Baylor Law’s Legal Clinics Declare May First Responders Month
WACO, Texas -
During the month of May, Baylor Law’s Legal Clinics are honoring the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of McLennan County’s law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services by providing free simple estate planning services for active or retired full-time first responders and their spouses. Under the banner of ‘Protecting the Assets of Those Who Protect Us,’ Baylor Law’s Legal Clinics will offer these services free of charge to police, firefighters, and EMTs living or working in McLennan County.
Baylor Law’s Legal Clinics will be setting appointments for personalized estate planning sessions throughout the month of May. First responders or their spouses can call 254-710-4244 or email LegalClinics@baylor.edu to schedule an appointment beginning on Monday, April 26, 2021. Space is limited to the first 30 respondents. The socially distanced sessions will be held at Baylor Law in the Sheila & Walter Umphrey Law Center, 1114 S. University Parks Drive in Waco, following CDC guidelines.
“Our front-line first responders have done so much, especially over the past year, to protect and serve our communities,” said Dean Brad Toben. “Baylor Law has a deep appreciation for the service that first responders offer, and it is an honor for us to once again serve those who might not otherwise be able to afford legal services”
Under the close supervision of Baylor Law Professor Tom Featherston, law students draft wills for first responders. The clinic also prepares powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney, declarations of guardian, and directives to physicians.
“Our faculty, staff, and students are eager to once again be able to give back to our local first responders,” stated clinic director Josh Borderud. “First Responders Month is a win-win situation for us here at Baylor Law. Our students, who greatly appreciate the sacrifices made by our first responders, gain valuable hands-on experience in drafting wills, while the first responders receive high-quality legal documents, free of charge.”
May 4 marks International Firefighters Day, May 9-15 is National Police Week, and May 16-22 is National EMS Week.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ed Nelson, Director of Marketing & Communications
EMAIL: Ed_Nelson@Baylor.edu
PHONE: 254-710-6681
ABOUT BAYLOR LAW
Established in 1857, Baylor Law was one of the first law schools in Texas and one of the first west of the Mississippi River. Today, the school has more than 7,600 living alumni. It is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Baylor Law has a record of producing outstanding lawyers, many of whom decide upon a career in public service. Baylor Law boasts two governors, members or former members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, two former directors of the FBI, U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, justices of the Texas Supreme Court and members of the Texas Legislature among its notable alumni. In its law specialties rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Baylor Law’s trial advocacy program as number two in the magazine’s 2021 edition of "America’s Best Graduate Schools." The National Jurist ranks Baylor Law as one of the "Best School for Practical Training," and one of the 'Best Law School Facilities' in the country. The Business Insider places Baylor Law among the top 50 law schools in the nation. Baylor Law received the 2015 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award, making it only the third law school in the nation to be honored with the award since the award's inception in 1984. Learn more at baylor.edu/law
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more at baylor.edu
