There is that dreaded moment every student fears in his or her lifetime. It is that time right after graduation and just before that perfect nine-to-five job happens to fall perfectly into place. This is where Melissa Malott, Sarah Helvey, Kathryn Peacock and Mitch found themselves this time one year ago.
All four had recently graduated from the UW Law School and were looking at different options and job opportunities that would hopefully employ them in the near future.
With minimal experience and nothing more than change in their pockets, the four young and ambitious friends decided to start their own law firm in Madison. They titled their business \Community Justice Inc.""
They decided their law firm would provide direct legal services and policy development advisory to low-income individuals in the community. The four saw a need for low-income work because service for that type of law did not really exist.
""I think we're all idealistic and believe that you can use the legal system to assist people,"" said Mitch, who does not go by a last name.
Community Justice Inc. provides legal service for issues including landlord/tenant disputes, disability, mental health, employment, discrimination and family issues. They serve individuals and families who meet income guidelines set below the Federal guideline for poverty ($27,930 for individuals and $47,010 for a family of four).
Helvey said the four are ""living a dream"" that few people get to experience.
""There are perks to having independence-to be managing attorneys-and to be able to be in control of some of the decisions and the workplace environment,"" she said.
Community Justice Inc. is a non-profit organization and although their pay does not match that of some of their friends from law school, Mitch said the experience of working in their own firm gives them skills that can transfer anywhere.
""Our colleagues that have taken larger firm jobs, for instance, end up doing what a law clerk might do for the first couple of years ... maybe they have a nice salary. We get to go to court. We get to really have the front line experience,"" Mitch said. ""Plus, we get to come to work in tennis shoes.""
Nou Vang, a UW-Madison sophomore who volunteers at Community Justice Inc., loves the work environment.
""Everyone there is in his or her mid-20s [still all very young]. They provide a very welcoming atmosphere,"" Vang said. ""They make me feel like they are on the same page as me-someone who is still in college and learning.""
Their law office is located in the middle of a bustling and exciting downtown at 222 S. Hamilton St., just off Capitol Square. The fact that they are located in Madison was a big issue to consider when they started Community Justice Inc.
""Sometimes I think it feels in Madison that people who are concerned about social justice are kind of a dime a dozen here,"" Helvey said.
There were several initial concerns due to a lack of funding and space, Helvey said. But they pursued their dream because they knew they could make a difference.
""We knew Madison was a community that would support an organization like Community Justice Inc. We wouldn't be looked at as those radical left-wing attorneys trying to help the poor folk,"" Mitch said.
They receive constant referrals from places such as Legal Action of Wisconsin, a private government-funded legal service agency for a low-income individuals. Community Justice Inc. works hand-in-hand with different agencies around the area that, in some way or another, help low-income individuals. Mitch and Helvey both agree that Madison is a community that recognizes the need for this type of social service.
Community Justice has a staff consisting of about six or seven undergraduate volunteers who do tremendous work helping out the attorneys. Mitch encouraged people to get out and volunteer while they are still students to see what can be done to serve public interest. With the help of these volunteers, Community Justice Inc. has been a thriving success-and has a bright future ahead.
""I'd like to see some other law students come and eventually work here and start off their practice getting great experience helping people out with their law degree,"" Mitch said.
After all, that is where he started his work-volunteering.
As one of the UW-Madison volunteers, Vang is at the offices roughly four hours per week. His duties range from taking phone calls, doing intakes, going to the law library and county court house to find books and relevant court cases to filing data and writing letters.
""The fact that I can provide assistance in some way-small or big-to ease the burden of someone else is satisfying,"" Vang said.
Through volunteers, interns and full-time attorneys, Community Justice Incorporated gets the job done.
Do the limited resources and non-profit aspect make it harder for these people to do their jobs? Maybe. ""But morally,"" Mitch added, ""it just seems like the right thing to do.""
