Some OCU LAW students recently formed a new student organization to help underprivileged senior citizens make important decisions about their personal legal matters. The OCU LAW Elder Law Association hold workshops at a local senior shelter and at retirement homes to help seniors file important legal documents.

Third-year OCU LAW student Monica Tanzey said she saw a need for the organization when she held an internship at the AARP and clerked at the Oklahoma Senior Law Resource Center.

"The people I worked for said they wished there was a law student group that could help elderly people in need," Tanzey said. "After working with area senior citizens, it became clear that there is a local need for these services, and students could benefit by volunteering as well."

Tanzey said that while classroom experience is great for "learning the law, analyzing legal issues and testing" when learning the legal profession, working in the field is a necessary part of the educational process as a way to gain exprerience interacting with clients. She formed the Elder Law Association during the Fall 2008 semester and recruited about 20 fellow students. The association has held workshops at the Sunbeam Family Services senior citizen emergency shelter and has scheduled similar sessions at Grace Living Center. Sunbeam Family Services senior shelter is open to those who have been abused or neglected.

The Elder Law association plans to hold workshops throughout the summer at other local retirement centers. Law students help the elderly with issues like advanced healthcare directives, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

"These can be complex issues and the paperwork might be confusing for some people," Tanzey said.

"I’m amazed at the good we’re doing in the community."

The OCU LAW Elder Law Association was featured in Monday’s Oklahoman and has received funding from the Student Bar Association to continue operations next year.