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Student Legal Services
What is Student Legal Services?
Student Legal Services is a professional legal office that has been providing free
advice, confidential counseling and legal assistance to the students of the University
of Florida since 1977. Funded by Student Government through Activities and Service
fees, SLS is essentially a pre-paid legal service for full time UF students. SLS
is staffed by four licensed attorneys who are available to offer students assistance
in understanding the factors that should be considered in addressing their legal
problem, in determining if a lawyer’s services are or are not necessary and to provide
them appropriate assistance, representation and/or referral.
The SLS attorneys also provide lectures, workshops, and other educational programs
on a variety of legal issues to educate students on their legal rights and responsibilities.
Any resident hall, fraternity, sorority, student group, organization, faculty or
staff member can arrange a program by calling (352) 392-LAWS.
Services:
Student Legal Services provides full representation in:
- Landlord/Tenant matters such as: repairs, security deposits, eviction, lease
termination.
- Family Law matters such as: uncontested divorce, step-parent adoption and
name changes
- Expunging and Sealing criminal charges
Student Legal Services provides advice and assistance in:
- Consumer matters such as: defective products and services, warranties, contracts,
credit
- Property Damage matters such as: auto accidents, stolen or damaged personal
property
- Traffic Citations
- Criminal Traffic
- Criminal Charges
- Notary Services such as: preparation of affidavits, acknowledgements, powers
of attorney.
Criminal and Traffic Clinic:
Student Legal Services provides a walk-in service on Tuesdays from 3:00-5PM and Wednesdays
from 2:30-4:30PM throughout the fall and spring semesters for any full-time
UF student who has received a criminal or traffic citation, or has been arrested
for a misdemeanor or 3rd degree felony. You will get an opportunity to meet one-on-one
with an attorney to discuss your case.
Please Note:
- Bring your citation with you.
- If you have been arrested for a more serious charge and have been assigned
a public defender, that is your attorney and we cannot work with you.
- If you are unable to make it to our offices during these times, call us and
we can make an appointment for you at another time.
- Fill out the client information form, available at the top of this page. Link
is located in the Student Legal Services drop -down menu.
Eligibility:
All full-time University of Florida students are eligible for free legal services.
Full-time students for purposes of program eligibility are:
- Undergraduate students enrolled in 12 semester hours;
- Graduate students enrolled in 9 semester hours; or
- Students enrolled in 6 summer semester hours
Limitations:
Student Legal Services cannot provide assistance with the following matters:
- Claims involving the University of Florida, the State of Florida, or any of
its agencies;
- Disputes between University of Florida students;
- Matters the attorney believes to be clearly frivolous, without merit or would
otherwise violate the rules regulating the Florida Bar;
- Disputes in which the amount in controversy is under $100.00 or exceeds $15,000;
- Representation is limited to Alachua County.
Hours:
Student Legal Services is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Suite
368 on the third floor of the J. Wayne Reitz Union. Notary services are available
without an appointment from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Appointments:
Student Legal Services is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Suite
368 on the third floor of the J. Wayne Reitz Union. Appointments to see an attorney
are required and may be made in person or by calling the office at 352-392-LAWS.
Legal advice cannot be given over the telephone or by email. Notary services are
available without an appointment until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
After scheduling an appointment students are required to submit the client information
form, available at the top of this page, before seeing an attorney.
Confidentiality:
All matters discussed with the attorneys are strictly confidential. An attorney
is sworn to preserve the confidence of a client. This rule applies equally to those
persons working with an attorney. Every precaution will be taken to preserve the
confidentiality of your file and your communications with the attorneys. Information
will not be released to anyone, including the University administration or your
family members, without your express consent. There are no exceptions.
Contact:
Student Legal Services
368 J. Wayne Reitz Union
P.O. Box 118505
Gainesville, FL 32611-8505
Tel:(352) 392-LAWS
Fax: (352) 392-1624
Email: sls@sg.ufl.edu