Law Offices of Jeff Smith

NU Student Legal Access™ Plan

I was in an accident and I've got a court date in three weeks. What do I do?

I want to publish a paper I wrote for a class. How do I do that?

I'm moving off-campus and the landlord wants me to sign a "Lease" and pay a huge security deposit. What am I getting into?

The City of Evanston gave me a parking ticket and I think it's bogus. How does this "administrative hearing" work?

I let my roommate use my credit card and he lost it. What should I do?

Two classmates and I want to run a sprout business out of our apartment; can we do that?

Is it plagiarism if I use downloaded JPGs in a term paper?

I've been offered this great programming job; what does it mean when the company wants me to sign a "Confidentiality Agreement" and says all my software will be "Works for Hire"?

A Lawyer on Call All Year Long for $500. College is an adventure. It means new friends, new activities, new interests. It also means, for students here, being in the city of Evanston, the county of Cook, and the state of Illinois, all of which have ordinances and laws that may affect a student's life. No student plans on dealing with the legal system, but every year, thousands of students across America have to address the law in one way or another, on matters ranging from the unpleasant hassle, such as a traffic stop, to the confusing small print of a new apartment lease, to concerns about possible sexual harassment, to good news such as one's first employment contract (complete with unfamiliar clauses relating to stock options and non-competition). These legal concerns, for the student, often arise in a community where neither the student nor his or her family knows a lawyer. Making a series of phone calls only after the legal need arises can be frustrating and expensive.

For Northwestern students and their concerned parents, the Law Offices of Jeff Smith offers a Legal Access™ plan that puts a lawyer on call. Here's how it works.

A One-Time Payment of $500 secures the Law Offices of Jeff Smith as your attorney to be available during the 2005-06 academic year on services covered by the plan, and entitles you to the following:

How much you use the plan is up to you. Even if you only use the plan for one phone call during the year and review of an employment contract or lease, the plan pays for itself. But the principal benefit for many students or their families is simply the peace of mind of knowing that, should the need arise, there is a lawyer to call.

FAQ:
How can a law firm afford to offer up to $3000 or more of service for only $500? Just as not every insurance policyholder will make a claim, and not every person on a medical plan will need treatment, not every single student who signs up for the Legal Access™ plan will need every service available. The $500 figure for 2005-06 was chosen on an estimated break-even basis. However, even if the plan is not "profitable" for my office in economic terms, that is a conscious decision I have made, because lawyers have a duty to make legal services accessible to under-served communities. I also want to help young adults get in the habit of knowing the law and using a lawyer proactively.

What if I need more than the plan offers? As always, The Law Offices of Jeff Smith tries to be flexible and reasonable in the provision of legal services, including offering discounted hourly rates, and alternatives to hourly billing, for those for whom cost is an issue. For matters outside the office's areas of practice (e.g. bankruptcy, patents), qualified referrals are suggested at no cost.

Can I still call the Law Offices of Jeff Smith even if I don't sign up for this plan? Yes. That was true before I offered this plan, and it will continue to be true. I've been advising members of academic communities -- students, parents, professors, administrators, and staff -- for many years, both at Northwestern and at other institutions. However, there are only so many hours in the day and in the week. Currently, my caseload is purposely limited. Preference is given to existing clients and those on this plan.

Is this a Northwestern program? No. The Law Offices of Jeff Smith is a wholly private law office wholly independent of the University. Jeff Smith is a Northwestern alumnus who has represented Northwestern community members, but is not a University attorney, and has even represented clients in matters opposite the University.

What Matters Are Specifically Excluded from the Plan? The plan does not cover pre-existing legal matters, disputes with other Plan members, most felony criminal matters, hearings in downtown Chicago, or specialized areas in which the firm does not practice (such as aviation law or bankruptcy).

Who is Eligible? Full-time undergraduate or graduate students of Northwestern University residing within 10 miles of the Evanston campus who enroll and pay the fee before October 1, 2005.

How to Sign Up. Call, e-mail, or fax. You will receive an agreement. Signing the agreement and paying the fee enrolls you. That's it.

The above is not intended as legal advice, but only as general information that may or may not apply to your particular needs.

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