GW Law’s Student Gulf Recovery Network Offers Meaningful Pro Bono Assistance in New Orleans

Since the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, as well as the more recent BP Oil Spill, Gulf Recovery Network, one of our many student organizations devoted in full or in part to pro bono work, has organized an annual service trip to New Orleans over the Law School’s winter break. GRN President Tommy Hayne related to me that “Last year, GRN had 44 participants fly down to New Orleans during the last week of December, with about half doing physical volunteer work and the other half doing legal aid.  For the past two years, we have worked with the Lower Ninth Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, doing projects like dry-walling, gutting, painting, and landscaping.  As for legal aid organizations, we have had students placed with the Louisiana Bar Foundation, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Louisiana Civil Justice Center, Fair Housing Action Center, and the Public Defender’s Office. Students are assigned to a variety of projects dealing with issues like domestic violence, ADA compliance, Medicaid eligibility, criminal law, and civil rights claims.”

I see GRN as an excellent example of how GW Law students engage with the community and bring about positive change, while at the same time learning important skills.  As they learn first-hand the value of pro bono work, GRN volunteers assigned to legal aid organizations also have opportunities to gain meaningful work experience, particularly in legal research and writing.  This can be especially beneficial for 1Ls, who may otherwise have little or no legal work experience on their resumes when they apply for their first summer jobs.

This year’s GRN trip will be from December 18 to 23, and I am told that there are a few spaces still available.  Those interested should contact GRN at gwlawgrn@gmail.com.