FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROOKLYN LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS TO SPEND SPRING BREAK IN HURRICANE-RAVAGED GULF COAST

BROOKLYN - MARCH 6, 2006 - In just a few days, 18 students from Brooklyn Law School will travel to Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, spending their spring break volunteering in a variety of legal areas including criminal justice, housing, immigration, labor, and FEMA claims.

They will be a part of a group of 500 students in 23 cities in six states, all organized through the Student Hurricane Network to address the many legal issues that continue to face the Gulf Coast region after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The Student Hurricane Network is an organization that seeks to mobilize law students from across the country to ensure justice in the relief, recovery, and rebuilding of the Gulf region. Brooklyn Law School is one of 51 member-schools.

"In the wake of Katrina, the most vulnerable members of society have been plagued by pervasive and systemic legal problems," said Morgan Williams, a Tulane Law Student and Student Hurricane Network Co-founder. "Attention has already begun to drift away, but some of the most complex legal issues still linger, including complex class action litigation, property claims, and the protection of voting rights in the upcoming municipal elections. As law students, we have a unique opportunity to help."

Brooklyn Law School students have the opportunity to experience first-hand the major legal issues created by the storms and the government's response to it. Along with articles and journal entries, the students will report these experiences in a community forum in early April.

"This work is so important because the work of rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf Coast is the work of rebuilding the country," said BLS student coordinator Kesav Wable, a first year student. "The Gulf Coast will need our help for a long time."

BLS students traveling to the hurricane-ravaged region held a fundraiser on February 28th to commemorate Mardi Gras and the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The event, which featured food donated by area businesses and live jazz, raised more than $1,400 towards travel costs for the spring break trip.

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