Access to Justice Clinic
Access to Justice Clinic student attorneys Tara Lucombe, '25 and Serena Brahaspat, '25.
In the Access to Justice Clinic (A2J), student attorneys work to protect and advance civil rights, equal rights, and reproductive justice, especially for vulnerable and underrepresented communities. Our work includes litigating in federal court, advocating for legislative reform, and engaging in the community. From civil rights litigation to equal rights legislation to reproductive justice and maternal health advocacy, our students represent clients on issues of local, national, and global importance.
Note: This course satisfies four hours of the experiential learning requirement and provides the 50-hours of pro bono service required for admission to the NYS Bar.
Bernadette Gargano
Vice Dean for Experiential Education and Social Justice Initiatives; Director of Clinical Legal Education; Director of Access to Justice
Federal Litigation - Civil Rights
- Students will have the opportunity to work on federal civil rights cases, network with outstanding federal practitioners, and meet federal judges.
- Students will perform legal research, develop legal resources for unrepresented litigants, and aid in navigating legal documents and the court system.
- Students will also staff embedded clinics in the federal courthouses in Western New York.
Clean Slate Clinic
Students from the Access to Justice Clinic, Civil Rights and Transparency Clinic, and Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic participated in the Clean Slate Act Legal Clinic on November 22, 2024. This event was organized in partnership with the City of Buffalo, University at Buffalo School of Law, Community Service Society, Legal Aid, Center for Community Alternatives, Alliance of Families for Justice, and other advocacy organizations.
During the Clinic, students from Clinical Legal Education program and other advocacy organizations reviewed the criminal records/convictions of over 100 participants and advised them on if they were eligible for record sealing through the Clean Slate Act and if there was additional legal assistance available to them.
What is the Clean Slate Act?
The Clean Slate Act was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on November 14, 2023 and came into effect on November 16, 2024. This Act enables individuals with past criminal convictions to have their records sealed, if they meet specific requirements. By having their criminal records sealed, individuals are provided new opportunities for employment, housing, and community engagement.