Struggling with immigration issues? Injured in a car wreck? Preparing to get married? Dealing with difficult tenant or roommate issues?

During the 23rd Annual People’s Law School at St. Mary’s University on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, local attorneys will provide free education about common legal topics relevant to young adults and seniors alike.

This joint project of the San Antonio Bar Foundation and the St. Mary’s University School of Law’s Pro Bono Program will be held at the law school’s Law Classrooms Building. The doors for the event open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Classes begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m.

“Our goal is to empower the community with practical knowledge and information about their legal rights,” said attorney Dominic J. Negrón (J.D. ’13), who will teach the class, “How to Help When Your Loved Ones Cannot Make Decisions.”

Negrón added that the event also provides a way for “attorneys to connect with and give back to our community.”

Local attorneys will share their experiences during 45-minute sessions on a variety of topics, including:

  • Living wills
  • Divorce
  • Planning for nursing home or in-home care
  • Protecting yourself against identity theft
  • Guardianships
  • Social Security and SSI disability benefits
  • Immigration enforcement changes
  • Landlord/tenant or roommate rights and responsibilities
  • Driving While Intoxicated risks and consequences

After each session, attendees can ask questions and speak with the presenters.

For instance, Genevieve Hébert Fajardo, Clinical Professor of Law, who will teach the class “Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Tenant and Roommate,” said, “Almost everyone rents an apartment at some point in their lives, especially college students. This presentation covers basic rights for tenants, including how the lease works, how to get repairs, return of security deposits and dealing with roommates.”

Karen Kelley, Director of Clinical Education and Clinical Professor of Law, said that in addition to community service, “People’s Law School also provides the law students who help to organize and run the event the opportunity to interact with and learn from the lawyers who come to speak – lawyers who are setting for our students the worthy example of giving back to the community once they are in practice.”

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