A somewhat unique feature of MPLP is the leading role that the UMLS plays as a direct provider of support services in the state. It is important to note that, prior to beginning the MPLP partnership, there was an existing relationship between the University of Michigan Law School and legal services programs. With UMLS, we were working with an institution with which legal services had worked closely and productively for many years. The UMLS General Clinic has been a great litigation resource for legal services since the mid 1970's. There are several reasons why the time is right for an expanded role for law schools in the area of civil legal services to the poor.
Many schools wish to expand clinical opportunities to their students.
Legal services programs are uniquely situated to provide those opportunities. In fact, one of the main funding sources for MPLP is a grant secured by UMLS from the University of Michigan Provost's Office to support service-based learning projects in the community. Many leaders in legal education are aware of and concerned about the crisis in legal aid funding. I also think that this is an ideal time for legal services programs to be reaching out for these partnerships. In the current political climate, our programs need the broadest base of political support possible.