Wills Clinic Held at Mercer Law School for Local First Responders

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The Young Lawyer's Division of the State Bar of Georgia hosted a Wills Clinic for First Responders at Mercer Law School on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. Katie Willett, LAW '10, helped start this program in 2013 with Brandon Elijah. The clinic included volunteer services from 17 attorneys and over 40 Mercer Law School students. The attorneys logged over 80 hours of pro bono estate planning services to 34 first responders and spouses from Bibb and Monroe County. Among other contributions, Mercer Law student volunteers served as witnesses for 102 estate-planning documents that were drafted and executed.

Third-year student Liz Phrampus said, “Generally Mercer Law offers a number of activities that encourage community service through various student organizations and class events. The Wills Clinic provided an excellent opportunity to see a will in person, observe the interaction between an attorney and their client, and help first responders secure estate plans for their loved ones to follow. I definitely left feeling as if I had given back to men and women that risk each day keeping us safe. The activity speaks to the way the Mercer culture thrives, through service to others.”

Jasmin Severino, a first-year student, agreed that the clinic was a great opportunity to give back, “Giving back to our community through events like the Wills Clinic really shows the level of integrity and compassion of Mercer Law students and faculty. Being able to gain first hand experience, while helping our community in a legal environment is truly a priceless and rewarding experience.”

To date, the program has served over 152 first responders throughout the sate who have received 456 estate planning documents.