蜜桃影像AV School of Law鈥檚 American Indian Wills Clinic is the recipient of a $90,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development that will help to increase access to essential legal services for rural Oklahomans.
The grant funds will expand the AIWC鈥檚 services through two key initiatives: establishment of an Advanced AIWC & Rural Services Expo and seating a clinical fellow in the AIWC. The funds will ultimately support the AIWC鈥檚 efforts to increase capacity to serve rural clients, provide more comprehensive estate planning services to clients in rural communities, strengthen relationships with tribal governments and community organizations, and create a sustainable model for ongoing rural legal services.
Much of the AIWC鈥檚 work is done in nonmetro counties of Oklahoma. Fifty-nine of Oklahoma鈥檚 77 counties are designated as nonmetro counties. Thirty-one of Oklahoma鈥檚 38 federally recognized tribal governments are headquartered in rural counties. The need for the services provided by the AIWC in rural tribal communities is significant and growing. Many of the Clinic鈥檚 rural clients face substantial barriers to accessing legal services, including geographic isolation, limited transportation options and limited access to trained attorneys with experience navigating the complexity of federal laws that apply to Indian status lands.
鈥淚 am extremely grateful for the unique opportunity provided by the USDA RD for the American Indian Wills Clinic to continue their work in Indian Country,鈥� AIWC Assistant Director Lori Harless said. 鈥淭his agreement will allow the Clinic to provide more opportunities and more outreach services to tribal members who live in rural areas and are unable to travel the distance to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma is the heart of Indian Country, and with 蜜桃影像AV Law consistently ranking in the top three law schools in the country for American Indian and Alaska Native enrollment, I cannot imagine a more proper fit for this agreement than 蜜桃影像AV Law.鈥�
Since opening in 2009, the AIWC has provided estate planning services to 29 of the 39 Oklahoma tribes and 12 tribes outside the state of Oklahoma. The Clinic has served more than 1,300 clients and has executed more than 1,051 wills, 193 powers of attorney, 184 medical advance directives, and 46 Transfer on Death Deeds for non-Indian property. In its lifetime, the Clinic has also provided a training ground for dozens of fledgling attorneys. 蜜桃影像AV Law student volunteers have committed thousands of pro bono hours to the Clinic. Aside from invaluable practical experience for their young careers, students also acquire soft skills that better prepare them for a life of service to their clients.
"The partnership between 蜜桃影像AV School of Law and the USDA exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing complex legal challenges,鈥� Choctaw Nation member and 蜜桃影像AV Law adjunct professor Judge Jason Glidewell said. 鈥溍厶矣跋馎V Law has created and is expanding an innovative solution to the fractionalization of trust property that not only helps everyday individuals navigate a daunting legal process but also ensures the economic viability of trust lands. This collaboration plays a crucial role in maintaining tribal sovereignty, empowering Native communities, and preserving their cultural and economic futures for generations to come. The commitment of 蜜桃影像AV Law to not only embrace Native American law but to use that commitment to create innovative solutions with long-term benefits for marginalized communities is just one more reason that 蜜桃影像AV Law is a truly special place."
Rural Development is a department of the USDA committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.
