About Us
A variety of free legal services for UB students are provided, they include:
1. Free consultation and advocacy from a student defender for Student-Wide Judiciary (SWJ) hearings.
2. Free consultation and advocacy from a student defender for Campus Living appeal process.
3. Legal advice (but not representation) from an attorney for General Legal Issues.
4. Notarizations.
5. Community seminars on legal issues as well as print and online resources.
SBI Legal Assistance was developed from a pilot program of a student-run Legal Aid Clinic. This pilot program was a loosely organized legal aid clinic that was funded by the Student Association and was staffed by student volunteers. A practicing attorney visited the office for several hours each week advising students and offering direction and suggestions to the direction of the program.
The success of the Legal Aid Clinic facilitated the formation of SBI Legal Assistance as a consolidated, permanent service. The Student Association appointed a committee to assist in the development of a broader system, with increased economic and administrative viability. Out of this committee process the current program was finally created. In 1977, administrative control of SBI Legal Assistance was shifted from the Student Association to Sub-Board I, Inc., which was previously formed in 1970. Sub-Board I, Inc., through mandatory student fees, currently manages and funds SBI Legal Assistance.