Meghan Piano BS ’04, JD ’07 and Lecturer Ashanti Mitchell are delivering care packages to homeless camp residents during the pandemic

Deputy Santa Clara County Public Defender and Santa Clara Law Lecturer Meghan Piano U ’04 JD ’07 and Santa Clara Law Lecturer Ashanti Mitchell were featured in a Mercury News article about Santa Clara County Public Defenders who, once a week, deliver face masks, hand sanitizer and other supplies as well as information about available resources to people living in homeless camps.

“The Public Defender Office had been visiting homeless shelters and clinics monthly to offer legal and other services, but when COVID-19 shutdowns began in March, the attorneys quickly ramped up their efforts. Despite many court services shutting down, their regular caseloads haven’t diminished — meaning the lawyers are waking up extra early and working late to get everything done.”