Small investors can face big problems with securities investments, and there are few places they can turn to for help in upstate New York.

"There are almost no lawyers in the area who both practice securities law and represent the public," said William Jacobson, associate clinical professor at Cornell Law School.

That situation will change in January 2008, when Cornell Law School will open a Securities Law Clinic to provide legal services to small investors. Jacobson will take the lead as the clinic's director.

"Bill Jacobson is a skilled attorney with extensive experience in securities law," said Stewart J. Schwab, the Allan R. Tessler Dean of Cornell Law School. "I am pleased that Cornell students will have such a valuable clinical opportunity in this field."

Services will include evaluation of whether a client was sold an inappropriate security and additional legal representation if the claim requires arbitration. Public education is another focus, said Jacobson.

"The idea is to educate people, so that when they're approached to buy an illegal investment, they'll ask the right questions," he said. At the same time, the clinic will give Cornell law students valuable hands-on experience interviewing potential clients, assessing their claims, preparing pleadings and negotiating settlements. The clinic is part of a course in which students will study securities law and arbitration.

To set up an appointment with the Securities Law Clinic at Cornell Law School, potential clients can call (607) 254-8270 or visit the Securities Law Clinic's Web page at http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/academics/clinicalprogram/securities-law/index.cfm.