During the spring semester, the Family Justice Clinic provided nearly 2,100 hours of service to approximately 100 callers seeking assistance. The clinic, which is staffed by law students, provides low-income members of the Athens community with courtroom representation in family violence and stalking protective order cases. The students also provide advice and counsel to victims of abuse who are considering their legal options as they move towards safety and security for themselves and their children. “While the clinic’s work is challenging in many ways, the students work closely together to give creative, high-quality responses to persons who would otherwise not have access to legal services,” Family Justice Clinic Director Christine M. Scartz said.

The University of Georgia School of Law has hired Amanda J. Shaw as its inaugural first-start coordinator, a position designed to assist students who are the first in their families to attend college as they navigate law school. In this role, Shaw will serve as the designated point of contact for this group through all stages of their law school experience, supporting them from their recruitment to post-graduation. She will also develop programming tailored for these students.