Committed to Social Justice<br/>

 

 

The Disaster Relief Clinic has been working with victims of Superstorm Sandy since the storm hit in 2012. The clinic assists clients with all legal issues that have arisen as a result of the storm and its aftermath. Students represent clients in real estate and land use matters, public benefits and public utilities issues, FEMA claims and legal problems related to employment, contactor/consumer and general insurance law. On Wednesday, October 1, 2014 clinic staff and students participated in their first flood mediation for a Sandy victim in Brooklyn Federal Court.

 

Director of the Disaster Relief Clinic Benjamin Rajotte stated, “This is a special opportunity for a law school committed to social justice to help homeowners in need while educating the next generation of lawyers. These skills -- most importantly, the lessons of what it means to be diligent in practice -- will be important no matter what area of practice they go into.”

Two clinic students were able to witness a mediation that they helped prepare for as part of Touro’s Disaster Law Clinic. The experience provided students with the opportunity to observe first-hand the many skills required of an attorney during a mediation. Having knowledge of the law, procedure and facts of the case are important but the students also observed the need for an attorney to have good interpersonal skills, be a good tactician, be able to alter strategies quickly, the importance of keeping the client informed and involved and negotiation skills among others. These lessons are critical and among the many reasons Touro Law students are required to enroll in clinics and externships prior to graduation.

 

Third-year student Matthew Gamberg stated, “My experience at the first Hurricane Sandy Mediation in the Eastern District Court in Brooklyn was an eye-opening experience. I have previously had the opportunity to observe and participate in courtroom proceedings, but participating in a mediation was an entirely new experience for me. I feel it was an invaluable learning experience to observe this mediation. Most cases never make it to trial and alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, has become increasingly popular. It was interesting to witness both parties attempt to break down the issues, compromise, and find an acceptable solution for both sides. I learned a great deal from this experience and look forward to participating in future mediations. “

 

The Touro Law team pictured above in front of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn are: (back row left to right) Disaster Relief Clinic Staff Attorney and Touro Law alum, Dan Strafer; Director of the Disaster Relief Clinic Benjamin Rajotte; Director of ProBono, Thomas Maligno; and Disaster Clinic student Matthew Gamberg. Front row Disaster Relief Clinic client and student Sharon Wu.