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PALS Program at University of Memphis’s Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Observes October: Pro-Bono Month By Rebecca E. Neely During the month of October, for maintaining pro bono work, students at the University of Memphis’s Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law will join legal professionals across the country.
Different legal service projects have been coordinated by the school’s Public Action Law Society (PALS), in which students will participate. These include a board discussion with legal service groups, and a Volunteer Fair at the law school. During the fair, students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from non-profit organizations and public service agencies. According to the October 6th wmctv.com article, “Law students perform community pro bono work”, Dorcas Young, with the Shelby County Division of Community Services was quoted as saying: “I can’t overstate how much law students are a useful, untapped resource in our efforts to do the best work possible for Shelby County citizens.” In September, PALS participated in managing a legal institute at the city of Memphis’s first annual Project Homeless Connect, a one day event providing a category of social services for over 40 percent of the population, homeless in the city. As a result of this, students were able to match almost 100 clients with Shelby County Public Defender’s Office attorneys from the, Memphis Area Legal Services, along with the Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, LLC. Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. was quoted as saying: “Sitting down with a homeless individual who is in great need, but lacking even basic resources, and helping that individual navigate our legal system is an extraordinary gesture of compassion and service by these law students. The University of Memphis and our entire community should be very proud of these young leaders and how they have used their skills in service of their fellow citizens.”
a Shelby County General Sessions Court clinic, and one at the Benjamin L. Hooks Public Library. PALS will also partner Shelby County Juvenile Court to provide assistants and jury auditors at the new “Youth Court” peer justice hearings for juvenile respondents. In addition, PALS plans partnering with the Association of Women Attorneys for supporting its annual Dress for Success Clothing Drive. Also, in 2012 PALS will conduct its second annual Alternative Spring Break Program, which brings law students from around the country in sync. Over the course of a week, they take part in public interest advocacy and community service projects. Anna Benson, third-year law student and PALS vice president was quoted as saying: “We’re hoping to capitalize on the momentum from last year’s program. We served more than 100 clients in one week in 2011, and next year we hope to provide even more people with equal access to justice.” The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is an American Bar Association accredited law school and is the only law school in the city of Memphis. The Public Action Law Society (PALS) at the University of Memphis is a student-led organization seeking to encourage volunteerism, community service, and a pattern of activities that will inspire participants to continue in pro bono work after becoming attorneys, according to information at the law school’s website. Volunteers are matched with community service organizations based on their interests and abilities.
Other projects in which PALS is involved include working with the Memphis Area Legal Services to coordinate volunteers for
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