RHODE ISLAND S NONPROFIT PUBLIC INTEREST LAW CENTER

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Gyles Barrett
3 years ago
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How did I feel about the development of the Center for Justice?
What is the main focus of the Center for Justice?
What is the current limit to access to legal services for those who do not have it?

1 RHODE ISLAND S NONPROFIT PUBLIC INTEREST LAW CENTER

2 As Rhode Island s Attorney General and U.S. Attorney, I ve seen firsthand the importance of legal representation in our civil justice system. The Rhode Island Center for Justice will help make legal representation available for Rhode Islanders who can t afford it, and I thank them for their commitment to this important cause. SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE UNITED STATES CONGRESS Providing quality legal representation to people who need it the most and can afford it the least is one of the greatest challenges to our profession, particularly in these difficult economic times. The RI Center for Justice is a major step forward in meeting this critical challenge. The US District Court looks forward to working with the Center and the law school to develop innovative strategies to meet the need for quality pro bono and reduced cost legal services in our community. CHIEF JUDGE WILLIAM E. SMITH UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF RHODE ISLAND I was delighted to learn about the development of the Center for Justice. Roger Williams University School of Law has a long history in public interest law. We therefore look forward to the opportunity to work with the Center for Justice to expand access to legal services for those whose economic circumstances currently limit access. DONALD FARISH PRESIDENT, ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY

3 WHAT THE LAW CAN DO Provide Economic Security to Families THE LAW Because the law is a powerful tool that can make the difference between food and hunger, housing and homelessness, economic security and hardship We are building a network in Rhode Island of public-interest lawyers, experienced mentoring attorneys and sustainable community-based law practices. ECONOMIC SECURITY Because 80% of low income families in Rhode Island fall outside existing legal services and have no access to lawyers in a civil case, even when they are losing their homes, wages are stolen, benefits are cut We are building capacity to activate the legal safety net that will safeguard the livelihood of low income families now, and in the future. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES Because community non-profits help people every day but cannot find lawyers to protect the rights and economic well-being of their constituents We are building partnerships with community groups to make legal protection available where and how it is needed.

4 THE MODEL Rhode Island s Center for Justice IN THE LAW CENTER CLIENTS Receiving Legal Advice and Representation Families Individuals Community Groups Non-Profits AREAS OF PRACTICE Housing Immigration Workers Rights LAWYERS Law Fellows Recent law school graduates supervised by experienced attorneys Experienced Attorneys Supervising attorney employed by the Center Mentoring attorneys from the Rhode Island Legal Community Pro Bono Collaborative (PBC) attorneys working with law fellows and law students to increase the impact of work being done by the PBC and the Center for Justice Law Students RWU law students supporting the work of the PBC and the Center for Justice IN THE COMMUNITY Education and Training Lectures and workshops by members of the bench, the bar and social justice advocates for Fellows and other new lawyers Coordinated pro bono attorney trainings Developing skills in trial advocacy Working with: Rhode Island Supreme Court Rhode Island Superior Court U.S. District Court Pro Bono Collaborative Access to Justice efforts Community advocates

5 CENTER FOR JUSTICE At the Forefront of the National Movement AN INNOVATIVE MODEL An innovative model that draws from law centers around the country, and builds on their experience by: Building partnerships with community groups Developing an engaging educational program for new attorneys to build skills in public interest law Focusing on areas of practice where there are gaps in the existing landscape THE TIME TO ACT Lawyers in Rhode Island: Preserving the Tradition of Public Interest Law Long-time members of the Bar have seen legal representation give hope to the disempowered and breathe life into our democratic principles. Yet justice for many will die on the vine without support. Many of our young colleagues come to the law with an impulse to contribute to the public good. It is up to us in the established legal community in Rhode Island to insure the next generation of advocates is prepared to safeguard and advance a just society. Perhaps the greatest challenge facing today s judicial system is to provide access to meaningful legal services for all our citizens. The problem is especially acute for persons of low or modest means. In these times of dwindling resources, we must be ever vigilant to assure that equal justice under the law is a reality rather than merely a platitude. The Rhode Island Center for Justice promises to be a valuable tool in our efforts to meet the legal needs of low-income families in the civil arena. Public service has always been an essential component of the legal profession; the Center for Justice provides a model that will facilitate the ability to help fellow citizens in the best tradition of public interest law. CHIEF JUSTICE PAUL A. SUTTELL RHODE ISLAND SUPREME COURT

6 CenterforJustice.org 150 Washington Street Providence, RI

LEGAL SERVICES OF GREATER MIAMI, INC. (LSGMI) 2014 PAI PLAN Applicant Number 610040

LEGAL SERVICES OF GREATER MIAMI, INC. (LSGMI) 2014 PAI PLAN Applicant Number 610040 1. Priority Legal Needs of Eligible Clients Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. conducted a legal needs assessment

RHODE ISLAND S NONPROFIT PUBLIC INTEREST LAW CENTER

How did I feel about the development of the Center for Justice?

What is the main focus of the Center for Justice?

What is the current limit to access to legal services for those who do not have it?