The Public Law Center (TPLC) began operation in January 1988 as a joint project of the Tulane and Loyola Schools of Law, with the aid of monies from the US Department of Education. TPLC is housed at Tulane and handles matters in Baton Rouge at the state legislature and administrative rulemaking proceeding before state agencies for traditionally under-represented groups, such as the elderly and the handicapped.
In its role as a clinical legal education program, TPLC staff and students represent disadvantaged clients in the legislative and administrative processes of government, appearing at the legislature and before state agencies to present the bills and proposed regulations they have researched and drafted for client groups.
In addition to and separate from its clinical legal education program, TPLC conducts international training events, both domestically and abroad, for legislative drafting staff, public officials, and non-governmental organizations. These areas of activity constitute the Center's mission-to educate law students, to represent disadvantaged clients, and to provide international training that supports the global movement toward democratization.
TPLC offers two clinics to second- and third-year students--one that focuses on legislative advocacy and another on administrative advocacy. The courses in which students enroll to pursue this clinical work are Legislation, Legislative Process, or Administrative Advocacy.
As an integral part of its clinical legal education program, the Center functions as legislative counsel for numerous clients who are traditionally under-represented in the legislative and administrative processes of government. TPLC's clientele of elderly and disabled, children and families, minorities, and others includes such community organizations as All Congregations Together (ACT), Agenda for Children, the American Association of Retired Persons, Citizens for Quality Nursing Home Care, Covenant House, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Paralyzed Veterans of America, and others.
For more information on the PLC go to their Home Page.
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