Students Help A Growing Need Of Free Legal Advice - KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News

Students Help A Growing Need Of Free Legal Advice

3-28-10

PASO ROBLES - 

Students studying law brought justice to San Luis Obispo County.

For the first time Justice Bus made a stop in Paso Robles. It's a statewide, nonprofit, legal-services program that gives away advice to a growing number of people struggling with debt and facing foreclosure.

A team of attorneys and students from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles were on hand to offer advice for free.

"These students are wonderful, they've given up their Spring Break to come 200 miles to work with low-income people," said Michael Blank, Directing Attorney with California Rural Legal Assistance, which offers free legal services.

On Saturday they helped clients with debt, and then Sunday they dealt with housing law, issues involving landlord-tenant, and foreclosures.

"Unfortunately, housing is a big issue," said Blank. "People are either getting evicted because they lost their jobs, getting foreclosed on because they've lost their jobs, or their landlord is getting foreclosed on, so what does that mean? It's really scary stuff."

The volunteer students are able to help walk clients through the legal process, and in the meantime, get real-life experience in social-justice work.

"It was just good to learn a whole new legal area," said Cynthia Luna, a student at Southwestern Law School. "A crash course pretty much."

Students have to apply to be part of Justice Bus, because there are only 12 spots available.

The volunteers helped dozens of people on the Central Coast on their two-day stop.

Justice Bus is coordinated by Public Interest Clearinghouse and makes stops throughout California.