BATON ROUGE La. – Law clinics at universities across Louisiana fear a state senator’s proposal could force them to close, leaving their impoverished clients without free legal services in cases ranging from child support to water pollution.
Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, said he’s heard those concerns and plans to put limits on the legislation.
Both sides acknowledge the measure is aimed at the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, which Adley and business lobbyists say has driven jobs from the state. The clinic’s supporters argue its lawyers help community groups hold state and federal regulators accountable to make sure they comply with pollution laws.
As it now stands, the bill scheduled for a Wednesday hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee would prevent all university law clinics from challenging government agencies in court, suing individuals for damages or making constitutional claims. That would limit access to justice for thousands of low-income Louisianians and prevent law schools from providing students with a complete legal education, legal experts argue.
The proposal comes at a time when law clinics nationwide find themselves under fire from legislatures, courts and industry interest groups. Environment-focused clinics, which tend to ruffle the feathers of businesses, are taking most of the heat.
Adley said he offered his proposal after chemical and oil industry lobbyists complained to him about lawsuits brought by the Tulane environmental clinic, including a suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state regulators that would require them to enforce clean air regulations in the Baton Rouge area.
Dan Borne, president of the Louisiana Chemical Association, criticized the Tulane clinic as having a “wanton disregard for the economic well-being of the state” and a “clearly anti-development agenda” that he said has scared away millions of investment dollars.
