A team of graduate students partnered with the Arkansas Public Policy Panel (APPP) to conduct research determining the feasibility of a public interest law firm in Arkansas.
University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service students Elaine Frigon of Pine Bluff, Ark., Luke Frauenthal of Little Rock, Ark., Traci Johnson of Beech Grove, Ind., and Andy Lovley of Boston, Mass., spent the past school year interviewing industry leaders and surveying lawyers, non-profit organizations, and advocates, both in and out of the state, to determine if a public interest law firm could sustain itself in Arkansas.
The Arkansas Public Policy Panel is an advocacy group that brings together the concerns of groups across the state.
“It would be invaluable for our organization, other non-profits across the state and individuals from every walk of life to have greater access to legal services,” says APPP Policy Director John Whiteside. “To build a robust and long-term financially sustainable non-profit legal organization that could pursue legal advocacy not based on what is profitable but whose only guiding principle would be to do what is best for the state of Arkansas, would truly be a great and historic achievement for our state. We dream big; we know it will be a daunting task but we know there are very few things that would benefit the health of our democracy, our environment and the rights of every citizen.”
The UACS team conducted a study concerning unmet needs in Arkansas that could be changed through impact cases. Data was collected related to the potential firm’s case focus, along with information regarding how a public interest law firm could be sustainable. The team made final recommendations regarding development, fundraising, and potential law firm models for replication in Arkansas.
The findings will be presented on Thursday, April 24th at 6:00 PM.
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