Seattle University professor asks WSBA to partner on clinic serving people displaced by encampment sweeps

Professor Sarah Rankin, who directs the Homeless Rights Advocacy Project at Seattle University School of Law, asked the Washington State Bar Association to consider a partnership with a clinic aimed at legal needs arising from encampment sweeps.

"We've developed a clinic focused on one of the most destabilizing harms unhoused people face, property loss from encampment sweeps," Rankin said during the board's public comment period. She described the common losses—food, blankets, medication, identification and sentimental items—and outlined training for community partners in trauma-informed engagement, documenting property before a sweep, filing administrative claims with the city and negotiating with municipal insurance adjusters.

Rankin said the clinic integrates trained community members with law students and attorneys to provide "low risk, high need services in partnership," and emphasized building clear supervision and ethical guardrails so nonlawyers can provide supportive, nonlegal assistance. She noted the WSBA's recent access-to-justice efforts and experimental reforms, saying the project may not require formal bar authorization but invited board members to learn more about how it operates.

Board members thanked Rankin and said they hoped to follow up to explore collaboration. The public comment did not result in any formal action or vote during the recorded portion of the meeting.

Next steps described in the meeting record: board members expressed interest in being contacted for further information; no formal referral, authorization decision or timeline was recorded in the transcript.