The University of Wyoming has suspended legal services for students because of the current hiring freeze. However, students are still paying for the service through their mandatory student fees.
The program’s longtime attorney Elizabeth Goudey died over the summer after 30 years of service. A temporary attorney was brought in to complete a few remaining cases, but the position was then frozen.
Michael Rotellini is the President of the Associated Students at UW, and he said the program was critical since most students cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Student Legal Services does not litigate on behalf of students, but Rotellini said the program does provide students with affordable legal advice.
A contract for bid was put up to local Laramie law offices to fill in for the short-term. When that contract expires in the spring, Rotellini said he hopes the University will hire to fill it permanently.