So Long, Farewell...

To Volunteers and MVLP staff:

I wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to work for such a great organization and with some amazing people.

The volunteers and I in my nine months here:

• Served approximately 815 clients,
• Delivered information to almost 50 organizations and coalitions through clinics, luncheons, heath fairs,
• Assisted approximately 322 clients at 15 clinics, and
  
• Contacted nearly 5,500 attorneys for recruitment purposes

In my short tenure here at MVLP, I have learned so much about so many things. I loved my job here! It was a job that came along at a time in my life when I needed it to for whatever reasons and for so many of them. I have learned so much about the practice of law, public interest work, and people.

I will say that if I learned anything during my time at MVLP, I learned about people. From how wonderful and giving people are, how open some peoples minds are, how many people need so much, and how absorbent the minds of law students are.

I would have missed out on meeting a lot of people without this job. I have learned that everyone can touch someone's life without having to go out of their way. It doesn't take a lot of something to make a huge impact--especially when you are dealing with the justice system.

Cheers (following suit),
Tami

A New Season is Here

Greetings All,

A new season is here which means changes, obstacles, and new experiences await. For me, the change is the loss of Tami Munsch from the MVLP, someone who has made my volunteer experience memorable. The obstacles are three challenging comprehensive law school exams I have next week. The new experiences...well, I am unsure what awaits me???!!!?!? :-)

I would like to wish Tami tremendous success in all her future pursuits :-) Not to make a scene or anything but one quality I admire most of you (Tami) is your ability to motivate and inspire. I never met anyone so creative and so dedicated to the objectives of an organization. From you, I take a greater understanding of the importance of pro bono work on behalf of low-income persons. Good luck to all my classmates preparing for your examinations. I pray we all excel this semester! To the staff at the MVLP, thank you for embracing me with such open arms. I look forward to the next few weeks of volunteerism. To everyone, enjoy the Christmas/New Year Holiday!!!!!!

Cheers,

Katrell

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

I am getting ready for Thanksgiving which means studying for my final exams of the fall semester of my second year of law school. I will be stuffing my stomach with turkey and my head with legalese.

Fall traditionally is a time of change and this year is no exception. Tami is leaving MVLP at the end of November and she will be missed. She has touched the lives of so many during her term at MVLP. She has brought hope and help to the underprivileged in our community. Tami has been an inspiration to those of us law students that aspire to make a positive difference in the world. She has provided not only guidance on how to practice public interest law but the opportunity to get real experience in the field.

The Public Interest Law Group at Mississippi College School of Law has benefited so much from our relationship with the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project. It is my sincere hope that the partnering of law students with an eye towards public interest and MVLP will continue long after I have moved on.

I recently accepted an internship with the Mississippi Center for Justice for the summer of 2008. My service with MVLP was a big factor in this opportunity being made available. Now, during this Thanksgiving week, I would like to say that I feel so grateful for the wonderful things happening in my life. I pray that my actions reflect the blessings that have been so freely given to me.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Fall Vols

The new school year brought new volunteers into the MVLP office. We still have a few SumVols in and out. Ashley comes in on Mondays for Legal Line; Brad comes in on Fridays for Legal Line and helps with clinics on some weekends.

We had a Health Fair/Clinic that Brad and I attended in Edwards, MS. At the fair, we provided information regarding Advance Health Care Directives. It was a great success and we helped spread awareness to many people. Another health fair will be in downtown Jackson on October 13.

We have a few new FallVols. Katrell Nash began working here in August. Trey Rick and Jessica Pitts began in September. Katrell, Trey, and Jessica assist the MVLP staff with client intakes (the screening process by which we decide who qualifies for our assistance.) They also help me with proofreading documents, articles, brochures, etc. Katrell and Trey assist with the Legal Line, pleadings, and recruiting. Katrell recruited volunteer attorneys to help with contractor fraud cases on the MS Gulf Coast related to Katrina. Katrell also assisted with the execution of a will. Jessica assists with filing and organization of Katrina cases.

I have 2 speaking engagements this month: one on October 9, 2007 at Mississippi College School of Law at the Public Interest Law Group Meeting and the other on October 25, 2007 at Mississippi College School of Law at the Black Law Student Association Meeting. If you are a student at MCSOL, stop in and join the groups.

I will be in D.C. October 11-14 for Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps training.

I just wanted to give a quick welcome and say "thank you" to the new FallVols and continuing SumVols.

Summer is winding down...

Summer is almost over. I know you really cannot tell by the 103 degree, record highs we are experiencing. By summer, I of course mean the semester and not the season. I could not really follow up the farewell message to John and Brad after Aboye's post due to its simplicity and eloquence.

Sumin left us last week and it was sad yet joyful all the same. We have a wonderful new website (http://www.mvlp.net) and a great new appreciation of Korean junk food. It was yummy (thanks for the food and allowing me to recognize that I can read Korean-that is a gift I did not know I possessed)! We understand that she must go have her adventures in New Jersey at school but she will be missed! Thank you for all of your help; it was deeply appreciated. If you come down for future Christmas breaks and summers, please stop in to say hello.

Ashley remains here at MVLP holding it down for the Sum Vols. She is currently working on recruiting volunteer attorneys to assist with Katrina Contractor Fraud cases and Bankruptcy. Ashley is also becoming very familiar with the adoption process and pleadings that go along with it. Her last official day is Thursday. Maybe, she will write another post before then!!!

Thus far, the Sum Vols have put in about 850 hours of volunteer time to the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project and low-income Mississippians. This is a much higher number than ever expected.

Thanks y'all!

2 Down...

Well, we said, "See you later" to a pair of our sumvols. I've been thinking about just what way I can verbalize my gratitude for all that they've contributed as members of our team. Sometimes the best things in life are kept simple. For that reason, I end this entry with the only two words that really seem to matter right now. Thank you.

MVLP Website Is Live!

HUZZAH! [insert other words of cheer]

After nearly two months of intense labor (or not), the new MVLP website is up! I'm sure there are still things to be added and edited, but it is mainly done. Now all that's left is backing up files, leaving behind documentation, and conducting a training session.

Yes, that's right. Sumin will be conducting a "How To Do (Nearly) Everything on the MVLP Website" training session on August 8, 2007 at 2:00pm. Mark it in your calendars. You can't miss such an important date! :)

In other news, a belated welcome to Ashley! John and Brad are leaving tomorrow, which makes me sad--it's been fun working in the same office. The good news is that Ashley's still going to be here!

I'm sorry that I haven't been able to go to the Wills & Estates Clinics with the rest of you. It sounds like it was amazing, and the photos are definitely fun.

I will log off, leaving behind this little gem of knowledge (that everybody else already knows): If you're ever working at Crystal's desk, do not answer the phone. :)

THOUGHTS FROM A SHORT TIMER

Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today. ~James Dean

My summer job is almost over here at the MVLP. It is hard to express the gratitude I feel for this opportunity. Life is filled with good intentions but here at the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project good intentions are becoming great works. I am able to see it first hand. People in need are getting help from the dedicated bunch of hard working people here at the MVLP. I am so proud to have been blessed with the chance to contribute to their efforts.

Tami continues to amaze me. Her patience with clients and her knowledge of the law come together to bring tangible positive results in people's lives. She is in the process of conducting "Wills Clinics" at all of the senior centers in the city of Jackson. We as volunteers are fortunate to be able to see a true professional at work. She is raising the bar for all attorneys with her example.

It is my philosophy that it is not the things we do that we will regret the most one day but the things we don't do. I would encourage every one that has the chance to help his fellow brethren, to take stock of your own blessings and then give of yourself with gratitude. Make the most of life. It is short and this is your one shot. GO FOR IT!!

Tami at a Wills Clinic

Hello :)

Hi everyone! My name is Ashley Daniel, and I am a rising 2L at Mississippi College with Brad and John. I have been here at MVLP for 3 weeks, and I apologize for not blogging earlier!!!I am from Monroe, Louisiana and went to LSU for undergrad.
I am really excited to be here and love working with everyone in the office. I have been working on the letters to the attorneys. Last week, Tami and I made a brochure to hand out at the Wills and Estate clinics. Going to the Wills clinics this past week with Tami has been rewarding. It was great to see MVLP in action outside in the community. Another service that I have participated in is Legal Line. The calls come in from 12-2, and it is great to help others get their questions answered.
Working here for just these few weeks has shown me how much this community needs the help that MVLP offers. I am looking forward to a great rest of the summer! :)

Diligence

All of the summer volunteers are here. We currently have four (Ashley is the fourth and she will introduce herself later).

So what has been going on? The volunteers are still diligently working on the letters to the attorneys. Also, the next couple weeks bring about nine Wills and Estates Workshops/Clinics. One clinic will be held at each of the Jackson area senior/retirement centers. The summer volunteers will be assisting me at these. While there, we will inform the group on the importance of planning their estates and define documents such as Last Wills and Testaments, Powers of Attorneys, and Advance Healthcare Directives. Following the informational, we will be available to meet one on one with potential clients. If they need us to prepare any or all of the documents, we will do so free of charge.

I am currently halfway through my term as an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Attorney at the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project. The amount of experience that I have gained during my brief tenure is insurmountable. I have been able to experience the management side of things with my SumVols. I have my own cases that I work on (a few have already been completed). I have already met several attorneys, made great contacts, and worked with amazing people. My networking notebook is growing by the minute. The most important part of what I do is client interaction. There is something so humbling about a client who feels as though there is nowhere else to turn, coming to you with all of their vulnerability, and asking for help. I really think the pay in public interest is that you truly are helping people that would not be getting help elsewhere. In private practice, the client can simply go somewhere else and pay another attorney. Here at MVLP, we are often the last stop and the last hope for a large percentage of our clients. Our mission is to help all that we can. We will do this with due diligence.

This is the group of attorneys and law students.

These are some members of the Pearlington community being helped.

This is a Picayune resident being assisted.

I Love My Job!

I love my job. We have been doing some awesome things that I am so proud to be a part of. Here is a brief run down of what we have been doing complete with some pictures.

Tami, John and I went on a Katrina legal clinic-athon last week. Three towns in one day. It was coordinated by Crystal Utley, the attorney for the Mississippi Center for Justice. Attorneys and law students from across the country came together on the gulf coast of Mississippi to help make a difference in the lives of those most affected by Hurricane Katrina. The law students were from Harvard, UCLA and Mississippi College (woo hoo!). Tami and Crystal are both graduates of MC Law and John and I are both students so I was very proud that we were represented so well. Linda Montgomery, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson, provided sustenance and support for our day long adventure. She also took these pictures of us in Picayune and Pearlington as we aided victims of Katrina.

This week has been about "wills". This fits in nicely with the summer class I am taking. Tuesday we went to the VA to prepare a will for a young veteran that is suffering with Multiple Sclerosis. It was rewarding to be able to bring a little peace of mind to this gentleman suffering with such a tragic disease. Thursday we held a wills clinic at the Jackson Medical Mall. This was an opportunity for members of the community to get their affairs in order. Being able to help others is why I got into law and working at the MVLP is allowing me to realize the dream.

Another One (Week of the Summer!) Bites The Dust

Alright, it is Friday! As John said, we had Katrina clinics all day yesterday. By all day I mean we were gone from 4 a.m. to Midnight! Despite the exhaustion, the high of helping so many still lingers.

John and Brad are still working on recruitment letters and Sumin is doing a fabulous job on the website!!!

John and Brad have both visited the Homeless Legal Clinic and we are currently working on a Best Practice Manual for it. We created business card sized, phone number handouts for the Clinic and even served food.

Next week, we have a Wills Clinic at the Medical Mall off of Woodrow Wilson. Looking forward to it!

Until then, Have A Great Weekend, Go to Jubilee Jam, and Remember to JAM Y'ALL!

Katrina Clinics

Yesterday Tami, Brad, and myself toured the MS gulf coast and served at three Katrina Legal Aid Clinics. The clinics were in Picayune, Pearlington, and Gulfport. I have to say that yesterday's experience was truly moving and enriching for myself, and the others will probably say the same thing. It was even neater to get the chance to work with attorneys and their interns from New York and San Fransisco. Seeing attorneys from large big city firms volunteering their time to help those in need thousands of miles away is truly inspiring to those of us that work in the public interest area. I feel very fortunate to have gotten the chance to lend my time and services to those in need at yesterday's clinics. The coast is certainly still reeling from the effects of the hurricane but there are signs of progress and rebuilding is occuring. Hopefully, that area will come back stronger and better than ever. I know for sure that in the future I will do all that I can to help the coast in its rebuilding and recooperating efforts. Future Katrina legal aid clinics are certainly exciting to think about, and I will be glad to do it again.

Another Week

We had another productive week. It is inspiring to see the attorneys that give so generously of their time. I am getting invaluable experience fielding potential clients, recruiting attorneys and answering Legal Line. I wanted to get into law to help those less fortunate and I am getting a first hand account of how to do it. This is an incredible network of dedicated people working to make a difference in the lives of those who really need it. I am very proud to have some small part in it. We are going down to the coast this week for some Katrina legal clinics. It sounds very exciting (except the part about leaving at 4 in the morning). I have not been to the coast since the hurricane so I am curious to see how things are progressing. I also am going to help out at Stewpot. Stewpot is an organization that started as a soup kitchen but has now expanded to provide shelter, clothing, counseling, and other services to those in need. This is proving to be a rewarding way to spend my summer.

The New Sumin--I mean, SumVol :)

Hello, everyone! I'm excited to be volunteering at MVLP, and I look forward to the summer.

First off, my name is Sumin Lee. I live in Clinton, MS (and graduated from Clinton High School, as the same as Ms. Aboye :) ), and am a sophomore at Princeton University in Princeton, NJ. (The North is cold.) I'm not a big fan of long walks on the beach, but short walks are okay. :) I love to make websites (which is one of my tasks here), knit (which honestly is not really helpful in Mississippi, but after going to school up North, has come in handy), eat good food, and especially spend time with people.

I heard about MVLP from my cousin Irene Asbury, a NJ lawyer who volunteers on the coast through MVLP. She told me if I weren't doing anything this summer, I should look into volunteering here, and I did!

In high school volunteering was my thing, but when I got to Princeton, I was lazy and let schoolwork get in the way of community service. I thought that maybe this summer is good a time as any to change my wayward ways (haha) and wanted to devote a good portion of my time for a better cause than snacking and surfing the internet (two of my loves, no doubt). As I told Ms. Tami, I want to devote myself to service to others, even after I graduate college. (I'd like to work in North Korean human rights after graduation--how I'm not quite sure, but hopefully I'll figure it out.)

I was very nervous about my first day, and even more so when I was stuck in traffic and got here 10 minutes late. An excellent first impression, I'm sure. However, everybody is so nice, as Mr. Brad said, and it only makes me more excited about the rest of the summer!

We Got a New Volunteer Starting...

Next week begins the third week of SumVols (coined previously by A.J.). A great new addition to the MVLP Volunteer Crew (or should I say Krewe?) will be Sumin, a student from Princeton. I will get her to also do an introduction.

Some of her duties will be following up with attorneys, calling clients for intake, assisting at clinics, and creating a user-friendly and attractive website.

We are excited to have her volunteering with us! Sumin, welcome to the office. I hope we are able to fulfill your expectations for your summer of volunteerism!

Week 2

Another productive and enlightening week here at MVLP. Everyone here has been so nice which has eased my "new job" apprehensions. We celebrated a birthday one day and all went to lunch on another. I am starting to feel like this is my extended family. The selfless dedication of these folks to helping the less fortunate of our fellow Mississippians is an amazing thing to witness.

I am struck by the tremendous need for the services offered here at the MVLP. When we open the Legal Line at 12:00, the phone rings constantly until we close the line at 2:00. When you can hear anguish turn to optimism in the voice of the people calling in, it is very rewarding. "Hope" is a wonderful thing to be able to offer.

I like that I am getting a broad range of legal experience here at MVLP. We are offering a Wills Clinic on June 21 which directly relates to the class I am taking this summer. I've been exposed to family law, property issues, contract disputes and even some criminal matters. I am so greatful for this wonderful opportunity.

Here I go!

Alright, so I had a request to post something that introduces me to our volunteers. The first thing anyone should probably know is not to ask me where I'm from. My sentence just ended with a dangling preposition, yes, I know. The short story is that I was born in Connecticut right after my dad graduated from UConn, moved to Nigeria when I was 6 months old, moved to Illinois when I was 5, moved to Texas when I was 7, came to Mississippi when I was 8 and spent 4 years in Chicago for college. While at school (Northwestern University, for any interested parties), I majored in Economics and minored in Political Science. This introduction business is starting to sounds like a celebration of self, so I'll bring it to a close.

It has been great to work with you SumVols so far, and I can tell that this is going to be a fun ride. Thanks for agreeing to hang out in our less-than-perfect digs, all the while dealing with other people's issues that may seem so different from the reality of your own lives. I can't tell you how humbling it is to see others willing to jump in wholeheartedly and do what we do. My personal wish for the three of you is that you take full advantage of learning about the law, human nature, your desires for the future and your beliefs from being in this unique position that straddles the best and worst of two diametrically opposed worlds: the world of the haves and that of the have-nots. May this be the beginning of a long and meaningful partnership!

Week of May 21st

We welcomed Brad and John into our office on Monday, May 21, for orientation and they started on Tuesday. Despite the continuous game of musical chairs that we play every day, much has already been accomplished.

Since it is still fairly early on Friday morning, I will say that these guys have worked three full days. In these few days, we have already received enrollment forms from two attorneys in small towns (the hardest types of attorneys to recruit) and an extended offer to assist in recruiting from a Chancellor in another County.

I have offered the Chancellor an opportunity to assist in our pro bono effort by recruiting the attorneys in his county and by allowing us to expand our legal clinics into his County. I informed him of the possibility of expanding our Wills Clinic and/or our Pro Se Divorce Clinic into his County.

This has been a great starting week for what I anticipate to be an awesome summer!

Brad and John, we appreciate your efforts in making this recruitment drive a success.

Enjoy your Memorial Day holiday and do not forget to "Let Justice Roll." :-D

Hi, my name is Brad Kerwin. I was born in Las Vegas Nevada but because my dad was an air force fighter pilot I have traveled extensively (air force brat). I worked at Northrop Grumman shipyard in Newport News, Virginia for 21 years while going to school at night. I received my undergraduate degree in History in 2004 and decided I wanted to do something more rewarding. I spent two years as an Americorp*VISTA volunteer in Grenada, Mississippi. I taught an Adult Literacy class that was funded by a Library of Congress grant and I taught English as a Second Language (ESL) to foreign born members of the community.

I am now a rising second year law student at Mississippi College School of Law. Volunteering at the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project is an awesome way for me to experience the kind of work I came to law school to do. My first week here has been amazing. Witnessing these dedicated people striving to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate is truly inspiring. I am looking forward to my time here at MVLP.

Brad Kerwin
bkkerwin@yahoo.com

Introduction

Hello, my name is John Biggs and I am volunteering with the MVLP this summer. I have already met most of you and look forward to working with you all this summer. Here's a little bit about me: I am a rising 2L at MSCOL and originally hail from Clarksville, TN. I enjoy the chance to volunteer my time and talents to help the lives of others. I also enjoy golf, music, and the ocassional run. I am very excited about what I can contribute to the program this summer and look forward to working with each of you to further the program's goals and have positive impacts on people's lives. See you all at the office!

John Biggs
Biggs@mc.edu
931-320-4595

A Summer of Volunteerism

The Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (MVLP), started in 1982, represents the nation's first formal association of a state Bar with representatives of the Legal Services Corporation. The primary mission of the MVLP is to provide high quality pro bono legal assistance to honest, hard-working Mississippians of low income and limited means, who would not otherwise have access to the courts.

Potential clients are screened by Legal Services to determine income eligibility and the legal merit of their cases. The cases are then forwarded to the MVLP and referred to Mississippi Bar members who agree to take the cases on a pro bono basis.

This summer, the Project will have three summer volunteers: Brad Kerwin, John Biggs, and Ashley Daniel. Brad and John will begin on May 21, 2007 and Ashley will begin in July.

Throughout their summer of volunteerism, they will blog about their time with MVLP, what they do and would like to do at MVLP, and provide us with stories.

Their first blog will be one introducing them and their plans.

MVLP would like to formally express its gratitude, in advance of their service, to the summer volunteers.

Hopefully, this will remind all that the privilege of practicing law is a gift that can be given continuously and not just once.