Not many things come free at UCLA, but surprisingly, some legal
advice does.
UCLA Student Legal Services, which is celebrating its 35th
anniversary today, offers free mobile legal clinics every month and
private appointments with an attorney for a nominal fee to all
registered UCLA students.
During its anniversary celebration, beginning at noon today on
the A-level of Ackerman Union, refreshments will be provided by the
Associated Students of UCLA.
The attorneys at Student Legal Services all share an equal
enthusiasm in being able to work with students.
“It is very interesting here as a lawyer to see so many
different kinds of problems. … There is a lot of diverse
population ““ students of all ages, socioeconomic groups,
ethnic groups,” said Kathleen Koch-Weser, an attorney at
Student Legal Services. “It’s really interesting as a
lawyer; there is no chance to get bored. (There are) always
different sorts of problems.”
To suit students’ needs, a wide range of legal services
are attended to by the attorneys.
Most of the time they provide students with basic information,
write letters for them and negotiate on their behalf, said
Elizabeth Kemper, director of the group and one of its
attorneys.
Though the attorneys cannot go to court on behalf of students,
they will put students in contact with attorneys who can help them
further if necessary.
“The attorneys at Student Legal Services are very ethical,
competent and professional,” said Brent Ferguson, a
third-year law student and past intern for Student Legal
Services.
“They are willing to say “˜I don’t know enough
about this topic matter, but I know someone I can refer you
to,'” he added.
For a one-time fee of $30, students can set up a private
appointment with an attorney, regardless of how many hours are
spent on the case.
The only other fee is $300, which is only occasionally charged
to a student if there are a number of complicated forms to fill
out.
Most student clients find the legal service they receive to be
efficient and helpful.
“I got great help from (Student Legal Services). I
don’t have any legal experience, so I couldn’t resolve
the issues on my own,” said Michael Trousov, a third-year
student in the doctoral student program at the UCLA Anderson School
of Management. “They did exactly what I wanted.”
Though Student Legal Services fees are low, its services were
actually free until the early 1990s, when the university sustained
several budget cuts, Kemper said.
At that point, the fee became $10 for all services, she
added.
Because of the 20 percent budget cut the UCLA Student Fee
Advisory Committee faced this past year, fees were raised once
again to the current $30 level, and a specialized fee for forms was
also implemented, Kemper said.
The service is “primarily funded by registration fees,
(which) keeps the cost so low,” Kemper said, adding that
these prices are ideal for students and enable them to maintain
their academic focus while dealing with legal issues.
Koch-Weser notes there is always someone at the office to guide
and assist students, as well as offer advice.
Student Legal Services is able to target a wide range of
students by having two locations of mobile legal clinics ““
one in the De Neve dining area and another in Ackerman Union
““ and by holding educational clinics.
“This is a win-win situation for everyone. Student clients
from (UCLA) were able to get, in my opinion, some absolutely
excellent legal advice and representation from attorneys who are
ultimately responsible for everything,” Ferguson said.
Law students can receive course credit for their work with
Student Legal Services, as part of a clinical course to teach
hands-on skills.
“Law students are able to get very good experience, and
the attorneys had people to help them,” Ferguson said.
Undergraduates are also able to apply for volunteer internships
in the office, and have the opportunity to learn about the inner
workings of the office.
Student Legal Services is staffed by three attorneys, between
three and seven UCLA graduate law students and two undergraduate
interns.