Newsletter Summer 2018

A word from the Executive Director

THANK YOU for making 2017-18 an excellent academic year for the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center; we could not do this important work without your continued support.

Despite the challenging political and legal landscape the Law Center presses forward, remaining true to its original mission to advocate for the low-income and train law students. The work focuses on consumer law, immigration law, employment law, and anti-human trafficking. This year law students, under the supervision of our attorneys, served over 1200 clients and invested more than 6,000 hours to deliver nearly $1M in free legal services; bringing peace of mind and increased economic security for community.

Law Center students gain valuable legal skills while cementing their life-long commitment to social justice advocacy. Read below about Law Center alumni Ben Dupre who learned consumer law here and later launched a successful law practice helping the most vulnerable. Our work equips students for the practice of law and extends well beyond the Law Center doors.

There is still much work to be done. The challenges are great but our resolve is greater; we will not stop seeking just solutions. As we prepare for the next fiscal year, please consider making a gift to keep our programs strong.

I also want to take an opportunity to invite you to Celebrate with us on the evening of Thursday, October 4, on the Santa Clara University campus (see the link below). We look forward to seeing you there.

Deborah Moss West
Executive Director

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Professor Scott Maurer, Reuben Castillo, and Spring 2018 consumer law students.

Join the Annual Celebration on Thursday, October 4, on the Santa Clara University Campus

Our theme this year is “Community, Commitment & Courage” recognizing the incredible strength of our client community and those who tirelessly advocate on their behalf. We will salute our very own Professor Margarita Alvarez, Law Center Clinical Faculty, who retires this summer. Come share in the inspiration, the great company, and the possibility of winning exciting auction items. Read more.

Lynette Parker to be honored as Unsung Hero by Santa Clara County Bar Association

Join us in congratulating Law Center Clinical Professor Lynette Parker who was selected as one of this year’s Unsung Heroes by the Diversity Committee of the Santa Clara County Bar Association. Each year the Unsung Heroes Awards recognize individuals and organizations in our legal community, regardless of ethnicity, who have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to encouraging the advancement of minorities in the legal profession or promoting equal access to the administration of justice for individuals. The award will be presented at the Annual Reception on July 10, 2018 at 5:30 p.m., at the San Jose Law Library, 360 N 1st Street, San Jose, CA. Hope to see you there! Read more.

Where Are They Now?

For Ben Dupre ’03, Social Justice is a Crucial Part of His Legal Practice

Ben Dupre ’03 continues to successfully take on consumer protection cases, helping hardworking, honest folks harmed by abusive and unlawful practices. Sometimes it can be an identity theft case. Sometimes it’s a mortgage servicing abuse case. They vary. In 2007, he gave up a successful career as a litigation associate at a mid-sized firm to start the Dupre Law Firm. He’s never looked back. Based in Santa Clara, he takes pride in spending time with his clients, getting to know them, and their story and how their lives have been impacted. Ben is also proud that he has an opportunity to serve those in our community that would not otherwise have access to the court system. Ben has obtained six figure jury awards and obtained some of the largest arbitration awards in the state of California.

While in law school, Ben participated in the Consumer area of the Law Center, under the supervision of attorney Scott Maurer. Even then, Ben relished any opportunity to legally defend the Law Center’s most vulnerable clients. That experience echoes in his practice today, as when he recently defended a senior citizen with a heart condition who received a bill from his credit card company listing over $5,000 in charges that he did not make. Prior to contacting Ben, his client tried explaining this to the company but it refused to listen and insisted that he had to pay. At the end of the successful case, his client said that “[Ben] was very kind, and listened to my story. I was able to get it all fixed up thanks to him.”

“One of my fondest memories at the Law Center is simply just working under the supervision of Scott Maurer. If it was not for him, I would not be doing what I do, making a difference in people’s lives (sometimes providing life changing results). I will always be grateful for Scott and his dedication to the Law Center,” says Ben. I still enjoy giving back by volunteering at the Law Center consumer clinic and helping out in any other way I can.”

Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center
1030 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126

Phone: (408) 288-7030 | Fax: (408) 288-3581
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