The Mitchell Hamline School of Law may soon be bringing their knowledge of legal statutes to a neighborhood near you thanks to their new Mobile Law Recreational Vehicle.
The goal of the addition of the Mobile Law RV is to help give back to the community.
“We are of the community. We are for the community,” said retired state Supreme Court Justice Helen Meyer, who also chairs the Mitchell Hamline Board of Trustees. “We are the law school that is truly engaged.”
The launch of @MitchellHamline's new Mobile Law Network featured in @PioneerPress https://t.co/Cgj0kINeiQ pic.twitter.com/XAMAUFpH04
— Mitchell Hamline School of Law (@MitchellHamline) September 30, 2016
Not only will the Mobile Law RV provide members in the community with access to free legal advice, but it will also give law students the opportunity to listen to legal problems and develop strategies to help solve the issues.
“Our intent is to start by working with organizations around the state to increase access to legal services for people in need and to provide our students with even more extensive opportunities for hands-on legal experience,” said Mark C. Gordon, president and dean at Mitchell Hamline.
Wheels of Justice
The mobile RV – nicknamed the Wheels of Justice – was made possible through almost $40,000 in donations. The donations covered the cost of retro-fitting the 20-year-old, 31-foot recreational van, which is scheduled to make it’s first appearance in Mankato on October 7. The law office on wheels will then travel to the Ramsey County Library in Roseville for a scheduled appearance on October 15.
Students and staff supervisors will provide legal services for anyone in the community free of charge, with an emphasis on family law, criminal expungements and advance health care planning.
“Justice should not be bought,” said Michael Davis, senior U.S. District Judge for the District of Minnesota. “There are people out in the community that need help. This project will bring that to them.”
Keep an eye out for the big red RV in your neck of the woods in the future!
