Thanks to a $45,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Colgate University’s Upstate Institute will develop and implement a program that provides free legal services to local low-income residents who are filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
In conjunction with the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc., a not-for-profit law office that provides legal assistance at no cost, the Upstate Institute will start working with new clients in spring 2009 for the Consumer Bankruptcy Law Project.
“Through the Upstate Institute’s partnership with Legal Aid we will be able to expand regional resources, allowing residents who have incurred substantial debt to reorder their finances and obtain a fresh start.” said Ellen Kraly, institute director.
Kraly added, “This is also a win-win situation because Colgate students selected for the program will be able to learn so very much about the law and about life. At the same time, their work will contribute to the mission of the Legal Aid Society.”
The grant money will fund a training conference for 12 to 14 pro bono attorneys and Colgate student interns, the preparation of case files, and bankruptcy filings for 35 to 40 clients during an 18-month period.
Five Colgate students will be selected for the project each semester. By spring 2010, as many as 15 students will be participating. Under the supervision of a project attorney, students will obtain documentation, draft legal forms, and write memorandums for the files. Cases will then be referred to the pro bono attorneys, who will meet with the clients and decide whether to file their cases in court.
Susan Conn ’79, lead attorney on the project, will serve as mentor for student interns. The Consumer Bankruptcy Law Project grows out of a pilot project that began in January 2008. Conn trained Colgate students to assist her with the preparation of actual bankruptcy cases.
“The seven students who worked with me on the pilot project have truly appreciated the opportunity to have hands-on experiences within the legal profession and leave a meaningful impact on our community,” said Conn, who has 22 years experience at Legal Aid.
“The pilot project has proven to be very successful, and we are fortunate to be able to continue the work.”
Priority will be given to low-income residents of Madison, Herkimer, and Oneida counties who are domestic violence survivors and other individuals with insurmountable debt due to a job loss or medical illness. Individuals selected for the project will be prescreened by Legal Aid for financial eligibility and will need to meet additional criteria.