MCL is dedicated to providing a high-quality legal education in a community law school setting. Our mission is to cultivate graduates who embody professional excellence, integrity, and commitment to community service. We strive to produce graduates who excel in their legal careers, uphold the highest ethical standards, and contribute to society through their commitment to community service and social responsibility.
Many individuals face significant legal issues without knowing where to find help, and hiring a private attorney isn’t always an option. Transportation, work hours, and language can be barriers. The Community Legal Clinics at Monterey College of Law provide essential legal support to residents in these situations.
Our clinics offer free or low-cost services in English and Spanish. In the past year, we have responded to over 5,000 requests for assistance. We've conducted nearly 600 clinic appointments and mediated 340 cases, demonstrating our positive impact on the community. Supported by students, graduates, faculty, and staff, our clinics and mediation services through the Mandell Gisnet Center provide hundreds of hours of legal services annually. Local nonprofits often refer individuals to us, reflecting the growing demand for assistance.
MCL is dedicated to ensuring everyone can access legal help, regardless of their resources or background. Thank you for your support in this mission.
MCL's Community Legal Clinics provide an essential community service in Monterey County. With limited local resources for free or low-cost legal assistance, our clinics and workshops in English and Spanish fill an unmet need, making legal resources available to ALL residents.
In the past year, we've handled 5,138 calls for legal help, scheduled 598 clinic appointments, and our students and faculty mediators mediated 340 cases.
MCL students, graduates, faculty, and staff support our community through free or low-cost legal clinics (semester-long courses for students) and by offering free or low-cost mediation services through the Mandell Gisnet Center. Hundreds of hours of urgently needed legal services are contributed each year to assist people with various legal matters. Local nonprofits, agencies, governments, and organizations often refer individuals to us as a legal resource.
The need for these clinics is clear; MCL remains committed to providing everyone access to legal services.
Monterey College of Law offers Community Legal Clinics and Legal Workshops to hundreds of community members in Monterey County throughout the year. Our low-cost or free services are essential for providing opportunities for all residents to learn about the legal issues they face while self-representing. Community members often tell us that the information they receive in our clinics helps them navigate their legal matters. Their appreciation for our services confirms that our Community Legal Clinics and Legal Workshops help bridge the gap for underserved community members.
- Lety Perez, Monterey County
