Dean Cahill Joins Law School Deans to Support Attorney General Garland’s Call to Combat Housing Crisis

Dean Michael T. Cahill joined law school deans around the country to support U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s call to action to the legal community in the face of a looming housing and eviction crisis.

“As federal and local eviction moratoriums expire around the country,” Garland wrote, “eviction filings are expected to spike.” He asked members of the legal community to provide support for tenants, landlords, and courts and ensure access to justice.

“Both landlords and tenants face uncertainty and disruption in the current economic environment, and Brooklyn Law School fully supports Attorney General Garland’s call to the legal profession to address this impending crisis that threatens to have an especially devastating impact on New York City,” said Cahill. “Just as we launched the Pandemic Employment Relief Clinic in spring 2020 to help the vast number of displaced workers seeking unemployment relief, we hope to do our part to assist tenants and landlords facing unprecedented hardships as a result of this ongoing crisis.”

Statement of Law School Deans in Support of the Attorney General’s Call to the Legal Community

August 30, 2021

We, the deans of law schools across the United States, agree with Attorney General Garland that the legal profession is well positioned to provide support for tenants, landlords, and courts in the looming housing and eviction crisis. As law school deans responsible for training the next generation of lawyers to be stewards of an effective, equitable, and just legal system, we feel obliged to do our part. Therefore, we are working with our faculty and students to take immediate and meaningful action to combat this crisis. Drawing on resources such as our pro bono programs, clinical offerings, and the service of our larger law school communities, we will help ensure that families and individuals facing eviction have the legal representation, counseling, and assistance they need to exercise their rights, that those entitled to the support of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program are able to access it, and that eviction proceedings are conducted in a fair and just manner.

See the full list of signatories here