The University of Georgia School of Law participated in a pop-up legal clinic during October in Troup County that offered free civil legal advice and referrals to residents.
Public Interest Practicum Director Elizabeth M. Grant, Wilson Family Justice Clinic Director Christine M. Scartz and Veterans Legal Clinic Director Alexander W. “Alex” Scherr participated in the event, providing consultation in numerous areas of the law. Second-year students John A. Omotunde and Thomas P. Crabb also participated in the event, giving advice to some participants and shadowing attorneys during the three-hour event.
“We were excited to participate in the Troup County pop-up legal clinic,” Associate Dean for Clinical Programs and Experiential Learning Jason A. Cade said. “With funding from the Callaway Foundation, the School of Law is able to expand its reach and impact beyond the Athens area to legally underserved parts of Georgia. In addition to providing needed legal advice and referrals, the clinic provided valuable hands-on experience for our law students who will become tomorrow’s attorneys and legal leaders.”
More than 20 people received free civil legal advice from lawyer volunteers during the clinic. In addition to School of Law faculty, volunteers included Troup County private lawyers and Georgia Legal Services Program attorneys. They all provided advice on a variety of legal subjects including legitimation, custody, property rights, social security benefits and arrest record restriction.
The event was co-hosted by the School of Law, Troup County courts and the GLSP’s Columbus regional office.
Grant said the clinic was modeled off the Athens Access to Justice Legal Pop-up Clinics, a collaboration between the local courts, private bar, GLSP and the School of Law since 2017.
The event also included information tables for Troup County’s four treatment courts, the School of Law’s 18 clinics and the GLSP.
Pictured above are: (l. to r.) Alex Scherr, Elizabeth Grant, John Omotunde, Thomas Crabb and Christine Scartz at the Troup County pop-up legal clinic.
Written by Mason A. Brock