legal aid

I spent the past couple of weeks observing life at the Union Rescue Mission's legal aid clinic run by a Pepperdine law professor and her students. In my journey toward law school I wanted to see how people are using law in practical ways to help the marginalized.

Observations that encouraged me:

1. Poverty lawyers seemed a little like counselors hearing people's stories, interpreting what is unsaid and then offering practical help to change the explicitly external circumstances, which inevitably have internal consequences.

2. Being heard and having the justice of their cause affirmed really seemed to be a source of hope for the down and out.

3. Finding the legal aspect of the solution to people's problems involves strategic thinking that recognizes patterns and anticipates responses.

Observations that discouraged me:

1. There was a lot of paperwork- making me wonder how much lawyers are just really smart secretaries that know how to fill out the appropriate forms.

2. The legal terminology is just as elitist as philosophical terminology!

3. A decision to turn one's life around legally is often an uphill, hot in the sun battle for many people.

Overall I walked away with a deep respect for the directing attorney- Brittany Stringfellow- otey. Working to make sure that the client's legal concerns are addressed, and yet holding hands and praying, followed by a call to the local food bank to make sure practical needs were met- she is the real deal!