August 9, 2006

Mitchell students assist Katrina survivors

William Mitchell students traveled to New Orleans the week of August 6 to work with legal organizations on problems related to Hurricane Katrina. They donated their time to the Pro Bono Project, which assists clients with a range of civil matters. These include issues involving consumer, employment, family, health, housing, and Social Security law.

Funding was provided by Mitchell alumni, faculty, students, and staff; a grant from the Minnesota Bar Association; and a matching grant from an area law firm.

This is the third time William Mitchell students have traveled to the area affected by Hurricane Katrina. They went to New Orleans over spring break 2006 and worked with Common Ground, the New Orleans Legal Assistance Center (NOLAC), and the Juvenile Justice Project on a variety of legal issues affecting Hurricane Katrina survivors, including voting rights of displaced residents, insurance mediation, community redevelopment, FEMA notifications, interstate child custody, housing problems, bankruptcy protection, and more. The students conducted research, triaged cases, disseminated information, met with and helped advise clients, and provided other legal services.

Mitchell students also assisted with post-Katrina clean-up in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The students are advised by Diane M. Dube, resident adjunct professor at William Mitchell. Dube, who was on the Katrina Task Force of the Minnesota State Bar Association, had considered ways in which law students might be able to help hurricane survivors over spring break. She learned about the Student Hurricane Network, a Web-based organization of law students across the country that puts law students in touch with volunteer opportunities on the Gulf Coast.

Students at William Mitchell plan to continue organizing volunteer trips during academic breaks, as long as funding is available. They anticipate that Katrina-related legal needs in the Gulf Coast will continue for years to come. 

» Learn more about the Pro Bono Project
» Learn more about the Student Hurricane Network