Southwestern Law School is collaborating with the Los Angeles LGBT Center to launch the Asylum Law Clinic in Fall 2024 to provide the next generation of lawyers with the skills to dismantle barriers to asylum.
The collaboration was initiated by John Heilman law professor at Southwestern, who has a long history of connecting his students with the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Legal Services Department.
Andrea Ramos, director of the Immigration Law Clinic at Southwestern, said the Asylum Law Clinic is a huge step in training law students to advocate effectively for marginalized groups.
“Our primary goals are to empower students and integrate trauma-informed community lawyering into their practice,” said Tess Feldman, Los Angeles LGBT Center attorney and instructor for the Asylum Law Clinic. “By the end of the program, students will be ready to represent asylum seekers before immigration judges and asylum officers across the United States.”
The clinic will begin with four students who will assist with asylum applications and other legal matters, including employment authorization documents, travel permits, DACA applications and adjustment of status applications for those granted asylum.
Through this clinic, Southwestern and the Los Angeles LGBT Center are providing legal defense and creating invaluable educational experiences for law students.
Since 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond.
Today, the center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy.
