The Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association (SCCTLA) recently presented a $7,000 check to Dean Donald J. Polden and Professor Cynthia A. Mertens, the Executive Director of the SCU Community Law Center (aka East San José Community Law Center). The SCCTLA named the Law Center as the beneficiary of its golf tournament, held this past summer. The funds will enable the Law Center to continue to provide free civil legal services to the underrepresented of Silicon Valley. Law students, working under the close supervision of trained clinicians, provide advice and representation to approximately 1,300 individuals per year.
Lawrence Ramirez, the president-elect of the SCCTLA, stated that the Law Center would be the recipient of the funds raised from next year’s golf tournament as well. There is a natural connection between the two entities: the SCCTLA strives to improve the trial bar and to provide links to the various constituents in the legal community, and the Law Center’s mission is to train law students in accordance with the legal profession’s highest ethical standards while serving those in need with competence, conscience and compassion through pro bono legal representation, advice and education. Many of the law students trained at the Law Center would like to become outstanding trial attorneys. Three of the practice areas within the Law Center (Consumer, Workers’ Compensation and Immigration) provide the students with actual trial and hearing experience.
The Law Center is especially grateful for the SCCTLA donation and would like to express thanks to the SCCTLA Golf Committee: Lawrence Ramirez, Robert Allard and Marion Whittaker, and to the Board of the SCCTLA. The Tournament Sponsors also deserve special thanks.
Written by Cynthia Mertens
