STUDENT HANDBOOK - Cumberland School of Law - Samford ...

Departments and Organizations
providing volunteer placements with organizations that serve under-represented or economically disadvantaged groups.
The responsibility to perform pro bono services and to safeguard every citizen's access to justice sets the legal profession
apart from other societal roles.
In furtherance of these goals, the CPIP:
1. Provides student volunteers to public interest providers, i.e. organizations that provide legal advocacy on behalf
of under-represented or economically disadvantaged groups and organizations that study and work on issues
related to access of the indigent to justice
2. Educates Cumberland students and the community about the current state of access of the indigent to the legal
system and what can be done to increase the efficacy of current delivery systems
3. Partners with other Cumberland student groups to serve the community through specific service projects and
initiatives
4. Manages recognition programs for students who volunteer either as legal volunteers or as community servants
5. Through the generosity of alumni donations and grant foundation funding, CPIP provides a limited number
of Public Interest Stipends to students who commit to 6-10 weeks of uncompensated public interest/public
service legal work during the summer.
While there is no coherent body of law known per se as "public interest law," the following areas are generally
considered areas of public interest law: children's issues, civil rights, consumer protection, death penalty appeals,
disability-related issues, elder law, environmental law, housing, immigration, indigent criminal defense and public health.
Nonprofit organizations that provide legal services to individuals, legal services organizations, state or county public
defender officers and civil rights organizations are the most common public interest providers.
It is the school's hope that all students will participate in Cumberland Public Interest Project work.
Office of Alumni Relations
In its 165 years, Cumberland School of Law has trained and prepared more than 12,000 law graduates; many of whom
have significantly distinguished themselves in the legal profession. Being a “Cumberland Lawyer” is a title our graduates
wear with pride. Every Cumberland lawyer is a member of our National Alumni Association, with almost 8000
members in nearly every state in our country and several foreign countries. Alumni not only practice law, but serve as
judges and elected representatives, teach, speak to crowds, perform research, and in countless other ways, bring honor to
their profession and law school.
Cumberland graduates also support the law school in many ways. Not only by making financial contributions, but also
by assisting with continuing legal education and career development programs, serving on advisory boards, chairing class
reunions, hosting receptions and other events, and mentoring students. Alumni gatherings in cities throughout the
Southeast and beyond help Cumberland lawyers stay in touch personally and professionally. Regional Cumberland Clubs
meet periodically to maintain their ties and receive updates on the state of the law school.
Office of Law Student Records
The Office of Law Student Records maintains all law students’ records, updates the student database, and coordinates all
phases of course registration. The Office of Law Student Records promotes a professional and supportive atmosphere
while providing knowledgeable and exceptional academic assistance to our students.
The Office of Law Student Records provides the following services:
Registration assistance, including dropping and adding of courses
Advising students on course selection and graduation requirements
Class schedule and academic calendar maintenance and postings
Program changes and registration for joint degree students
Degree completion checklists
Dean’s Certification
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