Giving

South Royalton Legal Clinic Revitalization Project

The South Royalton Legal Clinic is an exceptionally valuable resource for victims of domestic and sexual violence. When we refer people there, we feel confident that not only will they have access to an attorney, but they will be treated respectfully and sensitively. This is priceless.”

Abby Tassel, WISE (Women’s Information Service), Lebanon, N.H.

Training Future Leaders—Providing Services for Those in Need

During the past 30 years, more than 1,900 low-income and unemployed clients have had their essential legal needs served through the South Royalton Legal Clinic by over 700 motivated law students. Annually the clinic provides an estimated $1.5 million in free legal services to Vermonters.

The clinic experience is often transformational for students, whose values and careers can be deeply shaped with strong appreciation for, and deep commitment to, public service. The clinical program also can be transformational for clients, whose rights are protected through the high-quality legal aid they receive.

As the second largest poverty law center in the state, the clinic has become an essential part of resource delivery in Vermont. The SRLC works with many other service providers including Vermont Legal Aid, Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Assault, and Vermont Refugee Assistance. The clinic provides highly regarded and cost-effective support for local courts and attorneys.

For more information about the SRLC, visit us on the Web.

The Need for Improved Facilities

The South Royalton Legal Clinic has been housed for 25 years in Pierce House, an aging residential structure across the street from the VLS campus. The building is overcrowded, suffers from years of heavy use, lacks desirable access and safety features and cannot accommodate the growing numbers of clients and students.

The American Bar Association’s Accreditation Report highlighted the structure’s deficiencies noting insufficient student space and room for client meetings. The ABA has notified VLS that without significantly upgraded clinic space, the law school will no longer be able to operate the clinic. In response to the ABA’s findings and the recommendations of the VLS faculty and administration, the VLS Board of Trustees has voted to move forward with raising money to improve the clinic immediately.

The Project

The VLS Trustees are now diligently weighing two alternatives: the complete renovation of the Pierce House site and the purchase and rehabilitation of another building in South Royalton. A final decision will be made in May. The cost of the proposed renovations at both sites are estimated at approximately $2 million.

Building improvements at either location will provide four staff attorney offices; three meeting rooms, with equipment for digital video recording and transmitting; work stations for 22 student clinicians; a library, reception/waiting, work-study, and legal administrative assistant areas; and improved handicapped.

To meet ABA requirements, we need to raise $1 million dollars by July 1, 2009. The law school already has $800,000 in hand through foundation and trustee support.

Thanks to the generosity of Board of Trustee Chair, Scott Cameron ’80 who has made a lead gift and is joined by Trustee Glenn Berger ’78, we have a match of $30,000 available for all alumni gifts to the clinic.

In this time of economic hardship for everyone, the services the clinic provides are more crucial than ever. Please make a donation of any amount to the South Royalton Legal Clinic to keep it open for students and for the communities it serves.

Donate to the South Royalton Legal Clinic Project

Strengthening the Clinic
Strengthening the Community

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