Loyola’s law clinic will be able to significantly expand by the end of the year thanks to Stuart H. Smith, law alumnus and local lawyer.
The development was made possible in part by Smith’s donation of $1.2 million.
In honor of the gift, the clinic was renamed the Stuart H. Smith Clinic and Center for Social Justice last semester.
“The clinic is bursting at the seams,” said Brian Bromberger, dean of the College of Law.
Though currently located within the law school, the growing clinic will soon move to the newly purchased Dominican Conference Center.
The money donated by Smith did not cover the entirety of the $2 million purchase of the conference center.
The rest was received through a number of smaller donations. Bromberger noted that none of the money came from the university’s funds.
“I spent an enormous amount of my time raising money,” he said.
Before the conference center, which is located on Broadway Avenue, can be used, alterations will need to take place. Bromberger hopes to see it transformed into a stand-alone clinic.
“Because it acts like a law firm, it should look like a law firm,” he said.
According to its mission, the clinic “allows third year law students the opportunity to represent indigent clients under the supervision of experienced attorneys.”
Students are given their own cases and the chance to apply knowledge gained from their first two years of law school.
The students are chosen on a first come, first serve basis, and there are currently around 100 students working at the clinic, in addition to faculty and staff.
The new clinic will include a classroom, as well as offices and several research and interview rooms.
The move to the new location will return the clinic’s rooms to the law school, Bromberger said. Much of it will benefit the library, as it will most likely extend the library reading room.
Bromberger believes that the expansion will increase its influence and help it measure up against other clinics. Though no final estimation can be made, he aspires to see it completed by the end of fall.
Melissa Hirsch can be reached at [email protected].
