USD Magazine, Summer 1997

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S chool of Law student Krista Percival has exhaustively studied domestic violence issues. She can recite the statutes and coµrt procedures, explain the cycles of violence that domestic abuse entails and understand the plight of those involved. Although she is not yet an attor– ney, Percival found she didn't have to pass the bar exam, or even finish law school, to start using her knowledge to make a differ– ence in the community. Percival joined Pro Bono Legal Advo– cates, a student-run organization that recruits, trains and organizes USD law students to serve the community. She now spends much of her free time at San Diego's Family Law Clinic, where victims of domestic violence obtain temporary restraining orders against their abusers, an important first step in ending domestic violence. For law students, the work is an important first step as well. "Volunteering for the Domestic Violence and Restraining Order Clinic is the first opportunity many students have to do something competent within the law," says Percival. "Even more important, we feel we can help people." Helping people is the primary mission of Pro Bono Legal Advocates, which was formed five years ago to organize the many law students who wanted to work in the community. The group, which boasts more than 150 members, works with local orga– nizations such as the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program and the San Diego Media– tion Center to channel students into areas where legal resources are limited and vol– unteers are needed. "It's a chance for law students to get out in the world, interact with people and see the law do some immediate good," says Steve Sandoval, this year's vice chair of the group. "We try to balance the interests of the students with community needs." Pro Bono Legal Advocates strikes that balance by offering a myriad of volunteer opportunities. A juvenile probation program pairs students with probation officers, who often need help tracking and managing cases, while a juvenile guardianship effort helps indigent clients obtain custody of abused or neglected children. The mediation program offers students formal training and experience in dispute resolution. Opportunities out-

side the legal arena include AIDS patient home visits, mentoring in local high schools, meal delivery to homebound peo– ple, beach clean-ups and other community programs. "The nonlegal programs are just as important," Sandoval says. "Volunteers in law-related areas get experience and training, but everyone needs to do something they can feel good about." One student feeling good this semester is Diane Willis, who helped launch the new Pro Bono Civil Rights Program. Students in the program are trained to investigate and evaluate cases in which arrestees claim their civil rights have been violated. They interview clients to get the facts, research the law and refer cases to attorneys. As with

the domestic violence program, the USD civil rights volunteers are the only students in San Diego performing this valuable ser– vice. As Pro Bono Legal Advocates has grown, so has the number of programs the group offers. The civil rights clinic was created in response to demand from students for experience in the field. While students recognize the practical benefits of volun– teering, however, they often seem more attached to the intangibles. "I feel like I'm learning about legal issues and doing the kind of work I'll do as an attorney," says Willis. "But I got involved because I have strong feelings about civil rights and it feels good to participate in something that echoes my beliefs." LESSON input early in the process is essential for the City Council to conduct business. "When the community got engaged, things happened," O'Connor said, referring to the stadium expansion flap, which sub– sided when a private company came forward and donated $18 million to complete the project. Cushman, clearly disturbed with the delay to the projects caused by legal action taken by community activists, got a rise from the audience when he called those citizens "obstructionists." He went on to say, however, "What we have to do is get the people who have problems with the issue to speak out early." Moderated by Beth Dobkin, associate professor of communication studies, the 45-minute discussion was well-received by 192 Corporate Associates members, retirees and media who filled the main dining hall in Hahn University Center. The luncheons and discussions are held twice a year and are geared toward the business community. For more information about the Corporate Associates program, call Coreen Petti, director of corporate relations, at (619) 260-4690, or send e-mail to cpetti@acusd.edu.

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