The Program thus serves the dual goals of ameliorating some of the problems in the community of which the Law School is a part, and assisting law students in the development of fundamental lawyering skills. The Bankruptcy Pro Bono Project, which began in the Fall of 1993, grew out of a concern of United States Bankruptcy Court Judge, Judith H. Wizmur, that a significant number of Southern New Jersey residents were filing pro se petitions for bankruptcy relief, or were not filing because of a lack of pro bono legal representation. This has resulted in increased interaction between law students and the local bar, expanded hands on experience for students, pro bono opportunities for attorneys, and most importantly, desperately needed relief for residents of local Southern New Jersey communities. Clients for the Bankruptcy Pro Bono Project are referred to the Law School's Pro Bono Coordinator through the offices of CRLS, which provides screening for income eligibility. The Coordinator and her assistant set up client appointments and schedule student volunteers to assist Project attorneys.
Clients meet with law students and attorney supervisors at the law school during evening hours.
Approximately 240 law students have been trained through the Project. Our current panel of volunteer attorneys numbers over 40. All 2L and 3L students are eligible to participate in the Bankruptcy Pro Bono Project. Enrolling in the introductory Bankruptcy course is highly recommended, but is not a requirement for participation in the project. The Project year begins in September with a two part mandatory training.