Rutgers Law Students, Alums Provide Free Estate Planning for First Responders

The Camden County Bar Association (CCBA) and Rutgers Law School Pro Bono Program teamed up to host a Wills for Heroes event on March 29 at Rutgers Law in Camden. The event provided critical estate planning services to first responders and their spouses. With the support of dedicated law student volunteers and pro bono attorneys, nearly 35 estate planning packets—including wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare proxies—were prepared and provided free of charge.

A team of 12 volunteer attorneys and 15 law students donated their time and expertise to ensure that each first responder left with vital legal protections in place. The initiative was spearheaded by Melissa Buckwheat, student leader of the Wills for Heroes Project, and Julia Evans, co-student leader of the Pro Bono Estate Planning Project along with co-student leader Christian Donato.

Melissa said, “Wills for Heroes is a great way to give back to people who give so much to our communities.”

In addition to serving, student volunteers gained hands-on experience in client interaction, legal drafting, and estate planning. Law student James Sturdivant said, “It was valuable to see the work of an attorney advising clients in wills and estates. The attorney I worked with was skilled in connecting with clients and explaining technical topics in an accessible way. He walked them through the process and made clear the implications of each decision they made, while taking time to listen to their specific concerns and provide information on options available to them beyond the services provided at the event.”

Participants were equally grateful for the opportunity to prepare these often-overlooked documents. “As first responders, death isn’t something we like to think about—but it’s always in the back of our minds,” one first responder said. “Knowing that, if the worst were to happen, my wife and kids will be taken care of provides peace of mind.”

“The First Responders expressed not only their gratitude for the services but also their relief in knowing they now have documents in place to protect their families, particularly their minor children,” said Brenda Lee Eutsler ’99 and Abby Cohler ’91, CCBA co-chairs. They added, “The students were of tremendous assistance to the attorneys and the attorneys enjoyed the opportunity to mentor the students.”

This is not the first time such services have been extended to New Jersey residents. In November, the New Jersey State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division held a similar Wills for Heroes event, assisting veterans, law enforcement officers, healthcare workers, and first responders. Rutgers Law School students and alumni from both Camden and Newark campuses volunteered at the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company.