This fall, MSU College of Law students, such as second-year law student Lee Schuchart, are helping hundreds of Lansing-area tenants keep their homes.
The MSU College of Law’s Housing Law Clinic teamed up with the Ingham County Department of Human Services to create the Ingham County Eviction Diversion Program to help tenants reach agreements with landlords to prevent eviction.
“My favorite part of the program is being able to use the skills I have been taught in law school and help the people who need legal assistance the most,” Schuchart said. “As early as kindergarten, we have been taught that the basic needs of all humans include shelter, food and water, (and) without these, we will not survive. Through the program, we are helping maintain our defendants’ basic needs.”
Each Wednesday, Michael Siracuse, a staff attorney for the clinic, takes students to the 55th District Court, 700 Buhl St., in Mason, to sit in on court hearings.
“Students get the chance to engage opposing attorneys in substantive legal negotiation and appear before the district court judges in Mason,” Siracuse said in an email. “This is a valuable experience for law students, especially if they are (second-year law) students and haven’t had a chance to make an appearance on the record before.”
The program is modeled after Kalamazoo’s Eviction Diversion Program, which began seven years ago.
SuAlyn Holbrook, director of Ingham County’s Department of Human Services, said there were approximately 9,000 evictions last year, which led to overcrowding in shelters. By having the law students help the county, she said students have a great opportunity to get practical experience with the court.
“(The law students) have energy, and they’re bringing excitement to (the courtroom),” Holbrook said. “By MSU being right here, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
Siracuse said his favorite part of the program is the interactions between the judges and the students.
“The Mason judges have been extremely gracious with us, recognizing that our team is comprised of inexperienced, but talented, up-and-coming legal minds,” he said.
Schuchart said the program also helps his career because he is able to interact with professional lawyers and judges.
“First, I am able to take the theory I have learned in the classroom and apply it to the ‘actual’ legal work,” he said. “Second, I have been introduced to the surrounding judges, lawyers and community service representatives who have helped develop my legal skills and also can serve as advisers in my future endeavors.”
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