accessible

Bridging the Legal Divide: Innovative Programs Aim to Make Law School Accessible for Rural and Low-Income Students

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Rural communities and low-income individuals often face significant obstacles in pursuing a legal education, as rising tuition costs and changes to admission testing compound existing disparities. The question remains: What does it take today to become a lawyer in the United States, and who can access that opportunity? With tuition at law schools surging, the American Bar Association (ABA) reports that graduates often exit with an average debt exceeding $145,000. For many aspiring lawyers from rural or economically challenged backgrounds, such financial burdens can be disqualifying. Bill Adams, managing director of ABA accreditation and legal … Read more

California Jury Awards $7.4 Million to Disabled Professor After 7-Year Battle for Accessible Housing

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Los Angeles, CA – A federal jury awarded Dr. Emma Adams, a paraplegic and Southern California college professor, $7.4 million in damages for violations of the Fair Housing Act by AQUA 388 Community Association, AQUA Maintenance Corporation, and FirstService Residential California LLC. The verdict, reached on December 19, 2024, includes $7 million in compensatory damages and $400,000 in punitive damages. Dr. Adams, who utilizes a powered wheelchair for mobility, faced significant challenges after purchasing a condominium at the AQUA towers in Long Beach, which consist of 556 units and nearly a thousand parking spaces. Despite … Read more

California Governor Signs New Bill Making College More Accessible in West Valley Mission District

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A significant educational reform is set to impact students in the West Valley Mission Community College District as Governor Gavin Newsom has approved a new measure to provide tuition waivers more effectively. The recently signed AB 3158, spearheaded by State Assemblymember Marc Berman and enacted into law on September 24, specifically targets local students, facilitating easier access to free education beginning January 1, 2025. Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, the West Valley Mission Community College District encompasses several affluent communities including Saratoga, Los Gatos, and Santa Clara. Previously, students residing … Read more

Nationally recognized legal expert Professor Nora Freeman Engstrom delves into the intricacies of tort law and strives for a transparent, accessible, and equitable civil justice system

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Palo Alto, California – Professor Nora Freeman Engstrom is an esteemed expert in tort law and legal ethics. With a focus on the day-to-day workings of the tort system, she examines its interaction with alternative compensation methods like no-fault automobile insurance and the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Professor Engstrom’s extensive research also delves into trial practice, complex litigation, attorney advertising, and what she terms “settlement mills” – personal injury law firms that advertise heavily and process claims on a mass scale. In recent years, Engstrom’s projects have shifted toward improving access to justice. She explores … Read more