TUSCALOOSA, Ala., August 13, 2013 -The University of Alabama School of Law has added a new legal clinic specializing in foreclosure issues. The clinic will offer legal assistance to individuals in Lamar, Fayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Greene, Hale and Bibb country 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. In awarding these funds to the law school, Attorney General Luther Strange stated that “The Tornado Relief Assistance Program that The University of Alabama School of Law created after the April 2011 tornadoes demonstrates the Law School’s success in aiding low-income and rural communities during a time of crisis.” “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.”
The law school, with the generous support of the attorney general’s office has now staffed and opened the Foreclosure Relief Clinic and has begun accepting new clients. 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.
Hugh Lee, Director of the Foreclosure Relief Clinic and the Elder Law Clinic, says, “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. 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 Alabama Law’s clinic program to eight. Other clinics offering free legal assistance to the community are:
If you have any questions please contact Cynthia Almond (calmond@law.ua.edu), Caryn Roseman (croseman@law.ua.edu), or call (205) 348-4960.
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