Democratizing Legal Knowledge Across the Country of Georgia

Since 2022—as part of our efforts to make rule of law education more accessible to community members worldwide—Street Law, Inc. has mentored law schools throughout the country of Georgia. The goal of this partnership is to establish and pilot public legal education programs (commonly called “street law” programs) that empower youth and community members with essential legal understanding and civic skills.

This important work recently culminated in the inaugural Street Law Academy in Georgia, held in May 2024.

Against the backdrop of university boycotts fueled by threats to democracy, a passionate cohort of Georgian law students participated in the Academy. Despite their involvement in the boycotts, these students were dedicated to sharing insights from their street law programs, emphasizing that this program is more than just another law school class to them.

The Street Law Academy

The two-day Street Law Academy held in Borjomi, Georgia, brought together law faculty and students from nine universities across the country with the aim of enhancing the capacity of law schools to deliver high-quality public legal education programs.

Academy participants engaged in various activities, including skill-building workshops, best practice discussions, and lesson demonstrations. These sessions were designed to enhance their legal knowledge, lawyering skills, and pro bono attitudes while building a cohesive and collaborative network of street law programs throughout Georgia.

Mariam Melkadze, an Academy participant from Ilia State University Law School, emphasized how unique and valuable the experience was for her and her peers. “By participating in the meeting, I had the opportunity to receive advice from experts on creating a Street Law course at Ilia State University and learn from the experiences of both Tbilisi and regional universities. The knowledge and insights gained will aid us in successfully introducing the course at our university.”

The Street Law Academy was a part of the larger USAID Rule of Law Program implemented by  the East West Management Institute (EWMI) with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Under this Program, Street Law, Inc. seeks to equip law school administrators, faculty, and students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to implement sustainable street law programs.

Benefits of “street law” Programs

Law school-based public legal education programs offer numerous benefits to both law students and the communities they serve.

Street law programs help law students bridge theory and practice by enhancing understanding of legal principles through hands-on teaching experiences. Participating law students also cultivate vital communication, leadership, and community engagement skills.

The high school students and community members who are taught by law students gain practical legal knowledge, which enables them to understand their rights and responsibilities, navigate legal challenges, and engage more effectively in civic life.

On a broader scale, street law programs help strengthen global democracy and rule of law by fostering informed and engaged citizens who are equipped to advocate for justice, participate in democratic processes, and support equitable legal systems.

Looking Ahead

Participating law schools will spend the next year strengthening their programs, with some expanding to more school sites and community groups. Additional Georgian law schools are poised to offer street law as part of their curriculum in the next academic year, positioning them to join an anticipated second Street Law Academy in spring 2025.

Amy Wallace, Assistant Professor of Law at New York Law School and Law School Advisor at Street Law, Inc., emphasized the significance of the event. “The Street Law Academy in Georgia marks a significant milestone in our mission to empower future legal professionals with the tools to drive change in their communities. By fostering a collaborative environment, we are building a strong foundation for experiential legal education that will benefit not only the law students but also the Georgian community.”