Make way for justice

Cassie Powell, L’16, is the inaugural director of the law school’s new Access to Justice Clinic, which advances the rights of Virginians with limited income through civil litigation services. Her passion for social justice law is matched by her desire to build the confidence of young lawyers.

WHAT DREW YOU TO SOCIAL JUSTICE LAW?
It was my mom. She was the first person in her family to go to college and was a single mom and social worker. I grew up hearing stories about what she saw as a social worker. That gave me an early understanding that I was lucky to have the privileges I did and that I should use them to make the world a more just and equitable place. I just can’t imagine doing anything else. I love fighting alongside my clients and working on these issues — it’s the best.

HOW DOES YOUR BACKGROUND PREPARE YOU TO LEAD THIS NEW CLINIC?
I come with a lot of practice experience that runs the gamut of what [the clinic] might encounter. I’ve done housing, public benefits, family law, education law, and more. As a former legal aid attorney and manager, I also have connections with many practitioners in Virginia who can provide expertise and support [to the clinic.]

Another important thing is that I enjoy working with people who are just starting out and feeling nervous. I love supporting [young lawyers], helping them build their confidence and watching them grow.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE CLINIC?
I want students to complete the Access to Justice Clinic feeling confident that they can stand in a courtroom, handle the pressures of working with clients, and articulate their clients’ goals effectively. I hope they come away seeing social justice as something to embed in all their practice work, no matter what area of law they pursue.

I also want successful outcomes for our clients — preventing evictions, securing public benefits, supporting families — but at the same time, I also want students to enjoy [their time with the clinic].

HOW DOES BEING AT RICHMOND LAW IMPACT THE WORK YOU CAN DO?
It’s really exciting to do this work with university resources and be part of this collaborative and motivated community. Richmond Law is a very well-respected institution, and being affiliated with it opens doors and gives me more leverage to push for my clients and talk about access-to-justice issues in different spaces. It’s important to me that the clinic is part of the broader Richmond community, too. I hope people will reach out to me if they have thoughts or questions about the clinic.