Lee M. Branson
Assistant Director
Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs
Harvard Law School   

"I'm sure I learned as much about life and the law in America this week as I did all the rest of my first year of law school," claimed one of our Harvard Law School students after a trip to New Orleans. Each of our 129 students and seven staff who have traveled to the Gulf Coast since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has had a unique experience. The Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs has arranged for students to travel on one-week trips by coordinating placements with the Student Hurricane Network. Additionally, during our winter term students have done clinical work for the month of January, either splitting their time between Washington, DC, and Biloxi through a partnership with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and the Mississippi Center for Justice, or working in New Orleans with legal services agencies.

Volunteers included 1Ls who at first worried they didn't know what they were doing but in the end gained a great sense of accomplishment. In performing what may have seemed a relatively easy task like helping a client file a bankruptcy petition, many students learned a practical skill that also had a great impact on one person's future. Other students were frustrated by their time spent in the Gulf Coast. Expecting to go and save the world in one week, they found an entire legal system in disarray. Several were disappointed when they couldn't solve every problem during their visit, and were exasperated at seeing so many people in need. Despite their frustration, I told them that there was still something to be learned—how much work needs to be done, how much change needs to be made so that the law can protect people in the future, how lucky we are that we have so many resources. The most satisfying experiences were those that combined very big picture, theoretical legal work with on-the-ground contact with victims of the storms.

When I accompanied students on a recent trip, I couldn't believe how much our presence was appreciated. Gratitude wasn't limited to the volunteer work alone: Gulf Coast residents were constantly thanking us for coming to eat, shop, and listen to their stories. I felt proud to say that HLS has put amazing resources into this effort to support student and staff travel over the past two years.  I am humbled and inspired to see that our students are getting as much or even more out of the experience than they are giving.