Wills for the Arts was a locally sponsored program to provide simple estate planning services to local artists and employees of performing arts nonprofit organizations. Conceived and hosted by Williams Mullen, who were then joined by Pender & Coward and Kauffman & Canoles, these local law firms in the Hampton Roads area requested that Regent Law students work with them to provide basic support for the lawyers’ estate planning services to the local artists. The clinics were held at the Virginia Arts Festival’s theater at 440 Bank Street in Norfolk on Wednesday, March 6. The day consisted of two clinics: 9a-12 and 1-4p, for a total of eight half-day slots to fill with student volunteers, some who assisted all day.
Falon Stimpson and Ilinka Robinson, who were students in the Wills, Trusts & Estates course in the fall at Regent Law served in this program. Both students were very pleased with not only the knowledge they had gained, but how they could use it to serve the public. Robin Ireland and Hannah Puder, two students enrolled in the MA Law program here at Regent also participated to provide administrative support to the attorneys.
Shane Smith of Williams Mullen wrote to Professor Kathleen McKee who assisted in organizing on the law school end, and who received this note on behalf of all the students who helped, “Thank you! again for assisting with the Wills for the Arts clinic today. Because of the generous gift of your time, we were able to provide estate planning documents for 32 employees and artists from six arts organizations. Simply put, we couldn’t have done it without you!”
This service likely provided some peace of mind in advance planning for at least 30 families who needed it
Being invited to participate in the Wills for the Arts clinic was a privilege. Serving the community is strongly encouraged as part of our education at Regent University.
ReplyDeleteI gained valuable insight into the attorney-client relationship in what some may say is an uncomfortable preparation process. Who wants to prepare for one's demise? However, developing an estate plan is essential in communicating your directions for your future needs in the event you are not able to make those directions known. By preparing your estate plan in advance, it helps relieve your family of the burden to make difficult decisions on your behalf.
The attorneys I observed assisted their clients with compassion while securing their client’s estate plan exactly as the client directed.
The clients were very appreciative for the clinic and expressed relief to have their estate plan completed, knowing in the case of an emergency or their demise, their directives would be observed. Assisting in the process of securing a client’s final instructions was very gratifying. Robin S. Ireland
Great program!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great event!
ReplyDelete