The Paul M. Hebert Law Center has appointed a director to develop its clinical program, which would provide students with greater experience and opportunities. Robert Lancaster, a law professor from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, said he is excited to be the director of the program and said the clinical program is important for law students. “This is a unique opportunity to build a program from the ground up,” he said. Lancaster will officially begin working July 1. He said he looks forward to leading the program because there is a commitment from the faculty and students to make this program successful. “We’re going to develop and grow the clinic in a very deliberate manner,” Lancaster said. The program will add at least four new faculty members and develop its current characteristics, Lancaster said. He said the program will benefit students by allowing them to work in many of the ways an actual lawyer would. The program will also help the community by providing legal services to those who could not otherwise afford the fees. Jack Weiss, Law Center chancellor, said Lancaster’s experience with clinical programs qualified him for the job. “Our faculty felt that [Lancaster] is a thoughtful, knowledgeable person when it comes to clinical legal programs,” Weiss said. Weiss said the clinic will have the opportunity to build off the experience of other programs. He said the Law Center’s program will take advantage of how other clinical programs are run. Lucy McGough, law professor, is on the committee helping govern the development of the clinical program. She said she feels the committee found a great leader in Lancaster. “We wanted the best person we could get for the position,” McGough said. “We were and are all delighted.” McGough said she is confident the students and faculty will endorse the newly developing program. Weiss is currently working to obtain funding for the program, including money for renovation of classroom space, additional faculty and personnel and other needs. The request for money was not included in the University’s budget submitted to the state. Weiss said he is working to clear up any confusion the LSU System might have concerning how important the funding is for the clinical legal program. “It’s our goal to establish a model program that will bring regional and national recognition to the University,” Weiss said. “We need the additional funding.”
—-Contact Sean Griffin at [email protected]