ANN ARBOR, MI — University of Michigan law students are offering free legal assistance to groups facing legal issues during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Michigan Law COVID Corps, a group of 200 UM law students, is already providing pro bono help to Michigan organizations in the areas of prison decarceration, workers’ rights, business support, housing rights and voting rights, organizers said.
“Medical staff are on the front lines, but lawyers are confronting the pandemic’s shockwaves,” said Maiya Moncino, the group’s founder. “Most law students don’t know much about epidemiology, but we do know about unemployment insurance, eviction proceedings, or civil rights litigation. COVID-19 has created a whole host of legal problems, and we want to show up for our communities.”
The group was launched in April and is recognized by the UM law school as an official pro bono project. The COVID Corps has provided hundreds of volunteer hours on 15 projects so far, including a brief filed in federal court regarding ballot qualification requirements and legal research regarding the release of immigrant detainees, its leaders said.
Liz Ryan, president/CEO of Youth First Initiative, an organization calling for the release of incarcerated youth during the coronavirus pandemic, said the COVID Corps did an outstanding job with a number of projects.
“The COVID Corps supported several of our high priority COVID-19 rapid response projects, including outreach, writing, legal analysis and data gathering,” Ryan said. “... We were so impressed with their dedication, professionalism and high-quality work.”
With the spring 2020 semester done and final exams over, COVID Corps leaders’ are hoping to get more work and recruit more UM law students to help.
“I believe it is our responsibility as members of the legal community to provide support in any way we can,” said Brooke Simone, a task force leader with the group. “We hope to alleviate the burden many Michiganders are shouldering while mobilizing law students to get involved."
Those with legal or research needs related to coronavirus can request volunteers here and a COVID Corps leader will follow up to confirm details and connect interested law students, the release said.
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