January 25, 2007

Cooley Expands Partnership With Cristo Rey Community Center in Lansing

Cooley Law School will expand its volunteer partnership with the Cristo Rey Community Center in February. Cooley Assistant Professor Chris Trudeau, coordinator of the project, said that because of the high demand for pro bono services, volunteers will more than double the amount of time spent providing free legal advice at the center, located on Lansing’s north side.

In October, Trudeau launched the partnership with Cristo Rey, visiting one afternoon a month. On Feb. 7, Trudeau and selected Cooley students will move their commitment to three Wednesdays a month — every week except the third Wednesday of the month when Legal Services of South Central Michigan provides pro bono advice.

Appointments will now be offered from 9 a.m.-noon. To schedule an appointment, call Cristo Rey at (517) 372-4700 and ask for Cindy or Elaine.

Trudeau works with Cooley’s Hispanic Law Society to select student volunteers to assist him. The students have served as translators — about half the people served at the center are Hispanic — but Trudeau plans to expand their role as the program grows.

The partnership is proving to be a winning situation for everyone. The clients benefit from free legal advice, students get much needed practical experience, and Trudeau gets a chance to give back to the community. “For me, it’s a way to give back; it keeps me connected,” Trudeau said.

About 50 percent of the caseload involves family law issues — divorce, custody, etc. Trudeau also handles landlord/tenant problems, labor and employment issues, and other matters.

Founded in 1972, Cooley Law School is now the largest law school in the country. Cooley has three campuses across Michigan, in Lansing, Grand Rapids, and at Oakland University in Rochester. In addition to the J.D. program, students at Cooley can also pursue an LL.M. in Tax or in Intellectual Property. Find out more about Cooley Law School by visiting the Cooley web site at www.cooley.edu.