Forty USC Law students are putting their jobs and studies aside this spring break and heading to hurricane-ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi.
Many of the soon-to-be lawyers will offer legal advice to Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Others will help rebuild homes, dispense food and clothes, and assist at shelters. A smaller group will be heading to Gulfport, Miss., to work with the Mississippi Justice Center in various legal projects.
Both groups will help residents with legal issues that have cropped up in the past six months. They'll be working alongside attorneys from social service and government agencies to help with workers' rights, housing, FEMA issues and even criminal cases.
“We’re going to help wherever we’re needed,” said 3L Luke Sisak (pictured with 1L Andrew Coffin), one of the organizers of the trip. “Our biggest challenge right now is raising funds to help with the trip’s cost.”
Organizers are estimating that each student will have to pay about $800 for food, lodging and air. They are currently holding fundraising events and reaching out to alumni for potential donations.
This is the first venture under USC Law’s Office of Public Service, which was recently launched and oversees all external service learning and community service programs, public interest placements, pro bono and community service efforts at the law school.
“I am thrilled that we have so many students interested in this service effort,” said Lisa Mead, who heads the new office. “It really says a lot that they are willing to leave their jobs and use their study and vacation time to volunteer for such a worthwhile project.”
Organizers initially thought about five or 10 students would be interested in volunteering, especially since students are required to pay for their own plane and hotel expenses.
“We were shocked — about 50 students showed up at our first informational meeting,” said 1L Andrew Coffin, who is helping to organize the trip. “Forty have bought plane tickets and are planning to make the trip. I think a lot of the students are anxious to apply the legal skills they’ve been taught to real-life experiences.”
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