Nebraska Law Civil Clinic

07/16/2022

https://www.1011now.com/2022/07/15/tenant-assistance-project-adds-resource-prevent-evictions-long-term/

The Tenant Assistance Project started with volunteer attorneys representing clients for free when they had time after the eviction moratorium ended, but now there are lawyers available every day.

06/01/2022

Summer Civil Clinic students Ivy Lutz and Miranda Cannon had their inaugural court appearances as senior certified student attorneys this week!

02/14/2022

Civil Clinic students Alan Dugger and Mara Wilson, who are leading the Tenants' Rights Project in the Clinic this semester, testified before the Nebraska Legislature last week on two housing bills and an amendment: LB 1038 (aimed to limit the prevalence of unlawful fees taken from tenant security deposits), LB 1222 (proposed a series of improvements to the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Act), and AM 1747 (to help ensure rental assistance funds are made available to struggling Nebraskans). Senator Matt Hansen was the introducer of each piece of legislation.

02/04/2022

https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/students-get-rare-opportunity-with-state-supreme-court/

*“This is a hands-on opportunity to engage in appellate practice, which, as a student, is very uncommon. I'm very honored and humbled by this opportunity.”* — **Rachel Tomlinson Dick**, third-year law student

02/04/2022

The Tenant Assistance Project achieved a significant milestone this week, surpassing 1000 families assisted in Lancaster County since the program began! Kudos to all of the volunteer attorneys, student attorneys, law students, undgrad students, community volunteers, rental assistance agents, and program facilitators who have collectively dedicated an immeasurable amount of time and resources over the last 22 months to help keep Nebraska families housed.

02/04/2022

Civil Clinic students Deena Keilany and Alicia Christensen provided expert testimony before the Nebraska Legislature this week on LB 1051. LB 1051, introduced by Senator John Cavanaugh, would expand clean slate relief to more Nebraskans by permitting certain prior convictions to be set aside and sealed upon a showing that the individual had been rehabilitated and was no longer violating the law. This legislation is in line with other recent advancements by the legislature in this area that recognized giving Nebraskans an opportunity for a fresh start not only improves employability, but reduces recidivism, which helps to address our mass incarceration issues in Nebraska.

02/01/2022

White House and AG Recognize Tenant Assistance Project

The University of Nebraska College of Law’s Tenant Assistance Project was one of a few anti-eviction programs highlighted by the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice during a nationwide Jan. 28 webinar.

01/28/2022

Civil Clinic student Alan Dugger testified before the Nebraska Legislature on Thursday in support of LB 740. LB 740, introduced by Senator Wendy DeBoer, would provide renters a tax deduction on rent paid--similar to the tax deductions provided to homeowners for mortgage interest and property taxes paid. The aim is to provide a level of equity among Nebraska taxpayers. The bill received support from both tenant and landlord groups.

01/26/2022

The Civil Clinic is back in action assisting tenants through TAP! Spring Civil Clinic students Alan Dugger, Alicia Christensen, Mara Wilson, and Deena Keilany collectively assisted 7 households avoid eviction this morning!

Evictions are spiking once again, and help is needed more than ever. There are 76 eviction hearings scheduled for next week! Calling all attorneys, law students, and community volunteers - come help advocate for tenants facing eviction during the coldest time of the year. If you have been considering volunteering, or have not volunteered in a while - pull the trigger. You can sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d4fa8aa2ba4fb6-tenant5

12/08/2021

Joe Brownell, Director of the UNL Military and Veteran Student Success Center, presented the Fall Civil Clinic students with military challenge coins in recognition of their efforts in providing free legal assistance to several dozen veterans this semester while in Clinic.

11/19/2021

An extremely busy but also successful week at the Lancaster County courthouse for TAP, with as many as 30 evictions hearings set on a single day. Through their efforts, TAP law student and attorney volunteers and community partners were successful in assisting over two dozen families avoid what would have been immediate eviction and homelessness. Great job team!

11/04/2021

Professor Ryan Sullivan, Civil Clinic students Rachel Dick and Matt Dreher, and future Civil Clinic student Alicia Christensen made the trek to Douglas County yesterday morning to assist tenants in court, where the eviction docket was at the highest since the start of the pandemic. Nearly 20 TAP volunteers and facilitators showed up and pitched in to ensure everyone tenant who appeared had representation.

Great outcomes all around - no tenant who appeared and sought representation was evicted yesterday, and several were pre-qualified for rental assistance so they could stay housed long term.

Lawyers estimate there have been as many as 2,000 hearings through Douglas County in 2021 so far