A Lifetime of Service From UK College of Law
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 16, 2014) — The University of Kentucky College of Law, which celebrated its 100th year anniversary in 2008, is the alma mater of many notable people making a difference in their communities and beyond — including many judges, governors, state and federal legislators, prosecutors, public defenders, and law firm, nonprofit and corporate leaders. The focus for more than a century has remained the same — to prepare law students for a lifetime of service.
Founded as one of the nation’s first state law schools, the UK College of Law established the nation's first law school based trial practice program. In 1915, the college launched the Kentucky Law Journal — the 10th oldest student-run law journal in continuous publication in the United States. The American Bar Association accredited the College of Law in 1925, and it was elected to the Order of the Coif in 1931.
The College of Law builds daily on the foundation put in place more than 100 years ago, with thousands of alumni serving and making an impact in various capacities locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The college continues to provide students with a robust legal education, practical skills training, a background in ethics, and a sense of professionalism.
“We are also committed to providing public service opportunities for UK law students and encouraging civic engagement by faculty in relation to academic expertise,” said Daniel P. Murphy Jr., assistant dean for administration and community engagement.
The College of Law’s mission is to enhance the public’s understanding of law, engage in law reform, and provide legal services to the indigent. The college pursues this mission, in part, via its pro bono and community service activities program, which the college recently enhanced.
Professor Allison Connelly is director of the UK Law Legal Clinic. It provides third-year students with an opportunity to practice what they learn by advising, counseling and representing low income clients on a variety of legal matters.
“The law school has an obligation to train its students to be excellent lawyers and to cultivate in those students the ethical value of providing free legal services to their community and to those in need,” Connelly said. This fall, she has 14 students working on 34 cases.
There are many other opportunities for UK law students to receive real-world experience, including the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, the Veterans Assistance Program, an annual spring break pro bono initiative in Eastern Kentucky, Law Camp for high school students and more. Through these initiatives, students have an opportunity to roll up their sleeves and provide a service, not only to the Fayette County community, but to the entire Commonwealth and beyond.
Every spring, the VITA Program provides free tax preparation for low income families — all via the efforts of volunteer professors and students. Last year, 587 tax returns were filed resulting in a total of $579,000 in federal refunds for clients. Also, the college offers the Eastern Kentucky spring break trip, an annual event in which law students work with low income residents with property and environmental damage claims against various entities.
The College of Law is partnering in a new effort with Fayette Family Court Judge John Schrader, the Fayette Veterans Treatment Court and Legal Aid of the Bluegrass to assist veterans with civil legal matters, including bankruptcy, debtor-creditor issues, and family law to name a few.
“Clinics, externships and pro bono work educate our students while helping those in real legal need — those people who would otherwise fall through society’s cracks,” Connelly said. "Such programs are critical in teaching students how to use their legal knowledge and skill to make a difference in the lives of others and in their community.”
Connelly helped orchestrate the College of Law’s partnership with the Fayette County Bar Association to co-host the first Summer Law Camp, a seven-day residential law camp for high school juniors and seniors interested in the legal profession. Seventeen high school students attended classes, viewed live court sessions, shadowed an attorney and participated in mock oral arguments.
These are just a few of the ways the College of Law provides opportunities for students to take their classroom knowledge and put it to work while gaining valuable experience in the field of law. The College of Law faculty recently approved a new college rule that authorizes the dean to provide for special recognition of graduates who complete more than 50 hours of independent law-related public service while in law school.
Professor Chris Frost, chair of the College of Law Pro Bono Advisory Committee, said, “Our voluntary pro bono recognition program is designed to encourage students to undertake community service activities and to recognize their efforts in helping the community and the legal system.” He said participation in service and pro bono representation is a part of every lawyer’s responsibility.
David A. Brennen, dean, says the College of Law will build on this solid foundation of community service when strategically planning for the future. “Our emphasis will remain on being an outstanding public law school, preparing leaders and practice-ready lawyers to serve the country and the Commonwealth, produce nationally recognized legal scholarship, and contribute to the advancement of justice.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Blackford at 859-323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu