Law & Inequality Project Clearinghouse

Medical-Legal Project: Through partnership with ChesPenn Health Services, participants will conduct “legal needs” surveys of patients at the ChesPenn Health Centers in Chester or Coatesville. Participants will visit the Health Centers–likely in teams of two or three–and assist patients in completing surveys designed to measure the scope and character of unmet legal needs, needs that may have direct relationship to patient health.
Training: March 17 (or via videotape).
Field Work: Weeks of March 29, April 5, or April 12 (at student discretion).
Pro Bono Credits: 2 hours training; 2-5 hours field work; 1 hour post-project survey.
Field Supervisors: Adjunct Prof. Dan Atkins.

Mock Trial Project: Through partnership with the Delaware Law Related Education Center, participants will judge a Mock Trial as part of the Delaware State High School Mock Trial Competition. Trials–and training for the judges–will take place at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington on Friday February 26 and Saturday February 27.
Training: February 26 or February 27.
Field Work: February 26 or February 27.
Pro Bono Credits: 2 hours training; 2 hours field work (per trial); 1 hour post-project survey.
Field Supervisor: Pat Quann, Director, Delaware Law Related Education Center.

Teaching Project: Through partnership with the Delaware Law Related Education Center, participants will teach part of a curriculum on “Desegregation in Delaware” in Delaware high school classes. Participants will visit the classrooms–likely in teams of two–to present a pre-prepared ninety minute lesson on Parker v. University of Delaware, the 1950 case ordering the desegregation of the University of Delaware.
Training: March 10 (or via videotape).
Field Work: Weeks of March 15, March 22, and March 29.
Pro Bono Credits: 2 hours training; 2-5 hours field work; 1 hour post-project survey.
Field Supervisor: Pat Quann, Director, Delaware Law Related Education Center.

For more information on the Law-Related Service Projects, contact Dr. Sydney Howe-Barksdale at pirc@mail.widener.edu or Professor Bob Hayman at rlhayman@widener.edu.

2008 Martin Luther King Jr. Semester of Service

Law-Related Service Projects

ADA Compliance Project: Through partnership with the Delaware Disabilities Law Program, participants will survey polling places during Delawareís February 5 presidential primary to assess compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Participants will complete a ìPolling Place Accessibility Checklistî for each polling site visited; accessibility issues will be reported to the Board of Elections to ensure redress prior to the November general election.

• Training: February 4 (or via videotape).
• Field Work: February 5.
• Pro Bono Credits: 2 hours training; 2-5 hours field work; 1 hour post-project survey.

Medical-Legal Project: Through partnership with Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. of Delaware, participants will conduct ìlegal needsî surveys of patients at Christiana and Wilmington Hospitals as part of the initial stages of a medical-legal partnership between Christiana Care and Community Legal Aid. Participants will visit the hospitalsñlikely in teams of twoñand conduct structured interviews of patients in the OB clinics to determine the scope and character of unmet legal needs among obstetric and pediatric patients, needs that may have direct relationship to patient health.

• Training: February 26 (or via videotape).
• Field Work: Weeks of March 10 or 24.
• Pro Bono Credits: 2 hours training; 2-5 hours field work; 1 hour post-project survey.

Teaching Project: Through partnership with the Delaware Law Related Education Center, participants will teach part of a curriculum on ìDesegregation in Delawareî in Delaware high school classes. Participants will visit the classroomsñlikely in teams of twoñto present a pre-prepared ninety minute lesson on Parker v. University of Delaware, the 1950 case ordering the desegregation of the University of Delaware.

• Training: March 18 (or via videotape).
• Field Work: Weeks of March 31 or April 7.
• Pro Bono Credits: 2 hours training; 2-5 hours field work; 1 hour post-project survey.

For Additional Information

Informational session on 1/29 at 12 p.m. in L119. Scheduled guests include Dan Atkins of the Delaware Disabilities Law Program, and MaryBeth Musumeci of Community Legal Aid. Attend if you can, but attendance is not required for participation.
MLK SOS Pamphlets describe the projects and have a sign-up sheet for you to return to PIRC. Pamphlets are available in the PIRC offices (L206/207) and at information tables in the atrium. Information is also available on the PIRC blog and LAIP website. Email Sarah Whatley at pirc@mail.widener.edu or any of the LAIP faculty if you have any questions.

2008 Martin Luther King Jr. Semester of Service

The Public Interest Resource Center (PIRC) and the
Law and Inequality Project (LAIP) invite the Law School Community to
participate in the Second Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Semester of
Service.

In pursuit of the ideals of equality and social
justice, the law school community is invited to join forces in a
comprehensive semester of service. Perform both hands-on labor
and pro bono legal services for those in need.

12 weeks/12 hours

You are asked to perform at least twelve (12) hours
of combined service before the end of the semester. Successful
participants will be designated ìMLK Service Fellowsî and recognized at
the Student Awards Ceremony. Students will also earn credit towards pro
bono distinction.

To become an MLK Service Fellow, perform at least
5-8 hours of law-related service and 5-8 hours of charitable labor for
a combined total of at least 12 hours in 12 weeks (1/29/08 ñ 4/11/08).

Opportunities include:

• Law Related Service ñ Teaching law to area high
  school students, or assisting with a legal needs survey of area
  hospital patients, or conducting an ADA compliance check at local
  polling places.
• Charitable Labor – Working for Habitat for Humanity
  or giving a much needed facelift to a shelter for survivors of domestic
  violence.

For Additional Information

Informational session on 1/29 at 12 p.m. in
L119. Attend if you can, but attendance is not required for
participation. MLK SOS Pamphlets describe the projects and have a
sign-up sheet for you to return to PIRC. Pamphlets are
available in the PIRC offices (L206/207) and at information tables in
the atrium. Information is also available on the PIRC blog and
LAIP website. Email Sarah Whatley at pirc@mail.widener.edu if you have
any questions.