Spring break isn't usually known for cold weather, full-time work, and traveling to rural Upstate New York, but for five law students from UC Hastings School of Law in San Francisco, CA, it was an opportunity to give back. During the first week of March, one of the coldest times of the year in Upstate New York, law students traveled from sunny California to cold New York State to provide services to low-income legal services clients and to learn about rural law practice.
The students were hosted by LawNY's Bath and Olean offices, and they observed virtual and in-person court appearances, participated in client meetings, completed legal research, and talked with our attorneys about public interest work. This unique alternative spring break exposed students to the people and stories behind the work that we do, our driving force-- our clients. Their understanding of the lack of resources and access to legal representation is amplified when students can hear and see first-hand the difference that receiving legal services can make in clients' lives.
We look forward to continuing this partnership in the future, and we thank UC Hastings for working with LawNY to make it all possible. We also want to send a huge thanks to our staff in Olean and Bath for hosting these students!
