Community Development Clinic at UMass Law Offers Free Legal Assistance

Read the full press release: Community Development Clinic Offers Free Legal Assistance

The Community Development Clinic at the University of Massachusetts School of Law - Dartmouth is actively recruiting new clients for its Small Business program. CDC services are free of charge, but clients are responsible for any local, state or federal filing fees. Program services are available during the Spring Semester, which runs January to May.

Student Attorneys are upper level law students working under the close supervision of licensed Massachusetts attorneys. Student Attorneys will help small business clients consider the best form for the business—corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or partnership, for example. Services are limited to non-litigation matters and projects that provide suitable learning opportunities for law students.

To learn more about the CDC program or to apply for services from the CDC, contact Linnea R. Michel, Esq., Clinic Attorney, at 508.985.1163.  

Law School Open House

On Wednesday, January 25, 2012, the UMass School of Law - Dartmouth will host an open house for prospective students. Meet with law school Admissions staff to learn about our:

• JD, JD/MBA, and JD/MPP Programs
• 3+3 Program
• Flexible full-time and part-time programs
• Day and evening classes
• Scholarships and fellowships
• Affordable tuition

You can also learn about our exceptionally diverse student population and our Bar prep course with a known success rate.

To register, call 508.985.1110. For more information, contact Nancy Fitzsimmons Hebert at 508-985-1113.

Interim Dean Appointed

UMass School of Law Associate Dean and Professor, Michael G. Hillinger, has been appointed Interim Dean by UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack. Dean Hillinger succeeds Robert V. Ward, Jr., who resigned last week.

"I am very grateful to Dean Hillinger for accepting this responsibility," Chancellor MacCormack said. "His long experience in legal education, his knowledge of our program and our aspirations, and his unyielding commitment to student success make him an ideal leader at this moment."

"I am honored and humbled by the trust that Chancellor MacCormack is placing in me," Dean Hillinger said. "I look forward to working closely with students, faculty, and staff to build on the great work that has already been accomplished."

Dean Hillinger has served in law school administration since 1990, including as associate dean of the Southern New England School of Law. He served as a law professor at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary, the Southern New England School of Law, and the UMass School of Law. His research has focused on issues related to bankruptcy. Dean Hillinger holds a law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary and a PhD in Political Science from Columbia University.

UMass School of Law Professor Philip E. Cleary has been appointed to serve as Associate Dean. Associate Dean Cleary earned his law degree at Boston College and practiced law for a decade prior to embarking on his legal education career, which has included service as dean of the Southern New England School of Law. As a practicing attorney, Associate Dean Cleary tried the first case in the country involving private employee drug testing and served as an appellate attorney with the Committee for Public Counsel Services.

Community Development Clinic News

The Community Development Clinic (CDC) at the University of Massachusetts School of Law - Dartmouth is pleased to announce that two of its nonprofit clients have been recognized as tax-exempt organizations by the Internal Revenue Service.

Youth Investment Foundation, Inc. (“YIF”), has been recognized under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) as a tax-exempt public charity. SNESL alumna and YIF Board Member Elizabeth Pollin, Esq., drafted the organization’s application to the IRS with the assistance of the CDC.

Pegasus Horseshoe League, Inc., has been recognized under IRC section 501(c)(7) as a tax-exempt social club. While a student attorney in the CDC, UMass Law Class of 2011 graduate Erin Owens assisted with the organization’s application to the IRS.

The Community Development Clinic, a clinical practice course of UMass Law, provides legal assistance to new and established nonprofit organizations. For more information, contact Attorney Linnea Michel at 508.985.1108.

UMass Law Students Selected for Summer Corps

UMass Law students Jennifer Velarde and Diana S. Owusu have been selected to serve as members of the 2011 Equal Justice Works Summer Corps. The Equal Justice Works Summer Corps program provides law students with the opportunity to dedicate their summer to a legal project at a qualifying nonprofit public interest organization. Summer Corps members expand the delivery of critically needed legal assistance in low-income and underserved communities across the country on a broad range of issue areas.

Awards Presented at Graduation Brunch

The law school’s graduation awards were presented at a graduation brunch held at the law school before the graduate commencement ceremony. The brunch was hosted by Dean Robert Ward and attended by University President Jack Wilson, Chancellor MacCormack, and Margaret Xifaras, the former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Southern New England School of Law, all of whom spoke at the brunch.

Special recognition was given to Mark Creedon, a member of the class of 2011, who tragically passed away in February. Mark was given the St. Thomas More Award and a special award recognizing his service as a member of the school’s team in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. The awards were accepted by his parents, Andrea and Brian Creedon. Mark was also awarded his Juris Doctor degree posthumously at the commencement ceremony.

Another special award was given to Patrick Noonan in recognition of his efforts in saving the life of a fellow student.

The Academic Achievement Award, given to the graduate with the highest cumulative grade point average, was presented to Neil Smola. Mr. Smola also delivered the Valedictory Address at the brunch.

Brittany Pinson received the Adam Pauley Memorial Prize for academic excellence.

The Dean’s Service Awards were given to Mary Bono, Alicia Brown, Erin Owens, and Robert Spavento.

The Alumni Association Award was presented to Alicia Brown by Thomas Cleary, the newly elected president of the Alumni Association.

Robert Spavento was awarded the Student Bar Association Hon. Francis J. Larkin Amicus Award, which is given annually to recognize the recipient’s uncommon dedication and service to his fellow students.

The Thurgood Marshall Social Justice Award, which is given to a graduate who demonstrated a strong commitment to social and economic justice, was presented to Brandon Walecka, the outgoing president of the Student Bar Association, who also spoke at the brunch.

Kellee-Sue Henry received the Rikki J. Klieman Advocacy in Scholarship Award.

The Delta Theta Phi award for service to the fraternity was given to Neil Smola.

Certificates of recognition were also presented to the graduating members of the law review and to the Dean’s Pro Bono Tutors.

Public Interest Summer Stipend Recipients Announced

UMass Law congratulates the recipients of the 2011 Public Interest Summer Stipends: Matthew Feinberg, Alanda Grice, and  Diana Owusu.

UMass Law Student Honored

UMass Law student Alanda Grice has received two honors recently.

On April 25, 2011, Ms. Grice was given the "Access to Justice Award" by the National Association of Women Judges at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston. The organization presents only one award a year. 

She has also been named the 2011 Massachusetts Black Judges Book Award recipient. This award was presented on April 27, 2011, at the Suffolk University School of Law. Chief Justice Roderick Ireland of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court delivered welcoming remarks.

We are very proud of Ms. Grice. All of us at the university are proud of Ms. Grice's accomplishment.

UMass Law Professor's Article Featured

Professor Justine Dunlap’s article, “I’d Just As Soon Flunk You As Look at You?”: The Evolution to Humanizing in a Large Classroom, 47 Washburn L.J. 389 (2008), has been selected to be featured on the website of the Institute for Law Teaching and Learning as the April 2011 article of the month.

War and Peace in East Timor: Doing Justice After the Shooting Stops

On March 4, 2011, the International Law Society, the UMass Law chapter of the International Law Students Association, sponsored a lecture by Chief Justice Phillip Rapoza of the Massachusetts Appeals Court entitled “War and Peace in East Timor: Doing Justice after the Shooting Stops.” Chief Justice Rapoza discussed his experiences working for the United Nations in the former Portuguese colony of East Timor. He served as an International Judge of the war crimes tribunal (2003-2005) in East Timor and as Special Panels Coordinator of the Special Panels for Serious Crimes in East Timor (2004-2005). He continues to work with the United Nations in East Timor and in other international law venues. He currently serves as President of the International Penal and Penitentiary Foundation, headquartered in Berne, Switzerland.