not discuss clients' stories or situations outside the
Clinic.
Do not remove interview notes from the Clinic.
Avoid being overheard either during the client
interview or in the clinic office.
Conflicts of Interest
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If a client's problem involves an entity that you have worked with
outside of the Clinic, advise the attorney and excuse yourself from that
interview.
SCR 20:6.5 Nonprofit and court-annexed limited legal services
programs special rules
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A lawyer volunteering for
 a short-term limited legal services program
 sponsored by an accredited law school
 without expectation of ongoing representation
Is NOT subject to the usual rules of conflict of interest UNLESS they have ACTUAL
KNOWLEDGE of a conflict.
Students only check for FREQUENCY of client visits, NOT conflict of
interests.
Professionalism
We should treat all clients with professionalism
and advocate on their behalf. To do so:
Be attentive to clients
 Avoid legalese
 Respect clients’ viewpoints, even those with
which you don’t sympathize
 Be respectful of clients’ personal situations and
cultures
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Professionalism (continued)
Listen carefully to clients' stories to understand
their goals
 Empathize with clients to develop trust and
rapport
 Ask any questions necessary to clarify or better
understand the facts underlying clients’
problems or disputes.
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Appropriate DressWhat is “Business Casual?”
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This
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Not that
Role of law students
 Prepare
for interview
 Provide Explanation of Clinic Services
 Assist attorney in the interview process
 Provide research & resources
 Maintain pertinent records for site
 Conduct administrative duties – check with
coordinator
Resources- Research Materials
All students must
register prior to
participation

State Bar of Wisconsin Books
 Attorneys Desk Reference
 Judicial Benchbooks
 Employment & Workers
Compensation
 Family & Guardian Ad Litem
Handbook
 Wisconsin Nonprofit Handbook
 Statute of Limitations Guidebook
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Wisconsin Statutes
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Wisconsin Civil Procedures Forms
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Wisconsin & Federal Court Rules
Available online to registered users at
www.wisbar.org (click on “Legal
Research.” and then “Books Unbound”)
All law students can access for
free by registering as Law Student
Associates with the State Bar.
 Legal Action of Wisconsin Legal Guides
 Family Law
 Foster Care
 Elder Law
 Social Security & SSI
 Unemployment
 Housing & Landlord Tenant
Resources – Top Ten Lists
Top 10 Resources and Referrals
Powerpoint
Computer desktop
Begin MVLC specific information
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The following slides apply only to the Marquette
Volunteer Legal Clinic program.
LAMP and M-LINC volunteers will now attend
break-out sessions to provide information for their
sites.
Getting Started at the MVLC
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Sign-in and Record date & hours for Pro Bono
Wear a name tag (first name only)
Pair up with an attorney with whom you will be
working (up to 2 students per group) and make
introductions
Gather a new complete “file” for each interview
Go to waiting area for next client. Gather their
intake sheet, introduce yourself, escort the client to an
interview room/table, and introduce attorney.
Do not discuss legal issues unless attorney is present
Interview Process
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Review Intake Sheet
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Explain “Explanation of Clinic Services” document and have client sign the
intake sheet
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Determine if there is an opposing party and conduct conflicts check (at House of
Peace & Hillview)
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Check for frequency – if there are any frequency problems or client is told not
to return NOTE this in the space provided.
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Have attorney review for screening questions
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Take notes
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Follow-up with questions to clarify facts or story
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Assist attorney with research & referral information
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Prepare Recommendations Sheet for client (write legibly)
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Provide Satisfaction Survey to client – include date/volunteer names at top
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Complete intake sheet information – ask Clinic Facilitator to check for
completeness before submitting for data entry.
Explanation of Services –
Important Points to Explain to Client
• The Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic is an information
and referral service staffed by students like myself and
volunteer attorneys
•We will try to answer your question, provide a referral or
suggest a strategy for dealing with your situation
•We are unable to take ongoing cases or represent you
in court
•Our help is limited to our meeting with you today
•All matters we discuss will be kept confidential
Conclusion
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THANK YOU for your willingness to Serve!!!
Do not worry about “knowing enough” on your first
day:
-the MVLC allowed me to feel successful for
the first time in law school. The classroom was
not a place where I was feeling confident, but
I did find that at the clinic! (Thanks!!!)
--MVLC Student Volunteer