HR356: HR356 Georgia State University College of Law; paragon of excellence in clinical legal education in and beyond the State of Georgia; commend

25 LC 112 3094 House Resolution 356 By: Representatives Park of the 107th, Hugley of the 141st, Kelley of the 16th, Martin of the 49th, and Jones of the 47th A RESOLUTION Recognizing the Georgia State University College of Law for being a paragon of excellence1 in clinical legal education in and beyond the State of Georgia and commending its respective2 clinics for their towering accomplishments; and for other purposes.3 WHEREAS, the Georgia State University College of Law has committed itself to the highest4 caliber of legal education since opening its doors to students in 1982; and5 WHEREAS, the Georgia State University College of Law maintains a student-centered6 curriculum by fusing theory and practice; and7 WHEREAS, clinical legal training is a component of legal education that gives students early8 practical experience under the instruction of professors and th e guidance of supervising9 attorneys; and10 WHEREAS, a stated goal of the student practice rule adopted and promulgated by the11 Georgia Supreme Court is to help meet the legal needs of low-to-moderate-income Georgians12 who are unable to afford vital legal services; and13 H. R. 356 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3094 WHEREAS, the College of Law offers its students this experienti al learning opportunity14 through four in-house clinics and three off-site clinics that concentrate on legal needs relating15 to health, income tax assistance, disability benefits, and business development; and16 WHEREAS, more than $1,000,000 in benefits have been obtained by t h e H e a l t h L a w17 Partnership Clinic for children and families in need of both me dical and legal services,18 garnering nationwide attention as the highest-ranked health clinic in the country; and19 WHEREAS, the Phillip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic has rec overed in excess of20 $55,000 in refunds for more than 200 low-income Georgians during the post-audit stage of21 their Internal Revenue Service disputes; and22 WHEREAS, the Immigration Clinic is the first of its kind in Georgia and one of the few in23 the Southeastern United States that offers representation for l ow-income individuals24 appearing before immigration courts and in detention proceedings; and25 WHEREAS, the Community Development and Entrepreneurship Clinic is the only in-house,26 law-school-based transactional law clinic in metropolitan Atlan ta with a service emphasis27 on small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and grassroots coalitions; and28 WHEREAS, through the Mediation Clinic, students gain invaluable skills relating to29 alternative dispute resolution; and30 WHEREAS, student practitioners in the Capital Defender Clinic p rovide immeasurable31 assistance to the Office of the Georgia Capital Defender in representing defendants who face32 the death penalty; and33 H. R. 356 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3094 WHEREAS, low-income children and adults with disabilities benefit immeasurably from the34 crucial legal advocacy students furnish as part of the Olmstead Disability Clinic; and35 WHEREAS, each of these clinics offered by the Georgia State Uni versity College of Law36 is an unmatched testament to the State of Georgia's commitment to a brighter and more just37 future for all its citizens; and38 WHEREAS, the College of Law's clinical legal education offering s are ranked among the39 highest in the nation, consistently surpassing the standards of excellence and service; and40 WHEREAS, it is both fitting and proper to acknowledge the transformative impact each of41 these clinics has on the lives of Georgians, to celebrate the s ustained focus and dedication42 of all of the students and faculty members, and to express gratitude for the work that reflects43 favorably upon this state.44 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that45 the members of this body celebrate, commend, and congratulate the clinical legal education46 program at the Georgia State University College of Law for its towering accomplishments,47 for its steadfast dedication to the ideals of access to justice , and for its unwavering48 commitment to experiential learning for its students.49 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized50 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Interim51 Dean Courtney L. Anderson and to the directors of each of the r espective clinics listed52 herein.53 H. R. 356 - 3 -