UM Law’s Legal Corps program was named a Merit Finalist in the 2013 Community Partnership Awards competition.
The University of Miami School of Law launched Miami Law Legal Corps in 2010 to address the significant problem that low-income individuals have obtaining legal representation or otherwise accessing the civil court system to protect their essential needs. This postgraduate fellowship program places newly certified Miami School of Law graduates – called Legal Corps Fellows – in understaffed and underfunded public interest organizations, government agencies and judicial chambers throughout the nation.
The program also provides recent law graduates facing a challenging job market with valuable training, experience and an opportunity to serve. Fellows are given full-time employment for up to six months and a monthly stipend.
“Our model has been extremely successful,” explained Patricia White, Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law. “To date, 200 Legal Corps Fellows have provided tens of thousands of hours of legal assistance and more than 90% of these Fellows have found permanent employment.”
What’s the award about?
The Mutual of America Community Partnership Award annually honors the outstanding contributions that 10 nonprofit organizations, in partnership with public, private and other social sector organizations, make to society. Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 180 partnerships from cities and towns all across America. To learn more about the Community Partnership Award, visit mutualofamerica.com/cpa.
“All of the 2013 honorees are leaders in society, creating innovative and effective solutions to help those in need,” said Thomas J. Moran, Chairman, President and CEO, Mutual of America. “Through the Community Partnership Award, Mutual of America is proud to recognize, support and help extend the reach of these vital partnerships.”
Previously:
- Data Show Legal Corps is Helping Students (Now Please Help the Legal Corps by Voting For It in the Classy Awards) (July 24, 2012)
- More on the Legal Corps (Oct. 25, 2010)
- Meet the UM Law Legal Corps Fellowship Program (Oct. 14, 2010)
Congratulations, keep the flag flying. UM Law rocks.