Page 6 - Briefcase Volume 36 Number 2

THE

PEOPLE’S LAWYER

After nearly four decades of educating consumers about select specific subjects in which they have a particular interest.
their basic legal rights on television, in newspaper columns, For example, he said, a viewer could select “Scams and Rip-offs,”
radio, books and a popular “law school” program, “The People’s which would explain provisions of the Deceptive Trade Practices
Lawyer” is winding down his practice. Act. Classes will be taught by Alderman and other legal experts,
Richard M. Alderman, professor emeritus at the University of and will be updated as required by changes in the law.
Houston Law Center, has written his final “Know Your Rights” Regardless of platform, Alderman has always stressed that
column, which had been published weekly by more than 30 he is arming people with information about their basic legal
newspapers statewide since 1981. rights, not advice on how to resolve specific disputes. One of
“I have always been proud of how it was received,” he said in his favorite phrases in promoting The People’s Law School is,
announcing his decision. “But as with any endeavor, there comes “When it comes to the law, knowledge really is power.”
a time to end it. My retirement to Santa Fe has made it harder to “I remember when I started at Channel 2, the anchorman,
solicit and receive questions, and my travel plans often interfere Ron Stone, asked me, ‘What’s your goal?’ I said, ‘My goal is to
with sending the column out on a regular basis.” teach people about the law, and I guess if I’m successful, I will put
Over the years, Alderman estimated myself out of business.’ I guess I didn’t
he has responded to more than 7,000 do it very well, because I did it for more
questions from readers of his column. “When it comes to than 30 years,” he joked.
Many of those questions and answers Alderman conceded that after so
are republished in his book, “Know Your the law, knowledge many years of fielding legal questions,
Rights by The People’s Lawyer,” which he the issues and answers tend to be
first published in 1981 and is now in its really is power.” repetitive — landlord/tenant disputes,
9th edition, including one in Spanish. consumer rights, debt collection,
A familiar figure to Houston-area TV wills and probate — while others are
watchers, Alderman ended his weekly somewhat predictable, “depending on
broadcast, “The People’s Lawyer,” in 2014, after airing thousands what is going on at the time” — for example, hurricane and flood
of segments and responding to countless viewer questions in 33 damage questions.
years on the air. The stories ran during the newscasts on KPRC “People usually don’t pay attention to the law until they have
Channel 2 from 1981 until 1991 when he moved to KTRK a problem,” he said of recurring complaints, and sometimes
Channel 13. At various times he also hosted a half hour show on it happens even to those who are paying attention. “I had my
Channel 2 and an hour-long “Know Your Rights” talk show on identity stolen a while ago,” he said, “and even though I knew
KUHT Channel 8. From 1990 until 2007, he produced a state- everything I should do to prevent it and how to remedy it, it is
wide syndicated TV spot entitled “It’s the Law.” Sponsored by still really hard to protect yourself.”
the Texas Young Lawyers, his stories ran in 14 Texas cities. Alderman’s efforts and expertise have been recognized by
Alderman has stepped away from print and broadcast the State Bar of Texas and the American Bar Association, which
formats, but he has plans to take his public outreach, “The have twice awarded him their highest honor — the Golden
People’s Law School,” online. The program, which he founded Gavel. Another highlight came when the Houston City Council
in 1991, has drawn more than 55,000 “students” to the Saturday and then-Mayor Lee P. Brown proclaimed April 15, 2000 as
morning sessions on the Law Center campus and around the “Richard M. Alderman Day” in honor of his public service. He
state where they learn about their legal rights from volunteer also has often been quoted in national publications and has
professors, lawyers and judges. Instead of attending “classes” on appeared on numerous television programs, including “The
a wide-array of subjects ranging from landlord-tenant disputes Oprah Winfrey Show.”
to wills, consumers will be able to learn at their convenience After 41 years at the Law Center, teaching and serving as
24/7 on the Internet, he said. associate dean and interim dean as well as director of the Center
Although still in the development stage, Alderman plans to for Consumer Law, Alderman is finding in retirement “There
start making videos this fall and completing the project by next isn’t enough time in the day to do all the things you want to do,”
summer. The online version of “The People’s Law School” will including gardening, tennis, travel, his support of Big Brothers
provide short sessions, instead of the 50-minute classes of the Big Sisters, and activities with his “little brother.”
“live” version. People will be able to watch all of the sessions or “Retirement,” he concluded, “is the best job I’ve ever had.” ■

6 UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER