Small legal services fee can do immense good

TO THE EDITOR:

Within two weeks of moving to Chapel Hill to begin a Ph.D. program at UNC, I found myself asking friends for a “good lawyer” instead of a “good restaurant.”

A dispute with my landlord had turned into a full-blown lawsuit, and I was in need of some serious legal help. A private attorney I met with quoted a $500 an hour fee that I couldn’t afford, at which point he suggested Student Legal Services (SLS).

Because I had paid the Student Legal Services fee, I was able to use SLS for no additional charge. The SLS attorney filed a counterclaim, prepared me for the trial, and even represented me in court. After cross-examination of the landlord by my attorney, the judge not only dropped the case but even ordered the landlord to pay me money instead.

I have learned that an 85-cent student increase for SLS fees is up for a student referendum. I am strongly urging every student to carefully consider the implications of voting against it.

Students tend to be young and on their own, which makes them legally vulnerable, and legal problems can sneak up on them when they least expect it. SLS is committed not only to fighting for justice but also to empowering students through legal knowledge and awareness.

For these reasons I am advocating that the students approve the 85-cent increase in our student legal service fee.


Kumi Smith
Graduate Student
Epidemiology

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