TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama School of Law has added a public law clinic specializing in foreclosure issues.
The clinic will offer legal assistance to individuals in Lamar, Fayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Greene, Hale and Bibb counties who are in foreclosure, or who face the threat of foreclosure, on their home.
The Office of the Attorney General of the state of Alabama provided the law school with $210,870 in funding from the National Mortgage Funding Settlement Program to establish the clinic.
“The Tornado Relief Assistance Program that The University of Alabama School of Law created after the April 2011 tornado demonstrates the Law School’s success in aiding low-income and rural communities during a time of crisis,” said Attorney General Luther Strange in awarding the funding. “Likewise, the Foreclosure Relief Project will have a lasting impact by helping homeowners in Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties avoid foreclosure while educating future lawyers.”
Current law students, under the supervision of a full-time staff attorney and a part-time supervising attorney, will interview and advise the clients on the various options and alternatives to foreclosure. Such alternatives include loan modifications, workouts, forbearance, short sales and deeds. The clinic is now taking referrals, but it will formally open Aug. 19.
“We are so pleased to have the opportunity to serve consumers facing foreclosure, as there are very limited resources currently available to help them with their housing crisis,” said Hugh Lee, director of the Foreclosure Relief Clinic and the Elder Law Clinic. “Because foreclosure is generally a non-judicial process, consumers often do not understand how a lawyer can help resolve their situation.
“Furthermore, because attorney’s fees are not generally available and most consumers are facing foreclosure due to a financial crisis, few can afford counsel to help them. Thus, even those who try to seek counsel, often go without help.”
The foreclosure relief clinic addition expands The University of Alabama School of Law’s clinic program to eight. Other clinics offering free legal assistance to the community are:
- Capital Defense
- Community Development
- Criminal Defense
- Mediation Law
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Law
- Civil Law
If you have questions, contact Cynthia Lee Almond (calmond@law.ua.edu), Caryn Roseman (croseman@law.ua.edu) or phone 205/348-4960.
Contact
Helen White Cauthen, communications specialist, UA School of Law, 205/348-5195, hcauthen@law.ua.edu