School of Law's Legal Clinics Get "Suite Refresh"

The University of San Diego School of Law’s Legal Clinics, located in Alcala West’s Barcelona building, underwent a successful “suite refresh,” according to Myles Morris, a project administrator for planning, design and construction at USD.

“The renovation featured a mix of accessibility, security and finish upgrades,” Morris said. “As soon as you exit the elevator, you will notice a new entrance featuring storefront glazing, updated signage and a new automated ADA-accessible door. Through the entrance you will find a refreshed suite with a modern law firm feel.”

The renovation, courtesy of generous in-kind support of Fish and Richardson, LLP in Del Mar, Calif., creates an inviting environment to welcome pro bono clients, student interns and staff attorneys to the 10 direct-client-service clinics located in Alcala West.

In addition to new office furnishings, the law school further enhanced the space with new paint, carpet and structural upgrades to make the facility more accessible for mobility-challenged clients. Creating a professional legal office for clients to visit is just the first step taken by the clinics in order to improve the overall educational capacity and client experience at USD.

The legal clinics have received funding for a new case management system. The new system allows lawyers and interns to access client records and information through a secure cloud-based data-storage-system providing the clinic’s legal teams increased flexibility and functionality to work on cases and manage client’s records with complete security, efficiency, and accuracy. The new case management system will be an essential upgrade for the clinics; the system will also improve communication between service providers and clinical clients.

Thanks to key supporters, USD’s legal clinics are moving forward to better serve the ever-growing needs of the San Diego community, including U.S. military veterans, immigration applicants, small business entrepreneurs, and state and federal tax payers — to name just a few.

The legal clinics’ “suite refresh” is one of many projects done as part of USD Facilities Management’s ongoing Renaissance Plan with featured projects as well as overall maintenance items on campus.

— Ryan T. Blystone

USD School of Law’s Law Development and Donor Relations staff contributed to this story.