FAIR HOUSING LEGAL CLINIC
As part of its Fair Housing Legal Support Center, the law school operates the Fair Housing Legal Clinic, where students represent clients in the Chicago metropolitan area who have been denied housing because of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, marital status, age, source of income or sexual orientation.
PRESS RELEASE 02/05/2009: Lake County Housing Authority Stopped from Cutting Off Housing Assistance to Elderly Sisters
|
Co-Executive Director
|
Co-Executive Director
|
History of the Fair Housing Legal Clinic
The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic was established in 1993 by co-founders Professors F. Wills Caruso and Michael P. Seng, and is one of the few law school clinics in the US devoted exclusively to fair housing training and enforcement. Corinne Morissey served as its first Clinical Director. The Clinic serves clients in the Chicago metropolitan area who have been illegally denied housing because of discrimination under federal, state, and local fair housing laws and ordinances. These are individuals who would not otherwise have access to an attorney. The Clinic is also engaged in community outreach activities to inform consumers about fair housing laws and the work of the Clinic.
Counseling
Persons in the Chicago metropolitan area who are in need of legal assistance because of a discriminatory housing practice can contact the Clinic by phone (312) 786-2267 or by email.
Our Clinical Students
Fair Housing Clinic Students work under the supervision of our Clinical Professors, who are licensed attorneys and specialists in fair housing law. Second and third-year law students are eligible to gain practical experience and earn credits at the Fair Housing Legal Clinic' brand-new facility. We encourage staff, students, and faculty to visit our new facilities and learn more about he fair Housing Legal clinic at John Marshall. For more information, please contact Allison K. Bethel at 7bethel@jmls.edu.
Internships
Students participating in John Marshall's Fair Housing Legal Clinic begin by taking a two-hour seminar on fair housing law and practice taught by F. Willis Caruso, one of the leading authorities in fair housing law in the United States. Thereafter, students may work in the Fair Housing Clinic and receive additional academic credit. In addition to learning the substance of fair housing law, the Clinic offers students an opportunity to participate in federal court litigation and sometimes in state and administrative proceedings. Students learn how cases are investigated and prepared. They may have the opportunity to help draft pleadings, prepare motions and hearings for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, conduct discovery, and assist in trials and hearings or possible appeals.
Intern Requirements:
1. Interns are required to work on fair housing matters for four hours for each hour they sign up; a two hour credit would equal to eight hours of work per week.
2. The intern must attend the orientation meeting on the first Monday of the new semester from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. and weekly meetings on each Monday from 12 - 1:30 p.m.
3. If the intern has a chance to argue a case in court or take a deposition, time away from intern's employment may be necessary.
Fair Housing Clinic Celebrates 15 Years and Move to New Office
In celebration of the Fair Housing Clinic's 15th Anniversary, over fifty JMLS staff, faculty, and members of local housing organizations joined together for an open house celebration on October 2nd at the new offices located at 55 East Jackson. Professor Seng presented a special award to Professor Caruso for his longstanding service to the Clinic. Professor Caruso retired this year as Clinical Director and introduced new Director Allison K. Bethel. In sharing her vision for the future of the Clinic, Ms. Bethel highlighted the use of technology to improve the manner in which cases are manages, addressing policy through collaboration with our partner organizations, and identifying sources of funding and support for the future. Ms. Bethel stated, "Our work has never been more important than it is today with millions of Americans losing their homes daily."
15th Anniversary Open House- October 2008
Professor F. Willis Caruso (center) was presented with a plaque honoring his 15 years with the Fair Housing Legal Clinic. He retired as director of the clinic in May 2008. Joining him are Professor Allison Bethel (left) who succeeded Caruso as clinic director, and Professor Michael Seng (right), founder of the clinic.
Fair Housing Legal Clinic Staff, Students and Alumni at the 15th Anniversary Clinic Open House
|
