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March 25 - 31, 2007 |
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John Marshall Fair Housing Clinic Assists Residents With Legal Issues |
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"April is Fair Housing Month. It's a good time to remember fair housing is not an option, it's the law. Despite us celebrating the 39th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, we continue to hear from people who are discriminated against," said Professor Michael Seng, executive director of the Fair Housing Legal Clinic at The John Marshall Law School.
In 2006, the clinic assisted 133 clients who were discriminated against in their housing choices. The clinic's cases included a religious discrimination case against a Jewish family prevented from displaying a Mezuzah on their condo unit door; a family with an autistic child being sued by neighbors claiming that a fence to protect the child violated a covenant running with the land; and a mobile home park that would not allow an African-American family access to live in the park.
In addition to its regular caseload, The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Support Center and Clinic is currently conducting a 12-month study of housing discrimination patterns against senior citizens, especially those residing in independent living, as well as in assisted living facilities and continuing care retirement communities. This project is funded in part by a grant from the Retirement Research Foundation in Chicago.
The John Marshall Law School is one of the few law schools in the nation that has a clinical program devoted exclusively to training students in fair housing law and enforcement.
"We have a staff of clinical professors who supervise our students. Together they listen to the person and determine how best to assist them. In many cases, the clinic will develop a case and represent the client in court," Seng explained.
The Fair Housing Legal Clinic represents persons who have been denied housing in violation of federal, state and local fair housing laws. These laws prohibit housing providers from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (families with children under 18), mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, marital status or source of income (including recipients of Section 8 vouchers).
Under the guidance of a practicing attorney, the law students, as clinical interns, participate in federal and state court litigation and administrative proceedings; learn how cases are tested, investigated and prepared; draft pleadings and prepare motions; participate fully in settlement matters; conduct discovery; and assist in trials and hearings.
The clinic represents clients in proceedings before the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the State of Illinois Human Rights Department, the City of Chicago Human Rights Commission and the Cook County Human Rights Commission, as well as in the federal and state courts.
The clinic is funded in part by a grant from HUD.
Persons who believe they may have been discriminated against in their housing choice can call the clinic at 312.786.2267 or send e-mails to 6clinic@jmls.edu for additional information on how to file for legal action.
Additional information regarding The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic is available at www.jmls.edu.
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John Marshall Moot Court Teams Excel in Spring Competitions |
The team of Reed Heiligman (left) and Kathy Wantuch were named semifinalists in the Annual Chief Judge Conrad B. Duberstein National Bankruptcy Memorial Moot Court Competition. They were coached by John Hiltz (J.D. '06) and Adjunct Professor Mary Barry (not pictured). 
The team of Eugene Goryunov (left) and Tara Stuart (center) were named quarterfinalists in the Annual Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Moot Court Competition. They were coached by Professor David Schwartz (right). 
Team members (from left) Peter Lynch, Lindsey Beukema and Bradley Bertkau won Second Place Brief at the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association Moot Court Competition. They were coached by Professor Joanne Hodge (right) and Lurene Contento, director of the Writing Resource Center (not pictured).
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Faculty Activities and Publications |
Professor John D. Ingram
Publications 
His article, "Date Rape: It's Time for `No' to Really Mean `No'" was cited recently in 28 Cardozo L. Rev. 391.
Professor Michael Polelle
Publications 
His article, "Accountant's Privity Shield: An Illinois Mistake," 38 DePaul L.Rev. 685 (1989), was cited and discussed by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals In PWC Tricontinental Industries v. Pricewaterhouse Coopers, 2007 WL 102985 (7th Cir. Jan.17, 2007). The case involved the liability of accountants to non-clients for negligently provided professional services under the Illinois Public Accounting Act.
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Student Activities |
March 27
The Criminal Law Society will meet at 12:30 in room 403. Speakers will be present to discuss collecting evidence from a crime scene. Refreshments will be served.
March 28
The Polish Law Society will meet at noon in room 409.
The Honorable Anne M. Burke and the Honorable Mary Ann G. McMorrow (retired) from the Illinois Supreme Court will address the Women's Law Caucus at noon in room 3east. Only those who have contacted Miss Criss will be admitted, as seating is limited.
March 29
The East-West Title Company will discuss the process of a real estate closing at the Justinian meeting at noon in room 216. Refreshments will be served.
Student Bar Association "Date Auction."
The Latino Law Student Association will meet at 5 p.m. in room 1102.
The Student Bar Association meeting will be held at 5:00 in room 216.
March 30
The Criminal Law Society will feature speakers, Judge Thomas Condon, Judge Mark Salone and Cathy Hareas at 12:15 in room 403. The panel will speak about advice for criminal trial evidence. Refreshments will be served.
March 31
The Black Law Students Association will meet at 11 a.m. in room 1105.
Brehon Society Charity Run.
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Schedule of Events |
March 23
- Faculty Works-In-Progress by Professor Tim O'Neill, Room 1101, 12:15 p.m.
- 1L Mock Trial Competition, Room 1200, 5 p.m.
March 24
- PMBR, Rooms 1200 and 200, 9:30 a.m.
- BLSA Meeting, Room 1105, 11 a.m.
- Insights I Program, Room 503, 1 p.m.
- Insights II, Room 503, 2:30 p.m.
March 25
- PMBR, Rooms 1200 and 200, 9:30 a.m.
- March 26
- Faculty Assembly, Room 503, 12:15 p.m.
March 27
- "Do Taxpayers Have a Right to Efficient Government?", Room 1200, 11 a.m.
- Insights I Program, Room 503, noon
March 28
- Career Services Office - Judicial Clerkship Info Session Part II: How to Apply for a Judicial Clerkship, Room 300, 12:30 p.m.
March 29
- National Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition, Room 3East and Courtroom, 8 a.m.
- Homeland Security Seminar, Room 200, noon
- Insights II, Room 530, noon
- Faculty Works-In-Progress by Professor Diane Kaplan, Room 1101, 12:15 p.m.
March 30
- National Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition, Room 3East and Courtroom, 8 a.m.
- Admitted Students Reception, Room 200 and Student Lounge, 4 p.m.
March 31
- National Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition, Room 3East and Courtroom, 8 a.m.
- PMBR, Rooms 1200 and 200, 9:30 a.m.
- BLSA Meeting, Room 1105, 11 a.m.
- Insights I Program, Room 503, 1 p.m.
- Insights II, Room 503, 2:30 p.m.
April 1
- PMBR, Rooms 1200 and 200, 9:30 a.m.
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Editor's Note
In the Loop is published by The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Copyright 2007
Editor: Assistant Dean John M. McNamara; Contributors: Marilyn Thomas, Director, Public Relations and Advertising; Andrea Koklys, Assistant Director, Public Relations and Advertising
All information to be included in In the Loop must be placed in the INTHELOOP folder on the H drive of the law school's computer network by 12 p.m. each Wednesday. When the volume of submissions exceeds the available space in the printed version of In the Loop, additonal material will appear only in the online version of the Newsletter, which can be found on the law school's website at www.jmls.edu. 
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