Student Legal Services

Student Legal Services

Student Legal Services is staffed by four licensed attorneys who assist students in understanding an Notary services are also available. student policy.

SERVICES:

Student Legal Services provides students a full range of typical legal services, including advice and consultation, drafting of letters and legal documents, conferences and settlement negotiations with adverse parties, legal research, review and interpretation of legal documents, drafting and filing of legal documents, and some representation in court. Student Legal Services provides i

09/13/2023

Graduate Student Organization & Resource Fair

Photos from Student Legal Services's post 09/08/2023

Student Legal Services will be presenting via zoom Monday 11, 2023 at 1:30pm. Please join if you can. Go Gators!

08/28/2023

Asian American Student Assembly. SLS had a great time!

08/28/2023
08/15/2023

We are beginning to see intakes where Sweetwater tenants are being asked to sign addenda related to the construction delays. Please DO NOT sign aything until you have met with your free attorneys at UF Student Legal Services. They CANNOT make you sign anything, impose a "deadline," etc.

Homepage - studentlegalservices.ufl.edu 08/15/2023

For those UF students interested in a career in law, Student Legal Services offers multiple internship opportunities. The application period is now open. Just visit our wesbite at www.studentlegalservices.ufl.edu and complete an intake.

Homepage - studentlegalservices.ufl.edu Open during regular business hours The Student Legal Services Office in the Reitz Union is now open during regular business hours. SLS staff will continue to support students and assist with cases through your choice of teleconference , zoom, or in-person appointments. We can be reached at sls@ufsa....

Homepage - studentlegalservices.ufl.edu 07/31/2023

We are aware that the apartment complex UFORA is experiencing construction delays and was not ready for occupancy on the commencement date of numerous leases. In early July of 2023, UFORA gave tenants two options to resolve the issue: either accept alternative housing that they would provide (along with a per diem stipend) or accept $600/week until occupancy was allowed. Rent was to be abated until occupancy was allowed under the second option. There is also a provision in the lease that terminates the lease if occupancy cannot be granted within 60 days of the anticipated start date of the lease.

UFORA apparently continues to be unable to provide occupancy to their tenants on the commencement date of the leases. UFORA has now sent residents a document title “Addendum To Lease” dated July 28, 2023, and told the tenants that they must sign the addendum if they accepted the option of receiving $600/week as compensation for the delays. UFORA is attempting to force the tenants to sign the addenda immediately (by today, July 31, 2023), apparently under the threat that they will refuse to make the agreed-upon $600/week payments if they fail to sign the document.

We have had numerous requests for legal services arising out of this matter (and we know that other UF offices have received numerous enquiries). We can only give legal advice to individuals after meeting with them and taking into consideration their particular circumstances. But we can share some general legal rules that might help you at this time, since UFORA is apparently attempting to coerce a hasty decision from so many tenants.

A lease is a binding contract that both the tenant and the landlord must abide by. If the landlord and tenant entered into a new agreement, by mutual consent, such as the agreements that were entered into to compensate for the landlord’s failure to deliver possession of the premises at the beginning of the lease, that is now a part of the binding contract between the parties. The landlord does NOT have the ability to force tenants to sign an “Addendum” that modifies the existing contract. A quick reading of this addendum makes it apparent that UFORA is attempting to modify the existing contracts between the parties. They do not have the right to make such a change unilaterally and tenants do not have to “agree” to any change.

For any UF student affected by this situation, we urge you to go to our website and apply for services. Homepage -

Homepage - studentlegalservices.ufl.edu Open during regular business hours The Student Legal Services Office in the Reitz Union is now open during regular business hours. SLS staff will continue to support students and assist with cases through your choice of teleconference , zoom, or in-person appointments. We can be reached at sls@ufsa....

Homepage - studentlegalservices.ufl.edu 07/31/2023

Parents and students, UF Student Legal Services has been informed that UFORA is attempting to get students to sign a new addendum. DO NOT SIGN THIS ADDENDUM. You will waive very important rights. They cannot force you to sign. Please contact studentlegalservices.ufl.edu before you do anything.

Homepage - studentlegalservices.ufl.edu Open during regular business hours The Student Legal Services Office in the Reitz Union is now open during regular business hours. SLS staff will continue to support students and assist with cases through your choice of teleconference , zoom, or in-person appointments. We can be reached at sls@ufsa....

Homepage - studentlegalservices.ufl.edu 07/10/2023

UF Student Legal Services is aware that several newly constructed student complexes around campus will not be ready for Fall move-in. If you are one of the affected students and you have questions about your legal rights, please apply for confidential and FREE services at our website.

Homepage - studentlegalservices.ufl.edu Open during regular business hours The Student Legal Services Office in the Reitz Union is now open during regular business hours. SLS staff will continue to support students and assist with cases through your choice of teleconference , zoom, or in-person appointments. We can be reached at sls@ufsa....

06/05/2023

UF Student Legal Services is aware of a new landlord-tenant law which will go into effect on July 1st and may affect how fees and security deposits are handled in written lease agreements. Many students have already signed lease agreements for the 2023-2024 school year. Please note that your landlord cannot now make you sign a new lease agreement based upon the new law. Once a lease is signed by both parties, it cannot be changed unless both parties agree. If you find yourself facing this issue, please contact us for assistance.

05/05/2023

UF Student Legal Services would like to congratulate all graduating UF students! You've worked hard, you've earned it. All success to you in life.

01/17/2023

Students remember UF Student Legal Services if you need help with anything! That’s right, you have free attorneys who are ready help. Have a great semester!

01/09/2023

Our UF SLS legal research internship application for Spring 2023 is now open to interested students. Please visit our website and see the Involvement Opportunities page.

01/06/2023

Students and Parents, from UF Student Legal Services- Happy New Year and welcome to Spring 2023! It's always great to be a Florida Gator! We wish you all succes in your academics and life in general.
Please remember that you have FREE attorneys to serve you. So, if you need assistance with landlord-tenant matters, if your student group needs to open a bank account, if you need a health care power of attorney, or if you need a myriad of other legal services, we're here and we're ready to help. You can apply for services on our website at studentlegalservices.ufl.edu. Go Gators!

11/16/2022

Subleasing v. Assigning

I see lots of posts on various FB groups by parents and college students seeking to “sublease” an apartment unit. What exactly does “sublease” mean? Is it your best option? Just as importantly, are you legally allowed to do it?

One definition of a sublease is: “A sublease is a lease by the lessee of an estate to a third person, conveying all or part of the estate for a shorter term than that for which the lessee holds originally.” Huh? Did you get that? Yeah, me neither.

In normal-speak, a sublease happens like this: a tenant who is in a lease contract with a landlord for some reason needs to move out. That tenant then enters into another contract with a third person to move into the unit and pay rent. Now, pay particular attention to one important fact. The original tenant is still contractually bound to the landlord even after subleasing the unit. That means if the new sub-tenant damages the place or fails to pay rent, the landlord can still look to the original tenant for payment. That’s a pretty big risk, especially when you consider that most students are usually only looking to sublease for a few months.

Is there a better option? There is indeed. It’s called an assignment. The original tenant assigns (i.e., gives up) her remaining interest in the lease agreement to another person (the assignee). That person contracts directly with the landlord and the original tenant is completely out of the lease agreement with no further obligation.

What about the landlord? What say do they have in all this? A lot. Most lease agreements for properties which rent to college students contain a provision which says a tenant cannot assign, sublease, or otherwise transfer their rights under a lease agreement without the landlord’s permission. That’s the “law” which applies between the parties, and, in my experience, courts will uphold those provisions.

So, before you do anything, check with your landlord about assigning your room/apartment. In my experience, most of them are really good about allowing assignments in return for a fee of around $200-$300. That way, you know you will be completely out and have no further legal obligation under the lease.

Share your stories/cautionary tales and add to the collective wisdom!

10/18/2022

We are proud to be welcoming many new ambassadors to the SLS team and having great ambassadors return. Our ambassadors professionally represent SLS to the UF community, working on recruitment, outreach, and communications.
Congratulations ambassadors! Let’s make this year a great one!
🐊

10/05/2022

It's great to be a Florida Gator!

Photos from Student Legal Services's post 04/12/2022

Student Legal Tabling for the Pet Palooza event!!

Photos from Student Legal Services's post 03/15/2022

Happy Women’s History Month Gators! Swipe to see the woman attorney we’re highlighting this month.

03/14/2022

Katrina first joined SLS as a Student Ambassador in March 2019 and later became a Student Assistant in August 2019. She is currently in her senior year at UF pursuing a triple major in economics, political science, and Spanish, and she is also on the pre-law track. Katrina's favorite aspects of working at SLS include serving the office's diverse student clientele, receiving mentorship from the office staff, and gaining experience in a legal setting.

Photos from Student Legal Services's post 03/02/2022

Safety Fair🧡💙🧡💙

03/02/2022

UF Spring Safety Fair!!!!

Photos from Student Legal Services's post 02/21/2022

Student Legal Services honoring Black History Month!

02/14/2022

Happy Valentines Day from Our Team at SLS!❤️💖❤️💖

02/09/2022

Kennedy has been with SLS since September 2020, and she is currently an undergraduate student at UF studying psychology and African American studies and is also on the pre-law track. Kennedy’s favorite parts of SLS include getting to watch the attorneys advocate for students in a wide array of legal issues as well as getting to interact with the other staff in the office.

12/10/2021

students taking advantage of FREE notary services her at UF Student Legal 🐊

Photos from Student Legal Services's post 12/10/2021
Photos from Student Legal Services's post 12/10/2021

Free Legal Services!! Here to serve our students!! Go Gators 🐊

11/10/2021

With Fall 2022 leases currently underway, check out today’s legal tidbit on some tips for finding an apartment! 🏘📝⚖️

Want your practice to be the top-listed Law Practice in Gainesville?
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Videos (show all)

With Fall 2022 leases currently underway, check out today’s legal tidbit on some tips for finding an apartment! 🏘📝⚖️
What turns a regular traffic citation into a criminal traffic citation? Today’s legal tidbit will tell you all about it!...
Check out part 2 of our legal tidbit about auto insurance! 🚗⚖️
Thinking of getting car insurance or interested in how it works? Check out part 1 of our legal tidbit for automobile ins...
What counts as resisting arrest? Today’s legal tidbit discusses the most common types and their consequences🙅⚖️
Interested in applying for services from SLS? Here’s how!💡💻

Telephone

Address


655 Reitz Union Drive, Suite 3500
Gainesville, FL
32611

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Other Lawyers & Law Firms in Gainesville (show all)
A. McDonald Law Office A. McDonald Law Office
309 NE 1st Street
Gainesville, 32601

Practicing primarily in the areas of Criminal Defense, Probate, Mortgage Foreclosure Defense and Family Law in Florida.

Burke Law Burke Law
5203 SW 91 Terrace, Suite F
Gainesville, 32608

Burke Law helps clients organize and plan their business and/or estate. Services assess liability, protect assets, plan for dissolution, and enhance sustainability. Please visit ww...

Folds & Walker, LLC Folds & Walker, LLC
527 E. University Avenue
Gainesville, 32601

Full-service law firm fulfilling the legal needs of individuals, families, and businesses.

Law Firm of Taren Lane Delisle Law Firm of Taren Lane Delisle
14 East University Avenue, Suite 210
Gainesville, 32601

Private practice full-service law firm. We are here to help you every step of the way. Taren Lane Delisle, P.A.

Stripling Mediation  Attorneys-Mediators-Arbitrators Stripling Mediation Attorneys-Mediators-Arbitrators
106 NW 2nd Avenue
Gainesville, 32601

The mediation counsel at Stripling Mediation are highly skilled and experienced in providing alternative dispute resolution services.

Yong Oh Attorney at Law, P.A. Yong Oh Attorney at Law, P.A.
101 SE 2nd Place, Suite 201N
Gainesville, 32601

Small Business ▪ Landlord/Tenant ▪ Criminal Defense ▪ Immigration

Michael W Connors, PA Elder & Special Needs Law Michael W Connors, PA Elder & Special Needs Law
9410 SW 35th Lane
Gainesville, 33408

Mr. Connors served on the Committee which drafted the definition and related rules relating to the specialization of Elder Law for the Florida Bar. The Florida Bar adopted this def...

Gonzalo Law Gonzalo Law
747 SW 2nd Avenue Suite 190c
Gainesville, 32601

Withers Harvey, P.A. Withers Harvey, P.A.
1120 NW 8th Avenue
Gainesville, 32601

Withers Harvey, P.A. was created by founding partners Richard I. Withers, Esq. and Nicolas B. Harvey,

Bogin Munns & Munns P.A. - Gainesville Bogin Munns & Munns P.A. - Gainesville
2700 NW 43rd Street, Ste C
Gainesville, 32606

Bogin, Munns & Munns is a full-service law firm serving Central Florida for nearly 40 years.

Bart Scovill, PLC Bart Scovill, PLC
8031 Cooper Creek Boulevard , Suite 101
Gainesville, 34201

Since 1993 we have served the Sun Coast of Florida in the areas of Wills, Trusts & Probate Law.

Ryan Gilbert Law Ryan Gilbert Law
Gainesville

Accident Attorney Specializing in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases in North Central Florida