Emma's Story:
Emma Bond
A 3-year-old-girl raised by the man who believed he was her father avoided losing him and the stability she had known thanks to University of Maine law student Emma Bond ’12 and fellow students working in the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, one of the six providers supported by the Campaign for Justice.
The father, Randy, contacted the Clinic for legal representation in a parental rights action brought by his ex-girlfriend, April. The couple’s three-year-old daughter, Tamara, had lived with Randy all her life.
April, who struggles with an opiate addiction and was in and out of Tamara’s life, brought the suit to gain full custody of Tamara, alleging that Randy was not actually Tamara’s father. Genetic testing proved she was right. This fact was a complete surprise to Randy, but it did not change his view that Tamara was his child.
Soon thereafter, Randy learned that, although he was Tamara’s sole caregiver, the public benefits he was receiving for Tamara and himself would be terminated because he was not her biological
father.
Randy’s student attorneys, including Emma Bond ’12, demonstrated to both the court and the Department of Health and Human Services that Randy was Tamara’s “de facto” parent. As a result, he was rewarded full parental rights, including primary residence, and had his family’s benefits
restored.
“It was rewarding,” says Emma, “to see how Randy’s entire life was able to come together once his TANF benefits were decided—being able to care for his daughter, get a car, and look for a job again.” “It was my first experience feeling like I was a lawyer, “ Emma says of the case, “and I got to
apply the law for people who needed help. It was great to learn how to file documents in court.”
Emma, who was a summer intern in the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic (CLAC) at the time, has also worked in the Juvenile Justice Clinic at CLAC. She estimates she has been involved in more thirty
cases.
Emma believes in the Campaign for Justice. “The Campaign is very important for the credibility of our justice system. Otherwise everything becomes a charade, especially with the current budget cuts. Given these cuts, it is even more important for the legal community to provide resources to
ensure access to legal help.”
After graduating this spring, Emma says she will clerk for Judge Evan Wallach of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
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Your gift to the Campaign for Justice can help others in need receive important legal counsel and representation—and support law students like Emma help those in need and learn the practice of law.
Lead the way.
Please give.
The father, Randy, contacted the Clinic for legal representation in a parental rights action brought by his ex-girlfriend, April. The couple’s three-year-old daughter, Tamara, had lived with Randy all her life.
April, who struggles with an opiate addiction and was in and out of Tamara’s life, brought the suit to gain full custody of Tamara, alleging that Randy was not actually Tamara’s father. Genetic testing proved she was right. This fact was a complete surprise to Randy, but it did not change his view that Tamara was his child.
Soon thereafter, Randy learned that, although he was Tamara’s sole caregiver, the public benefits he was receiving for Tamara and himself would be terminated because he was not her biological
father.
Randy’s student attorneys, including Emma Bond ’12, demonstrated to both the court and the Department of Health and Human Services that Randy was Tamara’s “de facto” parent. As a result, he was rewarded full parental rights, including primary residence, and had his family’s benefits
restored.
“It was rewarding,” says Emma, “to see how Randy’s entire life was able to come together once his TANF benefits were decided—being able to care for his daughter, get a car, and look for a job again.” “It was my first experience feeling like I was a lawyer, “ Emma says of the case, “and I got to
apply the law for people who needed help. It was great to learn how to file documents in court.”
Emma, who was a summer intern in the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic (CLAC) at the time, has also worked in the Juvenile Justice Clinic at CLAC. She estimates she has been involved in more thirty
cases.
Emma believes in the Campaign for Justice. “The Campaign is very important for the credibility of our justice system. Otherwise everything becomes a charade, especially with the current budget cuts. Given these cuts, it is even more important for the legal community to provide resources to
ensure access to legal help.”
After graduating this spring, Emma says she will clerk for Judge Evan Wallach of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
_________________________________
Your gift to the Campaign for Justice can help others in need receive important legal counsel and representation—and support law students like Emma help those in need and learn the practice of law.
Lead the way.
Please give.
