What is UCSD Legal Services?
UCSD provides a range of legal services to students through its Legal Services Office, located on the 1st floor of the Price Center – East, Suite 1. The Office of Legal Services serves as an advocate for all UCSD students involved in legal issues both on and off campus; as a resource providing information and recommendations for students’ educational, professional and personal needs; and as a campus-wide liaison with other legal resources. The office serves as a liaison between students and other legal service organizations in San Diego, and provides referrals to those organizations when necessary. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9AM – 5PM , and by appointment. Appointments can be scheduled by phone or in person from 9AM – 4:30PM, and are open to currently enrolled, registered UCSD undergraduate students, graduate and professional students, and UCSD Extension students. Legal inquiries can also be directed via email to [email protected]. Issues regarding court appointments, subpoenas, or other official legal documents must be addressed in person at the Legal Services office. Alcohol or drug use is prohibited in the office by anyone. Legal services staff members are obligated to take appropriate action if they observe or are concerned about the safety or wellness of a student in their office.
What Kinds of Help Does UCSD Legal Services Provide?
Students at UCSD can currently obtain legal advice on a variety of matters from the University of California Student Legal Services (UCSLS) office. This is separate from (i.e., not funded by) the campus’ Legal Aid Society and its focus on family law. The office’s primary objective is to counsel students on issues that may be related to being a college student, but it also provides advice in specific areas that have either direct or indirect relevance to the university as an institution. The types of problems represented by the highest demand for advice and counsel can be grouped in five overarching categories.
Landlord/Tenant: A student living off-campus would approach UCSLS on a matter having to do with a residential lease or rental agreement. A business contract or an eviction, for example, are both legal matters pertaining to housing.
Contracts and Agreements: From a simple roommate cohabitation agreement to a binding business contract, UCSLS handles questions about any agreement that the student may be reasonably expected to honour. Students should also inquire after advice regarding contracts for goods and services — both purchases (i.e. car, phone, etc.) and sales. UCSD’s office does not handle labor or employment law inquiries at this time, including student employment files, employment contracts and wage claims.
Disciplinary Offenses: A motley group, however all connected by the common factor being a disciplinary issue. This can mean a formal campus complaint against a student, i.e. arising from a noise disturbance, or less formally being involved in a fraternity or other event.
Debt Collection: The final category for most inquiries are those concerning the student’s financial liability to third parties. There is a requirement on UCSDSLS staff to not prepare the documents in the signing process — students must be prepared to draft and file all documentation themselves.
Eligibility and Appointment Procedures
Eligibility for UCSD Legal Services is limited to enrolled students and does not extend to employees or dependents of students. The only exception to this rule is that a student may bring one other person for purposes of co-counseling. Only one appointment will be made per issue, with each appointment potentially resulting in the assignment of a different legal advisor for that issue. When additional appointments are permitted, students will be given priority for those openings. In order to make an appointment with the Legal Advisor for Student Governance and Dispute Resolution or another legal advisor, the student must:
- (1) Bring a copy of the Student Legal Services handout showing their eligibility.
- (2) Be the actual person needing advice, assistance or representation and must be prepared to disclose all pertinent information related to the issue at hand.
- (3) Always arrive fifty minutes early or attend the orientation meeting when required, to assist the advisors in maintaining a fair and efficient release of appointments.
- (4) Complete an application form before leaving the initial appointment and agree with the advisor about future events in the case or about his/her availability.
Confidentiality Counsels
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the attorney-client relationship. It offers a sanctuary for clients to share their concerns, and it assures them that sensitive information is protected. All employees of the Office of the General Counsel who provide legal advice or guidance are covered by the legal privilege that ensures complete confidentiality. The General Counsel has determined that our office provides legal services to UCSD students as part of the University’s legal services. Thus, this firm-consultant privilege is conferred on student consultations as well.
Confidentiality applies not only to what’s said directly with an advisor during a consultation. The privilege also covers records, photos, emails, social media postings, and anything else we can see that falls into scope of legal advice or guidance. We will make every effort to keep your information private. However, be aware that if you have not paid rent or have other debts to UCSD, your records are subject to collection requests from UCSD, and that could include privileged records.
We also recognize that UCSD is a public institution, so we strive to maintain appropriate privacy protections when using Zoom and other electronic means of communication with clients. We will not archive Zoom recordings, but may keep chat and screen sharing information that comes up during meetings.
The law sometimes requires mandatory reporting of certain persons and behavior, so that may release privileged information to be reported to the University.
The confidentiality policies of the Office of the General Counsel for advising students are additional support for the decision to use our services.
Limitations and Exclusions
Limitations are according to the type Legal Service you may need, recommended for Students they are very limited as following: Landlord and Tenant (Rental Agreements). You must have contacted and made multiple attempts with Student Legal Services. Landlord and Tenant cases are referred by the Staff at legal services only to outside counsel. The referral is based on the nature of the case and the required specialized knowledge or experience needed to take a case.
Criminal Cases. An individual currently enrolled at UCSD who has been charged with any type of criminal offense will not be represented at court by Student Legal Services. These students will be referred to the criminal resource persons in Student Legal Services .
Where students are charged with criminal offenses, action for those criminal offenses can be taken by UCSD administration. Criminal action will result in dismissal from the university if a student is convicted of the crime.
Immigration. Office of International students may refer students to outside attorneys but because immigration law requires a large investment of attorney time and an ability to predict the final outcome with a reasonable measure of certainty, the University will not cover this type of case. In addition, the Federal Government now has new regulations governing the professional practice of certain immigration matters by non-attorneys.
Referral Resources
In addition to the core services in immigration, housing, employment, and criminal law, UCSD legal services also offers additional resources and referral services to help students navigate their issues.
Immigration Issues
In the event that a student’s legal problem lies outside the scope of the services that we provide, clients will be referred to independent counsel in the community. In addition, we will provide information on self-help services that are available online or through local community-based organizations.
The Visa and Immigrant Health Care Project provides a variety of legal services to undocumented residents and those who help them. Staff attorneys review legal questions that arise in areas such as Medi-Cal, Public Assistance, Institutionalization, Health Care Service providers and Penal Code Section 1202.4. Services are only provided to low-income individuals in the northern San Diego County. Free and low-cost legal services for immigrants and refugees.
Consumer Issues
The Public Benefits Project is a partnership of legal services and immigrant rights organizations working together to educate consumers about common consumer issues, and to provide legal representation where indicated. Initial legal consultations are free.
Housing Issues
The Domestic Violence Project provides free legal counsel to survivors of domestic violence seeking Temporary Restraining Orders in San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial Counties. We also provide legal representation in linkage with other benefits to the extent possible. Do-It-Yourself projects provide easy-to-follow instructions on how to do your own court paperwork and represent yourself in legal matters. This helps unrepresented litigants access the same information and forms found in law libraries, but from the comfort of their home or office.
Student Success Stories
While specific details must be kept confidential, the success stories of UCSD legal services come from countless students who have sought assistance. Many have found resolution to a variety of problems, from immaterial damages in minor injury accidents to the successful negotiation of leases that benefit students rather than businesses. "I was facing an eviction notice and knew I had 30 days to respond. A friend recommended UCSD Legal Services and I went in that very day. They contacted my landlord, negotiated on my behalf, and got the notice completely rescinded." "After a car accident, my injuries and damages were costing thousands of dollars. I was prepared to go to trial because the other driver’s insurance company refused to respond. My attorney advised me on all my options including going to trial. We ended up in arbitration, and obtained a settlement that covered all my expenses." "I was being taken to small claims court by my landlord for a large portion of my security deposit. I was able to prove that the property wasn’t habitable due to several code violations including leaks and no running water for two days. I used my attorney’s research to present to the court and won the case." "Being a college student, I got a great deal when I leased a car from a dealer that included only 3,000 miles a year. I was forced to pay several extra charges not included in the contract. My attorney filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s office and they responded by writing a letter demanding a refund from the dealer."
Contact Information for UCSD Legal Services
Within the UCSD campus, "Legal Services" are available to all students. In this section, we will discuss how to contact the legal services at UCSD.
Location
Legal Services at UCSD can be found at the Student Health Services building at 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093. For those who want directions to get there, click here.
Phone Numbers
The main phone number to call for information and assistance at Legal Services is (858) 534-4378 . Whether you have a straightforward question or a pressing legal need, you can get in touch with the office directly by phone.
Online
Pursuing legal support online is a convenient option. From anywhere and at any time, students can request an appointment with Legal Services, further exemplifying the department’s dedication to helping its clients. Click here to access UCSD’s Legal Services web page and fill out the convenient online appointment request form.