Baylor Law Students Aid Hurricane Victims with Relief Effort

Baylor Law School media contact: Josh Weaver, (254) 710-6681

WACO, Texas (Sept. 7, 2017) – With Texans reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Baylor Law students are stepping up to help. The flooding and devastation of the hurricane have forced thousands of Texans to evacuate their homes and communities. Baylor Law students, working alongside Lone Star Legal Aid, have organized a fundraiser and donation drive to help their families, friends and neighbors on the Gulf Coast.

“I grew up in Port Arthur and lived in Beaumont before moving to Waco. I have lived through many storms but have never seen anything like this,” said Baylor Law Professor Bridget Fuselier. “Families have lost everything. Schools have been damaged. Businesses lost. But the human spirit is remarkable. While surrounded by incredible tragedy, I have witnessed incredible faith and love. We can't forget about these victims because the flood waters have receded. They need our help now more than ever.”

Sponsored by LEAD Counsel, a Baylor Law student organization founded to inspire young lawyers to make meaningful contributions to their community through public service, Baylor students are organizing a relief effort from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, in the circular driveway in front of Baylor Law School. LEAD Counsel is working with Lone Star Legal Aid, the Salvation Army and the Waco Navy to collect donations for displaced Hurricane Harvey victims. The following donations are of high priority:

“As lawyers, we are often called upon to help when people are experiencing moments of life-defining crisis,” said Law School Dean Brad Toben. “Hurricane Harvey has left so many Texans experiencing the greatest trauma of their lives. I am proud of our Baylor Law students for answering the call for help with this relief effort. These future Baylor Lawyers model our mission as lawyers to serve our communities.”

“LEAD Counsel is focused on equipping us to be leaders and to serve,” said Morgan Blair, second-year Baylor Law student. “When Hurricane Harvey devastated the state of Texas, each one of us realized the opportunity we had to make a difference. We look forward to uniting with the community in our efforts, and hope this will inspire lawyers elsewhere to do the same in times of tragedy.”

For other ways to contribute to the relief effort, visit:

Lone Star Legal Aid: https://www.lonestarlegal.org/

Salvation Army: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

For more information about Baylor Law’s LEAD Counsel, visit: https://www.baylor.edu/law/index.php?id=940196 or email morgan_blair@baylor.edu.

ABOUT BAYLOR LAW SCHOOL

Established in 1857, Baylor Law School was one of the first law schools in Texas and one of the first west of the Mississippi River. Today, the school has more than 7,400 living alumni. It is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Baylor Law School has a record of producing outstanding lawyers, many of whom decide upon a career in public service. The Law School boasts two governors, members or former members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, two former directors of the FBI, U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, justices of the Texas Supreme Court and members of the Texas Legislature, among its notable alumni. In its law specialties rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Baylor Law’s trial advocacy program as #3 in the nation. Baylor Law School is also ranked #51 in the magazine’s 2018 edition of "America’s Best Graduate Schools." The National Jurist ranks Baylor Law as one of the "Best School for Practical Training," and #3 in the nation in its most recent "Best Law School Facilities" listing. The Business Insider places Baylor Law among the top 50 law schools in the nation. Baylor Law School received the 2015 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award, making it only the third law school in the nation to be honored with the award since the award's inception in 1984. Learn more at baylor.edu/law.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.