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Alternative Spring Break 2007

USC Gould School of Law • January 26, 2007
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USC Law students are planning their second visit to the hurricane-plagued Gulf region, where they hope to offer legal help to residents battling to keep their home, collect insurance or be released from jail.

About 25 USC Law students are expected to participate in the alternative spring break in mid-March organized by the new student organization Legal Aid Alternative Breaks (LAAB).

Organizers of this year's alternative spring break 
(from left:) Andrew Coffin, Assoc. Dean Lisa Mead,
Andrew Miller, Malissa Barnwell, Marc Bauer
The LAAB is working closely with the national Student Hurricane Network, which has assisted or placed over 1,700 law students with legal organizations in New Orleans and the Gulf since Hurricane Katrina hit the region 18 months ago.

Like last year, USC Law students will work with practicing attorneys to offer legal aid to the area’s most destitute residents, said Andrew Miller, president of USC’s LAAB and a 2L.

But unlike last year, there will be less legal triage and more substantive work.

 “When we arrived in the Gulf and New Orleans last spring, everything was new and unknown,” Miller said. “This year, we know what to expect and I think we’ll be doing more substantive legal work. Student Hurricane Network has a lot more practicing attorneys who will be helping us.”

The trip is being organized with the help of the USC Law Office of Public Service, which is headed by Associate Dean Lisa Mead.

“I am so excited that students got so much out of last year’s trip that they’re willing to return and offer help. The residents there need their assistance now more than ever,” said Mead, who plans to accompany the students again this year.

New to the program, Mead said, is that faculty, staff and alumni have been invited to accompany the students during spring break from March 11-18. Malissa Barnwell, a student programs advisor at USC Law, has already signed up.

“We have already been contacted by several faculty and staff members who have expressed a desire to make the trip along with the students or to contribute in some other way,” Mead said.

USC Law is one of 25 law schools expected to send a total of 500 students over spring break, said Mike DePetrillo, a member of Student Hurricane Network and a Tulane Law School student.

Even though New Orleans is no longer in the headlines, DePetrillo said interest from law students has mushroomed over the past year.

 “As more and more students travel to the devastated regions and realize the magnitude of the disaster and help that is needed, they return home and actually recruit other students to come down,” said DePetrillo. “The response of the legal community and law students in particular has been tremendous since Hurricane Katrina, with their interest and dedication to continuing to this day.”

USC Law students held their first informational meeting last week, where 30 students expressed an interest in participating in the trip. They are planning three orientation and training sessions for the trip participants.

“The interest in the law school community is still really high,” said Andrew Coffin, 2L and vice president of LAAB,. “We’re hoping to make this a learning experience that we can share with the entire USC community.”

If you are interested in participating in the trip or donating to LAAB's fundraising efforts, you may contact Andrew Miller.

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