Duquesne University has a number of different clinics that offer students the opportunity to practice law under the guidance of licensed lawyers in a realistic environment, while providing the community with full legal representation at no cost to the individual. PittPerks now offers legal services through MetLife as a voluntary service. MetLife Legal Services connects you to a nationwide network of over 17,000 pre-qualified lawyers to choose from whenever you need them for a small fee of $17.00 per month, no matter how often you need their services. The Office of Public Defense provides legal representation (appointed by the court) to low-income defendants in cases filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Public defenders are appointed only in cases where representation is guaranteed by the Constitution, which includes all cases where the personal freedom of the accused is at stake. Eligibility for public advocacy services is based on federal poverty guidelines, as well as income, family financial obligations, and type of expenses. We do not provide legal advice or represent faculty, staff or students in personal legal matters. In certain situations, however, we advise university employees who have been personally appointed in legal proceedings as representatives of the university because of their official act. For personal legal advice, faculty, staff and students should consult a private lawyer.
The Pennsylvania State Bar Association and the Allegheny County Bar Association offer many resources, including a lawyer placement service. In addition, eligible individuals may be eligible for free legal advice from the Neighborhood Legal Services Association. Please note that you will receive legal advice from the lawyer who is an independent contractor. This means that the University of Pittsburgh, the Department of Student Affairs, the Office of Student Life, the Student Government Council, and their representatives are not responsible for the advice given to you. This advice is provided solely by the attorney who is not an agent, employee or representative of the University of Pittsburgh and its representatives. You will receive a twenty-minute private consultation with the lawyer. We would like to point out that this first consultation with the lawyer is offered to you free of charge. Any other consultation or advice may be agreed between you and the lawyer at the lawyer`s choice.
You are also advised that attorney may not represent you in any claim or action against the University of Pittsburgh or any subdivision or affiliate thereof, or any agency or representative thereof. Nor can the attorney represent you in any claim, action, or matter in which the University of Pittsburgh is a party or has a legal interest. For more information on the services offered by these programs, call (412) 396-6300. For more information on the services of the Civil Practice Clinic or to schedule a consultation, please call (412) 648-1300. You can also find more information on the program website or by sending an email to the program. MetLife Legal Services provides you with legal assistance when you need it. The plan provides unlimited access to a network of lawyers with an average of 25+ years of experience who can provide legal advice and representation in a variety of legal matters, including but not limited to: Students at the Immigration Law Clinic represent immigrants seeking asylum, deported from the United States and seeking special protection under the Violence Against Women Act. Students also help clients overcome language and cultural barriers that could hinder their success in the U.S. legal system.
Law students working at the Civil Practice Clinic will discuss your problem with you and then consult with their experienced supervising lawyers to determine if they can help you. If the clinic can help, a team of law students will investigate your issue, help you file important documents, and represent you in court at hearings if necessary. Free legal services are available to eligible low-income individuals. Contact the clinic for details on eligibility. Pro Bono Excellence Recognition: 50 hours of eligible pro bono legal volunteer during Law School Free legal aid is available in the following areas: Dedicated to low-income clients with diverse legal and ethical issues. The idea behind the PLSI Legal Innovations toolkit is to bring together many of the most promising innovations in public relations and legal service delivery, particularly those that can help the lawyer provide services to underserved client communities. We hope you will find this user-friendly resource that will allow the busy lawyer to learn effectively about innovations and implement all the tools that seem appropriate for their practice. The Student Government Council is pleased to offer students the opportunity to receive free 20-minute legal advice! Lawyers will first advise you on a specific legal issue or problem. Additional legal resources for students can also be found below. You can also call the NLSA Helpline at 1-866-761-NLSA (6572).
The hotline is available Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 14:30 and Mondays and Wednesdays from 17:00 to 20:00. A front desk worker will discuss your problem with you and determine if you meet the legal aid criteria, including income guidelines. If your case meets the criteria, a lawyer will speak to you on the phone and give you advice on how to proceed, including referral to a lawyer at your local NLSA office. The Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA) is a professional organization comprised of lawyers, judges, district judges, legal administrators and paralegals. The Lawyer Placement Service is available to help you find a lawyer for a specific type of legal case. Recommendations can be made by phone, mail or the Internet. Volunteering in the public sector that is not remunerated and not responsible for academic credits counts towards the recognition program. Volunteering in the public service includes non-legal community volunteering as well as legislated volunteerism beyond what counts for volunteer excellence. Volunteering for a scholarship or external loan is not eligible for this recognition, but you can report unpaid and non-credit government internships, community projects, and volunteering for not-for-profit organizations like JURIST. Time spent on a student organization is only eligible if it serves the community or a non-profit organization.
General meetings and activities of student organizations are not eligible. When the university`s legal needs require expertise beyond what the VHF can effectively and efficiently provide, we hire external consultants. When we do, we monitor these commitments to ensure that boards and deliverables are consistent with University policies, standards and expectations. The Neighborhood Legal Services Association (NLSA) is a non-profit organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals who meet the eligibility criteria. Policies are established annually, contact the office for more details. Two to four Pitt graduates can participate in the program each year. PLSI offers its lawyer incubator a secure office space on the fourth floor of the Barco Law Building with individual workstations and a conference room suitable for client meetings. PLSI facilitates connections with legal mentors in relevant and substantive areas of law and provides access to legal advice. PLSI also offers other amenities, including electronic legal research and case management software.
Volunteerism counts towards pro bono excellence when it involves unpaid, uncredited volunteer work related to providing legal services to low-income and underserved communities during law school. This definition is consistent with American Bar Association Model Rule 6.1: Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service. Students may want to explore other resources before meeting with a student legal services lawyer. Below, we have compiled a variety of resources related to common legal issues that students may face during their academic careers. Please note that these resources are provided for reference purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Die Health Law Clinic ist eine medizinisch-rechtliche Partnerschaft zwischen der University of Pittsburgh School of Law und dem UPMC Children`s Hospital of Pittsburgh.