Marquette Law School program provides legal services to nonprofits

Marquette University Law School has established a new program to provide pro bono legal assistance to nonprofit organizations. The Milwaukee Legal Initiative for Nonprofit Corporations [M-LINC] is the only source of its kind in the state, connecting attorneys and law students willing to donate their time and expertise with charities unable to afford legal help.

M-LINC facilitates pro bono legal services for eligible nonprofit corporations and hosts educational programs on nonprofit legal issues. In addition, M-LINC hosts a clinical program each semester that brings together the expertise of students and faculty from Marquette’s Law School, College of Business Administration, College of Professional Studies and J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication to benefit the multi-faceted needs of a nonprofit client.

“Marquette Law School is uniquely positioned to provide this link among attorneys, law students and nonprofits in need. Exposing students to different examples of public service in the legal profession is an important part of our mission,” said Marquette Law School Dean Joseph D. Kearney.

Attorneys and law firms throughout the state have signed on to assist with clients as needed. Law students from Marquette participate in administering the pro bono legal services program, helping staff a legal assistance phone line, assisting volunteer attorneys with research on pro bono cases and working in the nonprofit clinic, all under the direction of Attorney Karin Werner and an advisory council.

“M-LINC fills a unique need in the community, as many nonprofits simply do not have the budget for legal assistance.  Some organizations need only brief advice sessions, while others have more complex cases that require full legal representation,” said Werner.

M-LINC has secured funding through 2010 with a lead grant from the Helen Bader Foundation and additional assistance from the Pro Bono Initiative Fund of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Nonprofit corporations may inquire about pro bono legal services by calling M-LINC at (414) 288-6331 or at (888) 530-5462.