BUFFALO, N.Y. — University at Buffalo law students are ready for the real world after their time in school, and even during it. For years, students have participated in clinical legal education, learning and providing hands-on legal work both locally and in other areas.

Following the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico was in need of disaster assistance, but with many residents being denied help from FEMA, they also needed legal assistance. This is where Professor Kim Connolly thought her law students at University at Buffalo could help. That's why she developed The Puerto Rico Recovery Assistance Legal Clinic and chose ten students to participate.

In January, students were on the ground for ten days, mainly focused on assisting residents with FEMA appeals. UB students were able to assist more than 80 residents.

"We created opportunities to provide help, legal help, to over 80 people, humanitarian help to over 800 families. But best of all, we provided an opportunity for our students to become people who would understand what it meant to serve people in need," said Professor Kim Connolly, director of clinical legal education at UB.

Third-year law student David Yovanoff called it a humbling experience.

"To get down there to see what people were dealing with on a day to day basis, how their lives had changed, seeing what a new reality looked like when you don't have basic services, not just basic legal services but electricity, clean water. Seeing that first-hand, it changes you," Yovanoff said.

But he says what truly made the clinic a success is a long-term partnership that could be in the works between UB and University of Puerto Rico. On Monday, panel discussions were held.

"Now set the cornerstones for something that will exist moving forward so other students here at the University at Buffalo Law School have an opportunity to continue the work that we've already built,” said Yovanoff.