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One Clinician’s Path: Reshaping a Venerable Clinic to Broaden Students’ Experiences and Address a Community Crisis

One Clinician’s Path: Reshaping a Venerable Clinic to Broaden Students’ Experiences and Address a Community Crisis. Sarah J. Orr, Assistant Clinical Professor Director, Consumer Law Clinic. It’s not all about me… .

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One Clinician’s Path: Reshaping a Venerable Clinic to Broaden Students’ Experiences and Address a Community Crisis

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  1. One Clinician’s Path: Reshaping a Venerable Clinic to Broaden Students’ Experiences and Address a Community Crisis Sarah J. Orr, Assistant Clinical Professor Director, Consumer Law Clinic

  2. It’s not all about me…

  3. The Consumer Law (Litigation)ClinicHistory ReputationAreas and types of practice Student experience

  4. -Strong voice for Wisconsin consumersfor 21 years-Impact litigation-state and federal courts-Class actions and individual clients-Advocacy-legislative, amicus curiae

  5. Areas of practice-Fraud, misrepresentation, unscrupulous business practices -Consumer credit transactions and predatory lending -Unlawful debt collection practices

  6. Clinic StructureSummer: Full time, school credit, tuition remission, stipendFall/Spring: Part-time and school credit

  7. Reputation among students-Highly competitive selection process-60 – 90 applications per year-6 coveted spots

  8. Litigation-The nature of the beastThe beast can be even worse in consumer protectioncases.-Student experiences could be uneven, depending upon which cases they worked on. -Students involved in all phases of case

  9. Meanwhile…the foreclosure crisis-Judicial foreclosure-Dane County statistics-Community-wide summit Foreclosure Prevention Task Force Spring 2009

  10. Task Force PrioritiesIncrease access to legal assistance for homeowners -Provide basic information -Respond to the lawsuit (20 days)≈Reduce default judgments≈Rec the court process -Prevent losses due to scams

  11. Task Force Priorities Establish local mediation program≈ Give homeowners a voice in a non-threatening venue≈ Enhance homeowners’ chances of receiving a loan modification≈ Or arrange for graceful exit from the property

  12. Reshaping the Clinic-Goals Provide a more consistent experience Increase student contact with clients Involve students in responding to foreclosure crisis in our community Enhance opportunities to gain practical skills

  13. Finding our nicheMediation advocates ? Ethical problemsForeclosure defense ? Resource allocation Similarity to traditional cases  Loan modification advocates ?

  14. Foreclosure Assistance Clinic-Opened July 2010-Free, drop-in legal clinic for homeowners-2 , 2-hour sessions per month-Students and volunteer attorneys meet with homeowners

  15. Foreclosure Assistance Clinic-Limited scope representation-Provide basic information about legal process and how it’s different than mediation or modification-Help client respond to the lawsuit-Provide community and legal referrals

  16. Positive experience for students-Design and responsibilities-Learning about clients-Develop mastery of one subject-Ethics of limited representation-Working with volunteer attorneys-Enhanced skills-Opportunities for reflection

  17. The students learn about clients… -They come from all walks of life.-They are losing the American Dream.-I had no idea things were so bad for them.-People are really alone during a very serious event. -People seemed relieved to have a better understanding of the process, a little bit of control.

  18. -I was surprised how much trust they put in me. -Clients are so grateful for our help.-They like to hug.-After the first day in the FAC, my attitude had changed and I was able to empathize with the homeowners and appreciate the fight that many had in them to get back on top of things. It was often times quite inspiring.

  19. The students build skills…-Learning to listen to people, hear their story and assess your ability to help them-Explaining complex legal topics to everyday people, not in legalese-Dealing with people in an emotional setting

  20. -I got to comb through actual contracts and spot issues.-It increased my ability to communicate and to think of solutions on my feet-It is good practice in learning how to keep the relationship contained to the time and space that you have with people. -I got practice with non-English speaking clients.

  21. The students reflect…-It was terrifying to present myself as someone with legal knowledge.-The first time I was very nervous that I would tell someone the wrong thing and destroy their life.-I was nervous knowing that my words affected their lives and choices.-It was emotionally draining.

  22. -I gained a lot of confidence working with clients. -Seeing statutes applied to real-life situations has been eye-opening.-I enjoy the good energy we get while working with volunteers.-I really cherished getting that perspective on people’s lives that I hadn’t had before.-This real, concrete work in the FAC was different than our regular clients.

  23. -There is a very real sense of satisfaction that is immediate.-The clinic made me think that I would enjoy being an attorney even though I did not like being a law student.-I feel like I am providing a service to the community. -The FAC makes me remember why I went to law school and what I like about being a lawyer.

  24. Positive experience for me-Consistency for students-Observe them in action-Repeated practice-Reflection-Opportunities for further study and expansion -Reminds me why I am a lawyer

  25. Measurable results for clients -Students assemble data195 clients--homeowners in foreclosure153 filed Answer to the lawsuit (78%)Days between filing of lawsuit and judgment of foreclosure:Answered 214No Answer 162

  26. In the clients’ words…-wonderful resource to have available during this financial turmoil-excellent communication -Andy and Russ were both very caring and helped me understand my situation.-Especially helpful was step-by-step assistance in responding to the complaint.-Helps make a hard time a little easier.

  27. Richard

  28. “All I wanted was time, and you gave me that. Thank you.”

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