UVA students have the opportunity to learn about the legal process by working closely with local attorneys in our Legal Clinic. The commitment from our local attorneys and student interns has allowed our clinic to grow and meet a greater need in the community. Since 2013, we have added a summer legal clinic and increased the frequency of our clinics from once a month, to twice a month, allowing us to meet the needs of more clients all year long. While you can get to know our hard-working interns through our student spotlight series, we want to shine light on the dedicated attorneys who donate their time to our legal clinic.

Get to know John Ralston of E. Randall Ralston, P.C.! A 2015 graduate from the University of Richmond School of Law, John Ralston is already putting his degree to good use at his family’s practice, E. Randall Ralston, P.C., in Charlottesville and right here at the UVA Women’s Center Free Legal Clinic. The clinic is held twice a month on Tuesday evenings at the Corner Building on the UVA Corner, and serves about 6 clients per clinic or about 12 clients per month. Clients reach out to us either by phone (434-982-2361) or email ([email protected]) to sign up for thirty minute pro-bono consultations with an attorney. Attorneys from around the community graciously volunteer their time to serve on one of our clinics. Mr. Ralston has graciously gone above and beyond serving on two of our clinics this fall, taking time out of his busy schedule to give back to the community at our clinics.  While Mr. Ralston was at U of R his concentration was in corporate law and contracts since he greatly enjoys the drafting process and having to tailor a document to a client’s objectives. Outside of his studies in law school, he volunteered for the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society’s Bankruptcy clinic and the Carrico Center Housing program. Today he focuses his work on real estate, corporate and incorporation, estate planning, land use and zoning, and landlord or tenant issues. Giving back is obviously an integral part of Mr. Ralston’s work, or as he likes to put it, “I often see clients in desperate circumstances, and I find it rewarding to help them develop a plan and counsel them through bad times.” We’re grateful for all the help he has provided us. Charlottesville is lucky to have him!