Learning to Serve the Poor and Increasing Access to Justice

Community Legal Aid is proud to announce that 13 local law students will be joining the firm as 2009 Summer Associates. Over ten weeks the Summer Associates program teaches law students about the overwhelming legal needs faced by the most vulnerable members of our communities. It also helps them to understand the responsibility which comes with practicing law: to ensure equal access to justice for everyone. 

The Summer Associates include five students from The University of Akron, School of Law: Georgelle Heintel, Susan Lavalley, Sergio Ledezma, Takeita Wilkerson and Stacey Zipay. Five students from Case Western Reserve University, School of Law are also part of the program: Brandon Dornbusch, Stephen Ellsesser, Patrick Hakes, Melissa Kunder, and Robert Stutzman. They will be joined by three students from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University: Brian Batchman, Lynn Meadows and Marcel Wieth.

The Summer Associates will work at Legal Aid’s Akron, Canton, Warren or Youngstown offices and have the opportunity to work closely with Legal Aid attorneys in areas such as foreclosure, family law, consumer rights and bankruptcy, housing law and Legal Aid’s homeless project. This year will be the first year Summer Associates have the opportunity to be involved with Legal Aid’s HelpLine and Municipal Court Project. Summer Associates will also have the opportunity to meet with local judges and community leaders to learn first hand about the needs of the most vulnerable members of our communities. Confirmed speakers include Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio, Joann M. Sahl, Assistant Director of The University of Akron Legal Clinic and representatives of local battered women’s shelters.

“We look forward to welcoming our 2009 Summer Associates,” says Executive Director Sara Strattan. “The Associates not only assist our attorneys and staff with a variety of tasks, but also have the opportunity to learn skills that will help them in their professional goals, and become advocates for less fortunate members of our community.”

Summer Associates will also learn about opportunities to continue working with Legal Aid through the school year, and fellowship opportunities open to graduates.