About Us

History

The Community Law Center began in 1993 as a volunteer effort of La Raza Law Students Association at Santa Clara University to help day laborers collect wages they were due.

Based on the documented need and the students' success, the program received grant support to provide a full range of employment and immigration services in the fall of 1994.

In 1995 the Center began offering assistance with consumer matters, and in 1997 expanded to help low-income entrepreneurs with their legal needs.

Today the Community Law Center continues its work in all these areas.

Overview of the Law Center

For the past twelve years the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center has provided pro bono advice and representation in several areas including workers' rights, workers' compensation, consumer rights and immigration rights.

Poverty-stricken minorities and immigrants make up the vast majority of clients of the KGACLC, which is the civil clinical component of the Santa Clara University School of Law. It utilizes law students working under attorney supervision to provide free legal services.

This model achieves two goals: (1) it allows law students to receive excellent training in the handling of cases involving real clients, with close supervision, allowing them to become better attorneys, and (2) it provides very low income clients with representation they would not have otherwise.

The utilization of law students permits the Center to represent more clients than would a legal services program solely staffed by attorneys, and encourages legal professionals to consider a career serving the public interest.

Many of our graduates remain committed to providing pro bono services throughout their legal career.

The Law Center gave advice to approximately 800 individuals in 2007 and had 1,200 attend our community workshops.

Directions

Location: 1030 The Alameda San Jose, CA 95126

Directions from SCU: take The Alameda towards downtown San Jose/drive for about 2 miles/The Law Center is on the corner of The Alameda and S. Keeble Avenue.

From the Peninsula: Take 280 south/880 North/The Alameda towards downtown San Jose/drive for about 1 mile/The Law Center is on the corner of The Alameda and S. Keeble Avenue.

From Gilroy: Take 101 north/Exit Alum Rock/Santa Clara Street going towards downtown San Jose/drive for about 3 miles (Santa Clara Street turns into The Alameda)/The Law Center is on the corner of The Alameda and S. Keeble Avenue.

The Center is located on Bus Routes 22, 64, 77 and 12.

Mission Statement

The Community Law Center educates law students in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards by serving individuals and communities in need with competence, conscience and compassion, through pro bono legal representation and education.

Implementation of Mission Statement:

With the support of Santa Clara University School of Law, the legal community, community organizations, foundations, governmental entities and dedicated individuals, the Community Law Center:

• Provides pro bono legal representation to low income individuals in the areas of immigration, small business, consumer and workers rights, and helps low income individuals understand and enforce their legal rights.
• Educates law students through client representation under the direct supervision of experienced attorneys.
• Increases community awareness about workers rights, consumer rights, immigration rights and small business opportunities.
• Effects social change by working with legislators and law reform committees to effectuate changes in the law to improve the rights of low-income individuals.