Law Clinic in the News

Current Cases

March 2008

Clinic Represents Convicted Felons in Voting Rights Case
Convicted felons who are African-American, claim that Washington’s disenfranchisement provision runs afoul of the federal Voting Rights Act, which prohibits any law that has the effect of disparately impacting the voting rights of racial minorities.  For over ten years the Clinic has represented these felons.

Foreclosure Rescue Scams
There is an entire industry of bottom-fishing “investors” who seek to acquire property at substantial discounts to fair market value. This is a legal activity, unless and until such “investors” cross the line by holding themselves out as advisors and fiduciaries, using a promise to help as a scheme acquire property. In Washington, if you promise a man drowning in debt a financial life preserver, and subsequently throw him an anchor that takes him under, be prepared to pay the price. Clinic students saved a man's home who fell into such a trap.

Man Presumed Dead is Actually Alive
Widow asked to repay $90,000 she received in Social Security widow's benefits after her husband is found to be alive.

Cases Under Appeal

January 2007
Landlord Must Protect Tenant's Property in Eviction

The Washington Appellate Court in Spokane ruled that a landlord who evicts a tenant must store the tenant’s personal property in a reasonably secure place. In a ground-breaking decision, the Court addressed an ambiguity in the law regarding the landlord's duty to store tenant's property.

Resolved Cases

March 2007
Jury Finds Russian Immigrant's Rights Violated

A federal court jury found that Bowen Property Management and two of its employees violated the civil rights of four Russian immigrants. This complicated case involved charges of bribery, extortion, and the misuse of government subsidized housing, and was decided in US District Court.