McGeorge Community Legal Services – Sacramento, CA

Student-Led Legal Aid and Community Advocacy

McGeorge Community Legal Services (CLS) is the on-campus clinical teaching program of the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California. Operating much like a teaching hospital, CLS provides high-quality, free legal assistance to low-income individuals in the Greater Sacramento area while training the next generation of lawyers. Under the strict supervision of experienced faculty attorneys, certified law students handle real cases, representing clients in administrative hearings and state and federal courts. This model allows the clinic to serve those who would otherwise be unable to afford private counsel, bridging the ‘justice gap’ in the local community.

Specialized Legal Clinics

The program is divided into several specialized clinics, each focusing on a critical area of need. Clients work with students who are eager to apply their academic knowledge to real-world problems. The primary on-campus clinics include:

• Immigration Law Clinic: Providing representation for non-citizens in removal defense, asylum cases, and applications for relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and U Visas for crime victims.
• Bankruptcy Clinic: Assisting individuals drowning in debt with Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings to discharge unsecured debts and achieve a fresh start.
• Elder and Health Law Clinic: Advocating for seniors (age 60+) in matters related to Social Security, Medicare/Medi-Cal, elder abuse prevention, and powers of attorney.
• Homeless Advocacy Clinic: Removing legal barriers to housing for unhoused individuals, including the expungement of past criminal records and defense against citations.

Award-Winning Service

The impact of McGeorge Community Legal Services is widely recognized. The clinic was honored with the ‘Heroes of Human Services’ award by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, highlighting its vital role in the social safety net. By handling hundreds of cases annually, the clinic not only educates students but also secures housing, financial stability, and safety for the community’s most vulnerable members.

Our students learn to apply legal theory to practice, developing professional skills while delivering quality pro bono representation to underserved community members.

The clinics are housed in a dedicated facility on the McGeorge School of Law campus in the Oak Park neighborhood. Services are generally provided by appointment only to ensure that every case receives the attention it deserves. For low-income residents needing to find an attorney but lacking the funds, McGeorge Community Legal Services offers a professional and compassionate legal lifeline.