University of Arizona Law’s Education Advocacy Clinic Awarded with Grant from the Marshall Foundation
The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law’s Education Advocacy Clinic, which works to protect the rights of public school students by providing information, support, and legal services to children in Tucson's K-12 schools, has received a grant from the Marshall Foundation to expand access to justice for children with disabilities.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this support from the Marshall Foundation,” said Associate Clinical Professor of Law and Clinic Director Diana Newmark. “The Marshall Foundation’s generous support enables the Clinic to expand our advocacy for families in the Tucson area and deepen our students’ knowledge and skills in disability law.”
The Education Advocacy Clinic focuses on serving children who are involved in juvenile delinquency, child welfare, or immigration matters. Clinic legal services include representation in school discipline and special education matters. Students from the JD, Master of Legal Studies (MLS), and BA in Law programs in the clinic work together on education advocacy cases, under the supervision of Newmark, to provide legal services at no cost to children in Tucson schools.
“As a result of the Marshall Foundation’s support, the Clinic will be able to access specialized research tools designed specifically for special education legal issues, enhancing our students’ ability to research the unique issues that arise in their casework,” said Newmark.
The grant will expand the impact of the Education Advocacy Clinic by formalizing and deepening its partnership with Disability Rights Arizona (DRAZ). DRAZ is the protection and advocacy agency for Arizona and a non-profit law firm that provides no-cost legal representation in the area of special education. The grant will allow DRAZ special education attorneys to collaborate directly with Clinic students on a range of legal matters, providing valuable mentorship and enhancing the quality and reach of the Clinic’s services.
“A closer collaboration with Disability Rights Arizona will improve the Clinic’s ability to advocate for students in two key ways,” said Newmark. “First, our organizations will work together to develop trainings and materials specifically designed to address the needs of students in the Tucson area. Our hope is that this will empower families and caregivers to advocate for their children’s needs, even if we are unable to provide direct representation. Second, our students will be able to connect directly with the experts in education and disability law at Disability Rights Arizona, gaining key opportunities to learn from statewide leaders in this area of law and deepening our students’ knowledge.”
“This grant from the Marshall Foundation is a powerful investment in justice for children with disabilities,” said J.J. Rico ('01), CEO of Disability Rights Arizona. “By partnering with the Education Advocacy Clinic, our attorneys will collaborate directly with law students to defend the rights of K–12 students in Tucson’s public schools. This partnership strengthens both legal advocacy and the next generation of civil rights attorneys. We’re proud to join forces with the Clinic in this critical and much-needed work.”
The Marshall Foundation awarded $1,202,000 in grants to 35 Pima County nonprofits and University of Arizona programs and scholarships that advance education, expand opportunity and strengthen communities across Southern Arizona. Learn more about the Marshall Foundation here.