By offering a broad variety of carefully structured pro bono projects, the School of Law-Camden provides many opportunities for all students to contribute to the community. At the same time, these programs demonstrate how ethical obligations can be fulfilled and how pro bono service can be part of every legal career. All projects require training, which is provided by the program, prior to participation.
In the Bankruptcy Project, students are teamed with volunteer attorneys to interview clients and prepare bankruptcy petitions. Clients are given a fresh start while students learn from their attorney partners-who in turn are fulfilling their own pro bono obligation. It is run under the auspices of the local federal Bankruptcy Court, which has been generous with its advice and assistance. This project is open to all second- and third-year students.
The Pro Bono Mediation Project-Community Dispute Resolution Committee provides an opportunity for students to become certified mediators, and then put their mediation and conciliation skills to work on cases assigned by both the superior and municipal courts. This program is highly valued by the courts, as many cases are resolved and taken off the court docket, and it demonstrates a successful alternative to litigation. Second semester first-year students, as well as second- and third-year students, may participate in this program.
Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, students provide assistance to low-income Camden residents needing help to fill out their tax returns. For the three months prior to April 15th, students are at a local library two nights a week and at a legal services office in Bridgeton on Saturday mornings to staff this project. All students are eligible for this student run project.
The Domestic Violence Pro Bono Project has two components. One pairs students with attorneys who are providing representation to battered women seeking restraining orders, and the other sends students to Camden County Superior Court each week for the purpose of providing information to people seeking protection under the abuse statutes.
The Security Deposit Assistance Project was created in collaboration with Camden Regional Legal Services (CRLS) to help tenants whose security deposits have not been returned to them. This has been identified by CRLS as an important yet unmet need in the community. All second- and third-year students are eligible for this project.
Through the Immigration Project, Rutgers law students have the opportunity to work on political asylum petitions and other cases relating to immigrants under the supervision of attorneys from the Camden Center for Law and Social Justice (CCLSJ). In addition, students will have the opportunity to teach American history and government to citizenship applicants.
The Black Law Student Association LEAP Pro Bono Project is a law related education and mentoring project in the Camden City public schools.
Many other pro bono opportunities are available through the many legal services and public interest programs in the South Jersey and Philadelphia area, including, among others, the Homeless Advocacy Project, the Community Health Law Project, the Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program, and the AIDS Law Project and can be arranged through the director of pro bono programs, Eve Biskind Klothen.
Pro Bono awards are given at graduation to students who have participated for at least three semesters in one of the pro bono projects. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one pro bono project during their time at the law school. At the same time that critical needs in our community are met, legal skills are enhanced and students will discover the satisfaction of providing assistance to people with nowhere else to turn.
