Center for Law and Social Responsibility

Speaker Event at Harvard Book Store

2012-01-24T09:23:00.001-05:00

Joshua Rubenstein, the Northeast Regional Director of Amnesty International USA, will interview Ambassador David Scheffer about his new book, All the Missing Souls, at the Harvard Book Store on Thursday evening, January 26th, at 7 p.m. Click here for more information on the book.

The program is free and open to the public.

Institute for Justice Law Student Conference

2012-01-20T13:29:00.000-05:00

Greetings from the Institute for Justice! Founded in 1991, the Institute for Justice engages in cutting-edge litigation and advocacy both in the court of law and in the court of public opinion on behalf of individuals whose most basic rights are denied by the government-like the right to earn and honest living, private property rights, the right to free speech and educational choice.

The Institute for Justice is now accepting applications for 2012 Law Student Conference. IJ's annual law student conference is open to first and second year law students will be held Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 24, 2012 at the George Washington University in downtown Washington, DC.

Law students interested in applying for the annual law student conference can find the online application at www.ij.org/students. The application deadline is Thursday, March 1, 2012.
For more information on the Institute for Justice visit www.ij.org/students.

2012 RebLaw Conference

2012-01-20T13:27:00.000-05:00

Registration is OPEN for the 2012 RebLaw ("Rebellious Lawyering") Conference! RebLaw 2012 will be held at Yale Law School on the weekend of February 17-18.

You can register here.

This year's keynote speaker will be Gerald Lopez, UCLA law professor and author of "Rebellious Lawyering: One Chicano's Vision of Progressive Law Practice."

Our keynote panel on "The Criminalization of Poverty" will feature Andrea Ritchie, co-author of "Queer (In)Justice: The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States" and coordinator of Streetwise and Safe; Andrew Friedman, co-founding director of Make the Road New York; and Lisa Daugaard, supervisor of the Seattle Defender Association's Racial Disparity Project.

We will have nearly two dozen panels and workshops, including: *Enforcing Labor Rights in a Transnational World * Mobilizing for Sexual and Reproductive Justice * Strategic Lawyering for Collective Entities: Models, Methods and Movement Building * Fighting the Monopoly on Medicine * Fallout from the Wal-Mart Decision * Crime, But Not Punishment: Restorative Justice As An Alternative to Criminal Prosecution in Domestic & International Contexts * The Work JDs Do in Education Reform * Race and Voting * Prison Re-Entry * Sovereignty, Identity, and Genocide: U.S. Law and Native Bodies * Transnational LGBT Advocacy * Confronting Big Food * Juvenile Justice * Rethinking the Public Interest Law Market * Union organizing * Environmental Justice * and more!

You can find more details on the conference at www.yale.edu/reblaw.

Annual Health Lawyer Career Event

2012-01-20T13:19:00.002-05:00

Annual Health Lawyer Career Event- Boston Bar Association
Tuesday Jan 24; 4:00 to 6:00

Annual Health Lawyer Career Event, with a twist – hear from young and experienced lawyers who entered their legal careers in a less traditional way and have established exciting, diverse careers. The panel is joined by Patricia Hennessy who will discuss interview skills, networking opportunities and offer advice to new graduates, soon to be graduates and those who may be interested in changing the focus of their careers. Moderated by Kevin Outterson from Boston University, this evening will be a great opportunity to learn from experience and meet the best and the brightest.

Moderator: Kevin Outterson, Northwestern University;Associate Professor, Boston University.
Career Coach: Patricia Hennessy, Harvard Law School;Hennessy Consulting Group, Career Management Consultant.

Health Lawyers:
Alicia Christensen, New England School of Law (2009); Conflict of Interest Specialist, Office of General Counsel,Children's Hospital Boston.

Dianne Pledgie, Northeastern School of Law (2005);Compliance Officer and Manager of Government Grants, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program.

Monica ValdesLupi. Boston University, MPH (1998); Pennsylvania State University, The Dickinson School of Law (1997); Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Health.

Josh Greenberg, Northeastern School of Law (1993);Vice President, Government Relations, Children's Hospital Boston

Cover Retreat- Stipend Application Extension

2012-01-18T15:37:00.000-05:00

Stipend applications are due to the CSLR Fellow Sarah Herbert, sarah.m.herbert@nesl.edu, January 20th, 2012, and must include a current official transcript, resume, and one page letter detailing experience, commitment and sources of interest. Interviews will be held the week of January 16. 1L students are welcome to apply and CLSR will request a transcript at a later date for those 1Ls that we interview.

Immigrant's Rights Summer Fellowship

2012-01-18T10:15:00.002-05:00

Micahel Maggio Immigrants’ Rights Fellowship

AILA is one of three organizations that funds the Michael Maggio Immigrants' Rights Fellowship, a summer Fellowship that awards $4,000 to a law student to work on an immigration related student-initiated project. The Michael Maggio Immigrants' Rights Summer Fellowship was established jointly in 2009 by the America Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CHRCL), and the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIP/NLG), to commemorate the life and legal contributions of Michael Maggio. Interested students must submit a project proposal with an organization willing to host the student for 10 weeks and provide a $1,500 stipend. The $1,500 amount may be paid by the host organization or may be provided by the law student through other means, e.g., law school public interest funding, independent fundraising, etc. The Maggio Immigrants' Rights Fellowship will provide an additional $2,500 stipend for a total award of $4,000. Applications will be accepted through February 1, 2012 and the Fellow will be notified by March 1, 2012. To learn more about the Fellowship visit www.maggiofellowship.org.

Visit CSO Simplicity Site, Job ID 7122

Staff Attorney Position- Catholic Social Service, VAWA and Asylum Program

2012-01-12T13:57:00.001-05:00

POSITION Staff Attorney (Active Member of the Bar)
Program Coordinator (Accredited Representative)
AGENCY Catholic Social Service - VAWA and Asylum Program
STATUS Exempt

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Responsible for providing legal representation for immigrant victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in Pima, Pinal, Yuma, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties, who are seeking immigration relief through United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Immigration Court, or the Board of Immigration Appeals. Responsible for managing, coordinating and supervising the work of legal staff, interns, and volunteer attorneys. May perform other duties as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Represent immigrant victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in Pima, Pinal, Yuma, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties in seeking immigration relief through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration Court, and Board of Immigration Appeals.
• Prepare all legal documents for USCIS, including, but not limited to VAWA self-petitions and U Visa petitions and appeals for immigrant victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
• Prepare and submit or coordinate with CSS’ administrative staff and/or the program’s Advisory Board regarding the preparation and submission of grant applications, proposals, progress and other applications/reports necessary to maintain and/or expand the VAWA and U Visa program
• Prepare and submit regular quarterly Legal Assistance for Victims grant reports to the Department of Justice
• Ensure compliance with the terms of the Department of Justice’s Legal Assistance for Victims grant
• Supervise staff including, but not limited to, the paralegals, volunteer attorneys, and legal interns
• Identify and pursue training needs for legal staff
• Coordinate and manage caseload of all VAWA and U Visa clients in Pima, Pinal, Yuma, Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties.
• Identify and pursue training needs for staff, and remain current on all immigration law matters relating to caseload
• Maintain collaborative relationships with Southern Arizona Legal Aid (“SALA”)
• Maintain collaborative relationships with Southern Arizona Battered Immigrant Women Project (“BIWP”) partners and others as appropriate, in Pima, Pinal, Yuma, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties
• Develop and oversee all office procedures relating to the management of legal cases
• Evaluate claims of potential applicants for asylum and assist in referral of such cases to pro bono lawyers
• Maintain professional contacts in local and national immigration community

The above statement reflects the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Hold an active membership in any state or federal bar or standing as a Board of Immigration Appeals Accredited Representative
• Strong organizational, oral, and written skills
• Strong skills in legal research, analysis, and writing
• Ability to interact professionally and negotiate effectively with opposing counsel
• Professional demeanor
• Proficiency in MS-Excel, MS-Word, Immigration Pro, and Lexis Nexis.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) both written and verbal
• One year supervisory experience
• One year experience in immigration law
• Fingerprint Clearance
• Maintain valid AZ Driver license and insurance

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Additional years of VAWA and U Visa immigration law experience

To Apply: Visit CSO Simplicity Site, Job ID 7111

Summer Internship with Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

2012-01-12T13:48:00.002-05:00

About MA Appleseed:
The Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice seeks a law student intern for the Summer of 2012. We welcome applications from law students with creativity and personal initiative who are interested in developing systemic responses to pressing issues in Massachusetts. The position will involve legal and factual research and writing. The summer intern will be supervised directly by the Executive Director. The summer intern will work closely with the Center’s staff, board members, volunteer lawyers and other activists. The internship runs for ten (10) weeks. A selected student will be supported by a stipend from the Elisabeth M. Todaro Fund.

Current Projects:
The MA Appleseed’s current projects and priorities include: Education and School Discipline Our signature project is entitled “Keep Kids In Class,” whereby we examine the intersection of school discipline, zero tolerance and youth entering the juvenile justice system. The goal is to mitigate the effects of school discipline proceedings on drop-out rates and its connection with juvenile delinquency. We will be publishing a report within the next few weeks entitled, “Keep Kids In Class: New Approaches to School Discipline,” in conjunction with a conference. We are actively developing new projects to build on the conclusions and recommendations that grow out of this important work. Education of Homeless Children The federal McKinney-Vento Act entitles children who are homeless to a free, appropriate public education. The Act requires that schools remove any barriers to their enrollment, attendance, and success in school. Specifically, school districts are mandated to waive residency requirements, to eliminate requirements to produce medical records, such as immunizations, or academic records prior to enrollment, and to pay for transportation costs. MA Appleseed is developing a new project involving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth. Unaccompanied homeless youth are adolescents who are homeless for the purposes of McKinney-Vento and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. This includes, but is not limited to, children and youth who are living in runaway shelters; living in abandoned buildings, on the streets or in other inadequate accommodations; staying on the couches of friends or relatives; or denied housing by their parents. While the number of homeless youth is growing, unaccompanied homeless youth are often under-counted and under-reported. MA Appleseed co-authored legislation intended to raise awareness of this problem and create a forum within which to develop strategies to assist this group of youth. The legislation is focused on housing stability, educational stability and developing best practices. MA Appleseed is one of seventeen public interest law centers nationwide in the Appleseed pro bono justice center network. MA Appleseed promotes equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. MA Appleseed does not provide direct legal representation to individuals. Applications. We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We will conduct interviews during the first half of February 2012.

To apply please visit the CSO Simplicity Site, Job ID 7107

Rappaport Deadline Quickly Approaching

2012-01-12T12:05:00.002-05:00

The Rappaport Center's deadline for Fellowship Applications is Thursday January 19th 2012. For more information on this fellowship and how to apply please visit rapportcenter.org/fellows.

About the Fellowship:The Rappaport Fellows Program in Law and Public Policy brings together gifted students from each of the six Boston-area law schools (Boston College Law School, Boston University School of Law, Harvard Law School, New England Law|Boston, Northeastern University School of Law, and Suffolk University Law School) to work with top public policymakers in a ten-week paid summer internship on issues that affect residents of Greater Boston and Massachusetts.

Reminder: Apply for Cover Public Interest Retreat Stipends!

2012-01-06T09:31:00.002-05:00

Stipend applications are due to the CSLR Fellow Sarah Herbert, sarah.m.herbert@nesl.edu, January 13, 2012, and must include a current official transcript, resume, and one page letter detailing experience, commitment and sources of interest. Interviews will be held the week of January 16. 1L students are welcome to apply and CLSR will request a transcript at a later date for those 1Ls that we interview.

Legal Aid Society of Cleveland 2012 Summer Associate Program

2012-01-06T09:28:00.002-05:00

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (Legal Aid) is looking for 12 - 15 dedicated, hard-working, and public interest minded students to work in Legal Aid’s four Northeast Ohio offices for our 2012 summer associate program. Legal Aid summer associates commit to working at least 11 weeks. Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm focused on areas of consumer rights, disability, domestic violence, education, employment, family law, foreclosure, health, housing, immigration, public benefits, and tax.

Summer associates work in different areas of the law but all receive the opportunity to learn how to be excellent poverty lawyers. Generally, summer associates will interview clients, draft court pleadings, research relevant legal issues, attend and assist with court hearings and trials, and gather and analyze evidence. In addition, Legal Aid summer associates will participate in weekly trainings on substantive areas of poverty law and observe oral arguments in the 8th District Court of Appeals, meeting afterward with the judges involved. Brown bag lunches with current Legal Aid lawyers and community members including judges, politicians, and leaders of local non-profit agencies are also held on a weekly basis. Student Qualifications: Legal Aid summer associate applicants should have completed their first or second year of law school prior to the summer of 2012. Special consideration is given to students with a demonstrated commitment to serving disadvantaged people and communities. If your resume does not reflect a commitment to public service due to personal financial constraints, please provide an explanation in
your cover letter. Law students who speak Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information on how to apply please visit the CSO Simplicity Site, Job ID 7076

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. Temporary Attorney Position

2012-01-06T09:23:00.001-05:00

The Temporary Program Attorney coordinates and monitors volunteer faculty in planning, preparing, presenting and evaluating continuing legal education seminars for attorneys. The Program Attorney reports to the Director of Programs.

Qualifications
• Law school graduate with solid academic record
• Experience in law practice (preferably in business and commercial law, employment law and/or real estate law)
• Excellent interpersonal skills, a public spirit, friendly demeanor, and sense of humor
• Excellent speaking and writing skills
• Demonstrated administrative, organizational and management skills with attention to details
• Experience working under and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment; strong work ethic; independence; ability to juggle multiple priorities
• Creativity, energy, resourcefulness as a legal curriculum planner with the ability to capture the imagination and energies of faculty and staff
• The position requires covering numerous seminar planning meetings, occasionally including evenings, and requires occasional in-state car travel, including early mornings and evenings
• The position requires the ability to deal directly and frequently with lawyers and judges and the ability to motivate, persuade and dissuade them diplomatically, and the willingness to foster and maintain constructive long-term relationships
• The position requires sensitivity to organizational and interpersonal dynamics and entails intensive, day-to-day communication and cooperation with an experienced staff of non-lawyer specialists

Job Responsibilities
1. Is responsible for developing content, selecting teaching methodology, recruiting volunteer faculty and compiling written materials for assigned seminars; approximately 25-30 programs per 3-month term
2. Drafts correspondence, seminar brochures and other materials necessary to plan, promote, present, and evaluate seminars
3. # Leads faculty meetings/conference calls to communicate program logistics and help structure program schedule, content, and organization
4. Works with faculty to ensure appropriate program materials are assembled in a timely manner
5. Administers seminars held on-site, as assigned
6. Occasionally travels throughout Massachusetts to supervise the administration of off-site seminars
7. Fosters cooperative working relationship with support and professional staff
8. Attends monthly staff meetings
9. Works with Marketing Manager to review and edit select Marketing e-mails and brochures
10. Responds to faculty and registrant inquiries concerning MCLE services and products
11. Represents the interests of MCLE and explains its policies and practices
12. Assumes additional administrative duties as assigned
13. Oversees program assistant’s tasks to ensure appropriate progress and accurate, timely completion of responsibilities
14. Actively communicates and reports status of tasks to Director of Programs weekly
15. Prepares detailed update report of status of responsibilities at the conclusion of the temporary 3.5-month period for both the Director of Programs and the Program Attorney returning to the position

To apply please visit the CSO Simplicity Site, Job ID #7102

Senior Partners for Justice Internship

2012-01-06T09:17:00.002-05:00

The Pro Bono Internship for the spring semester at the Suffolk, Norfolk, and Middlesex County Probate and Family Courts is about to begin. The internship places law students in the area with courtroom staff as they assist petitioners and clients process and files their claims and petitions. The internship is an excellent opportunity for a student with an interest in guardianship or family law to understand legal procedure, interact with clients, and get a feel for how the legal system plays out in the courthouse. All participants in the internship program will receive support from the Senior Partners staff and invitations to trainings, luncheons, and other events through Senior Partners and VLP.

For information on how to apply please visit the CSO Simplicity Site, Job ID #7094

For more information on Senior Partners for Justice, please visit its website.

National Association for Law Placement (NALP) Opportunities

2012-01-06T09:11:00.002-05:00

Please visit the PSLawNet for more information on how to apply for these two fellowships and paid summer internship!

1. The 2012-13 PSLawNet Fellowship;
2. The 2012-14 NALP/Street Law Legal Diversity Pipeline Program Fellowship;
3. The Summer 2012 PSLawNet Publications Coordinator.

FREE Webinar for the Summer Public Interest Job Search

2012-01-06T09:07:00.002-05:00

This two-part webinar series, cosponsored by NALP and Equal Justice Works, will provide law students with insight on the key elements of the summer public-interest job application process. Attorneys with years of application review experience will highlight do’s and don’ts; explain how and why public interest application materials may substantively differ from law firm materials; and explore the dynamics of personal interactions in interviews and networking situations.

Part One: Wed., 1/25/12 at 3pm Eastern – Best Practices in Drafting Cover Letters and Resumes. Reserve your Webinar seat now! Presenters:

Steve Grumm, Director of Public Service Initiatives, NALP
Stuart Smith, Director of Legal Recruitment, New York City Law Department
Nicole Vikan, Assistant Director for Public Interest & Government Careers, Georgetown University Law Center

Part Two: Wed., 2/1/12 at 12pm (Noon) Eastern – Best Practices in Interviewing and In-person Networking. Reserve your Webinar seat now! Presenters:

Nita Mazumder, Program Manager for Law School Relations, Equal Justice Works
Nicole Simmons, Career Counselor, The University of Texas School of Law
David Zisser, Associate Counsel, The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Job Opportunity with the Center for Public Health and Tobacco Policy

2011-12-21T16:05:00.001-05:00

The Center for Public Health and Tobacco Policy (Center) at New England Law | Boston’s Center for Law and Social Responsibility is seeking current day or evening students who have completed their first full year to work part-time during the spring semester.

The Center supports the New York State Department of Health, the Vermont Department of Public Health and local communities in both states in the development of public policies aimed at reducing tobacco use and protecting the health of non-smokers. The Center examines the efficacy, feasibility and legality of tobacco-control policies and provides guidance on language and implementation. Frequent legal issues include First Amendment conflicts, federal preemption & questions of equal protection. The Center is directed by Professor Micah Berman.

Duties:

•Research legal and policy initiatives.

•Draft summary fact sheets, memoranda and policy reports.

•Design presentations and printed materials.

•Provide administrative assistance, including workshop preparation and logistics.

•Other tasks as assigned by the Center’s director, assistant director, or staff attorneys.

Preference will be given to those students showing a sincere interest in public health law or public interest law.

To apply visit the CSO Simplicity Site, job ID 7077

Judge Rotenberg Educational Center- Volunteer Opportunity

2011-12-16T12:47:00.002-05:00

Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteer opportunity at the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center. This is an area special education/residential school seeking law student for its Human Rights Committee. Immediate availability. No experience necessary. Great opportunity to gain valuable legal experience in the human services field. The Human Rights Committee assists to affirm, promote, and protect the human and civil rights of students/clients served and to monitor and review the activities of the special education/residential school with regard to the human rights of students/clients, in accordance with Massachusetts regulations.

For more information please visit the CSO Simplicity site.

Summer Clerkship at the Institute for Justice

2011-12-16T12:37:00.002-05:00

The Institute for Justice is now accepting applications for 2012 Summer Clerkships. Summer clerkships are open to first and second year law students and are available at the Institute for Justice's headquarters in the DC metro area and at our chapter offices in Austin, TX; Miami, FL; Minneapolis, MN; Seattle, WA; and Tempe, AZ. Please visit the CSO Simplicity site to apply. Students are strongly advised to apply by January 5, 2012.

About Institute for Justice: Founded in 1991, the Institute for Justice engages in cutting-edge litigation and advocacy both in the court of law and in the court of public opinion on behalf of individuals whose most basic rights are denied by the government-like the right to earn and honest living, private property rights, the right to free speech and educational choice.

Volunteer Opportunity with the Human Rights and Immigration Law Project

2011-12-09T11:26:00.001-05:00

The Center of Law and Social Responsibility’s Human Rights and Immigration Law Project is looking for 1- 2 students to work with former Center Fellow and New England Law graduate Adonia Simpson on a pro bono asylum appeal. The assignment would run from mid-January to early April. Interested students should send in a paragraph explaining why they are interested and include their qualifications and experiences. The deadline for applications is December 15th. Please e-mail them to sarah.m.herbert@nesl.edu.

Come Support Student Testimony on Air Quality!

2011-12-07T15:15:00.002-05:00

The Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP) is an Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) program that trains young people environmental awareness, social justice and community organizing skills. REEP has been working to bring awareness to air quality issues for more than a decade. One of REEP's current campaigns is to educate decision-makers in the City of Boston about the need for a city-wide solution to diesel emissions. REEP's goal is passage of a diesel emissions reduction ordinance by the Boston City Council in 2012. REEP in partnership with City Councilors Felix G. Arroyo and Stephen Murphy are preparing for a public hearing on Tuesday, December 20 at 5:00 p.m. at Boston City Hall.

The order for the public hearing discusses diesel exhaust particle pollution as a clear and present health risk to the people of Boston, including asthma and asthma-related symptoms. The public hearing is a great opportunity for law students to see a youth-led campaign that involves a legal strategy (passing a city ordinance). Following the hearing, Councilors Arroyo and Murphy intend to file a diesel emissions reduction ordinance.

Your presence is requested at the public hearing to support those who testify about the health and climate impacts of clean construction and diesel emission reduction. The hearing will be held:
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
5:00 p.m.
Iannella Chambers, 5th Floor of Boston City Hall

Cover Public Interest Retreat- CLSR Stipend Application

2011-12-02T13:19:00.000-05:00

CLSR invites applications for stipends to attend the 25th Annual Robert M. Cover Public Interest Law Retreat, which will be held March 2-4, 2012 in Peterborough, New Hampshire(http://www.law.yale.edu/news/coverretreat12.htm). The Retreat brings together public interest law students and practitioners for an engaging weekend of learning, networking, and fun. New England Law | Boston students have attended for the past two years and found the experience stimulating and thought-provoking, as well as a great chance to develop opportunities for summer and post-graduate work.

Stipend applications are due to the CLSR Fellow Sarah Herbert, sarah.m.herbert@nesl.edu, January 13, 2012, and must include a current official transcript, resume, and one page letter detailing experience, commitment and sources of interest. Interviews will be held the week of January 16. 1L students are welcome to apply and CLSR will request a transcript at a later date for those 1Ls that we interview.

Have a Green Holiday!

2011-12-01T15:36:00.003-05:00

In keeping with the Holiday Spirit here are a few sources on how you can keep your Holiday celebrations and shopping earth friendly!

EPA: Reducing Holiday Waste - Especially helpful are the tips on what to do with your Christmas Tree once the season is over!

Energy Star Labels - These can help you shop smart for whatever your winter or Holiday needs are!

Sierra Club- More helpful tips from one of the larger environmental groups out there.

PlanetGreen.com- Last but not least, fun videos and articles covering a wide array of topics on how to put a "green spin" on this season.

Enjoy the Holidays!

Vacancy Announcement: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

2011-12-01T14:48:00.005-05:00

Interested applicants may wish to touch base with Professor Haynes who was a UNHCR Protection Officer.

Vacancy Announcement

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking a Senior Protection Officer for its Regional Office in Washington, D.C.

TITLE: Senior Protection Officer
CATEGORY / GRADE: National Professional Officer, Grade D (NO-D)

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: One-year fixed-term with possibility of renewal

OTHER CONDITIONS: In accordance with UNHCR Staff Rules and Regulations. This post is based in Washington and is not subject to international rotation. Application is open to both internal and external candidates.

DUTIES:

Ensure protection of refugees, asylum-seekers and others of concern to UNHCR in the United States by developing and maintaining close relations with governments, NGOs, and other interested entities;
Promote the understanding of protection issues by ensuring the observance of internationally accepted or legally binding standards;
Plan and supervise the development, coordination, implementation and monitoring of protection activities;
Provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to all staff and ensure implementation of policy objectives and timely and appropriate response to reporting requirements;
Draft official UNHCR comments on proposed legislation and regulations; engage in policy discussions with government authorities, NGOs and relevant experts about protection issues to safeguard international legal standards;
Provide training to government and NGO counterparts on international refugee law and relationship with domestic asylum law;
Provide leadership, guidance and development opportunities to staff in the Legal Unit
Undertake other duties as required.

For more information on how to apply please visit the CSO Simplicity site, Job ID #7053.

The Refugee and Human Rights Clinic at U.C. Hastings Fellowship

2011-11-30T13:47:00.004-05:00

The Refugee and Human Rights Clinic (RHRC), in collaboration with the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), at U.C. Hastings is seeking applications for a two-year teaching fellowship (July 2012-June2014). The fellowship provides the opportunity to learn how to teach in a clinical setting. The fellow will work under the supervision of the RHRC Director, and will share in the full-range of responsibilities of teaching the RHRC, including co-teaching the clinic seminar, and supervising the clinical students' work.

Requirements:

Experience in asylum, immigration, or human rights law
Excellent academic record
Two to five years minimum practice experience, including some direct representation
Admission to a State bar
Excellent analytical and writing skills
Aptitude for student supervision
Prior teaching experience is a plus; and
bilingual ability in Spanish is desirable

Salary: Fellow will receive $50,000 per year with full benefits, which includes health, dental, and vision care insurance plans.

To Apply: Send resume, law school transcript, a writing sample, and a statement of interest by January 15, 2012. The statement should address: 1) why you are interested in this fellowship; (2) how your experiences make you particularly suitable to contribute to the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic; 3) your specific experience with asylum, or other immigration cases, and/or international human rights litigation or advocacy; 4) your professional goals and how this fellowship is related to your longer-term goals; 5) your understanding of the objectives of clinical teaching.

For more information on how to apply please visit the CSO Simplicity site, Job ID #7052.

International Law Writing Competition

2011-11-21T11:50:00.000-05:00

The Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law at the American University Washington College of Law and the American Society of International Law’s (ASIL) Lieber Society on the Law of Armed Conflict are pleased to announce the second annual International Humanitarian Law Student Writing Competition. The Competition seeks submissions of academic papers on the topic of international humanitarian law (IHL) from students currently enrolled in a law degree program in the United States or abroad. The purpose of the Competition is to enhance scholarship and deepen understanding among students in this important area of international law. The winning authors will be flown to Washington, DC to present their papers at a conference at American University Washington College of Law focused on emerging issues in IHL with a panel of expert professors and practitioners. In addition, winners will receive a complimentary registration to the ASIL 2012 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC on March 28-31, 2012 and a one-year ASIL student membership. Last year the Competition received nearly 50 submissions from 17 different countries.

To be eligible to make a submission, students must be enrolled in a law degree program at a US or foreign law school. Submissions must be unpublished academic papers on a topic within the scope of international humanitarian law. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:00 pm (noon) EST.

The Competition presents an invaluable opportunity for students, and we would appreciate your help in promoting it through a variety of avenues that you deem appropriate. Thank you in advance for your help with this endeavor.

For detailed rules and submission guidelines, please visit http://www.wcl.american.edu/humright/center/student_ihl_writing_competition.cfm.

Boston Human Rights Night

2011-11-21T09:22:00.002-05:00

The International Justice Resource Center (IJRC) attended our Public Interest Networking event and sent this invitation along for the New England Law community to attend its event below:

The International Justice Resource Center will be hosting Boston Human Rights Night on December 7, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. There will be an expert panel discussion (including Professor John Cerone), remarks from some of the country's leading human rights defenders, and a showcase of Boston area social justice organizations' work. More information is available at: http://humanrightsnight.eventbrite.com/.

For information on IJRC please visit its website.

Immigration Attorney Job Opening

2011-11-15T17:09:00.001-05:00

Represent immigrant victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in Pima, Pinal, Yuma, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties in seeking immigration relief through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration Court, and Board of Immigration Appeals.

Prepare all legal documents for USCIS, including, but not limited to VAWA self-petitions and U Visa petitions and appeals for immigrant victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Prepare and submit or coordinate with CSS’ administrative staff and/or the program’s Advisory Board regarding the preparation and submission of grant applications, proposals, progress and other applications/reports necessary to maintain and/or expand the VAWA and U Visa program

Prepare and submit regular quarterly Legal Assistance for Victims grant reports to the Department of Justice

Ensure compliance with the terms of the Department of Justice’s Legal Assistance for Victims grant

Supervise staff including, but not limited to, the paralegals, volunteer attorneys, and legal interns

Identify and pursue training needs for legal staff

Coordinate and manage caseload of all VAWA and U Visa clients in Pima, Pinal, Yuma, Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties.

Identify and pursue training needs for staff, and remain current on all immigration law matters relating to caseload

Maintain collaborative relationships with Southern Arizona Legal Aid (“SALA”)

Maintain collaborative relationships with Southern Arizona Battered Immigrant Women Project (“BIWP”) partners and others as appropriate, in Pima, Pinal, Yuma, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties

Develop and oversee all office procedures relating to the management of legal cases

Evaluate claims of potential applicants for asylum and assist in referral of such cases to pro bono lawyers

Maintain professional contacts in local and national immigration community

For more information and to apply online please visit www.ccs-soaz.org.

Staff Attorney Job Opening

2011-11-15T11:51:00.001-05:00

Tri-City Community Action Program (“Tri-CAP”) is a multi-service, anti-poverty agency serving Malden, Medford, Everett, and surrounding communities. Founded in 1978, Tri-CAP is organized to prevent the development and continuation of conditions that cause poverty or occur as a result of people living in poverty. Tri-CAP works through three agency divisions—Energy, Children and Family Services, and Advocacy and Community Services—to help low-income people meet their essential needs and take action to improve their lives.

Tri-CAP’s Advocacy and Community Services Division is seeking a Staff Attorney for the Pro Bono Legal Project. The Staff Attorney is responsible for housing law related services, including maintaining a substantial client caseload of landlord/tenant cases; providing community trainings to tenants, landlords, service providers, and volunteer attorneys participating in Tri-CAP’s legal housing initiatives; participating in and making him/herself available for other projects as determined by the Pro Bono Coordinator and funding sources. Responsibilities include maintaining a caseload; providing a variety of legal services to clients including housing law, bankruptcy, family law, and debt management; providing active and comprehensive case management; maintaining excellent records and files; cooperating fully with all funding representatives and consultants; and participating fully in program evaluations and policy development as required. This position is supervised by the Pro Bono Legal Project Coordinator.

For more information on qualifications, salary, and how to apply please visit the CSO Simplicity site, Job ID 7004.

Job Opportunity: Community Legal Aid

2011-11-10T13:40:00.000-05:00

TEMPORARY STAFF ATTORNEY

Community Legal Aid (CLA), a non-profit legal services program providing free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income and elderly clients in Central and Western Massachusetts, seeks an attorney to work for a one-year period on foreclosure matters for at-risk homeowners in the four western counties of Massachusetts. The attorney, whose position is funded by a one-year grant, will assess homeowner cases for fair lending violations, file cases for individual homeowners to prevent foreclosure, assist in the loan modification process, and help victims of mortgage rescue scams. In addition, the attorney will engage in intensive community outreach and education on fair lending, mortgage rescue schemes, and foreclosure defense strategies. The attorney will also assist in the preparation of periodic grant reports. It is anticipated that the attorney will be based in CLA’s Springfield office, but will also spend time in the program’s other western Mass. offices as clients’ needs dictate.

QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to Mass. Bar, or eligibility to sit for next Mass. Bar examination, or entitlement to practice under a Mass. practice rule is required. Experience in foreclosure prevention work desirable. Fluency in Spanish desirable. CLA offers a liberal fringe benefits package.

Send resumes to: Sarah Loy, Community Legal Aid, 405 Main Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01608-1735, or e-mail sloy@laccm.org. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Reminder: Immigration Law Job and Internship Opportunities

2011-11-07T11:38:00.002-05:00

Summer 2012 Fellow Position

Immigrant Law Group PC is a Portland, Oregon based firm engaged in strategic public interest civil rights litigation on behalf of immigrants, refugees, and their families. Their Summer Legal Intern will work in two different program areas: (1) Immigrant Impact Litigation and (2) Asylum Defense. This position is available to any second year or third year part time law students. For more information on how to apply please visit the CSO Simplicity site, job ID # 7002.

Georgetown Law's Asylum Clinical Teaching Fellowship

Georgetown University's Center for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) announces that it is now accepting applications for its annual fellowship program in clinical legal education. CALS will offer one lawyer a two year teaching fellowship (July 2012 June 2014), providing a unique opportunity to learn how to teach law in a clinical setting.

At CALS, our two fellows and faculty members work as colleagues, sharing responsibilities for designing and teaching classes, supervising law students in their representation of clients, selecting and grading students, administering the clinic, and all other matters. In addition, the fellow will undertake independent legal scholarship, conducting the research and writing to produce a law review article of publishable quality.

This fellowship is particularly suitable for lawyers with some degree of practice experience who now want to embark upon careers in law teaching. Most of our previous fellows are now teaching law or have done so for substantial portions of their careers.

Since 1995, CALS has specialized in immigration law, specifically in asylum practice, and our docket focuses on presenting asylum claims in immigration court. Applicants with experience in U.S. immigration law will therefore be given preference. The fellow must be a member of a bar at the start of the fellowship period.

The fellow will receive full tuition and fees in the LL.M. program at Georgetown University, and a stipend in excess of $53,000 in each of the two years. On successful completion of the requirements, the Fellow will be granted the degree of Master of Laws (Advocacy) with distinction.

For more information on how to apply please visit the CSO Simplicity Site, Job ID # 6975.

Public Service Leadership Panel

2011-11-03T13:25:00.001-04:00

EVENT DETAILS:
Leadership Is About Service: Public Service Leadership Advice for Law Students
Monday, November 7, 7 pm,
Pound Hall 335, 1563 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
Reception to follow

Panelists will talk about the concrete, implementable ways in which they have built the communities and forged the relationships needed to make changes for the public good, whether working for a legal services organization, a political campaign or government initiative, a grassroots community movement, or a private firm pro bono project.

Featuring:
Anna Dodson, Partner, Goodwin Procter LLP
Sam Levine, HLS ’12, Project No One Leaves and Foreclosure Task Force of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau
Bob Sable, Former Executive Director, Greater Boston Legal Services
Raquel Webster, Assistant Corporation Counsel, City of Boston Law Department

Public Interest Networking Event- Organizations Attending

2011-11-03T11:38:00.002-04:00

The Networking Event will take place November 10th in the Cherry Room from 6:30 pm to approximately 9:30 p.m., catering provided by Viga. Do not forget to RSVP to cso@nesl.edu !

Public Interest Law – A Night of Networking
Organizations Attending

Alternatives for Community and the Environment
Grey2k
Medical Legal Partnership
Legal Advocacy and Resource Center
Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association
Victim Rights Law Center
Domestic Violence Institute
Grassroots International
International Justice Resource Center
Massachusetts Appleseed
Community Legal Services and Counseling Center
National Lawyers Guild, MA Chapter
Committee for Public Counsel Services
Suffolk Lawyers for Justice
US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Erickson Law
Joseph Sulman
Center for Public Health and Tobacco Policy

Public Interest Event- Please RSVP

2011-10-31T16:38:00.000-04:00

Public Interest Law – A Night of Networking

Sponsored by:
Public Interest Law Association, Career Services Office & Center for Law and Social Responsibility

When: Thursday, November 10th from 6:30 p.m. to approximately 9:30 p.m.

Where: Cherry Room, New England Law Library

What: Students will be able to meet attorneys working in many areas of public interest law including, but not limited to, environmental, employment, elder law, criminal justice, and education. The first portion of the evening will be a speed-networking format. Students will rotate from table to table to and speak with attorneys about their work and possible opportunities for law students in their practice area. Following this portion, refreshments will be provided by Viga and students will have the opportunity to speak more at length with attorneys in fields that interest them.

Space is limited so please RSVP!

To RSVP: Please email the Career Services Office at CSO@nesl.edu

New England Law Boston VITA Program

2011-10-31T16:08:00.001-04:00

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program!

Interested in working with local attorneys and getting some hands on experience in the Boston community without working 20 hours a week to do it? Come learn about the VITA program this Thursday at 4:30 in room 305. Everyone, including 1L's, are encouraged to come and listen to what we are offering. If you are interested in the Business or Tax track or just want to meet a local Boston attorney who you might be able to work with this summer, grab a friend and stop in.

For more information on VITA please visit the ABA VITA page.

Staff Attorney Position: Alaska Immigration Justice Project

2011-10-28T10:17:00.000-04:00

The Alaska Immigration Justice Project seeks a staff attorney to provide legal representation in immigration cases before the Department of Homeland Security, the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and in family law cases (mostly divorces and protective orders) before the Alaska state courts. We are a busy non-profit agency that provides low-cost legal services to immigrants.

Requirements : J.D. degree, license to practice law in Alaska (may hire contingent upon passing the next Alaska bar exam after date of hire), excellent written and oral communication skills, and work experience with culturally diverse clients. Strong preference for bilingual applicants: Tagalog or Russian speakers are encouraged to apply.

Salary: DOE.

Submit resume, transcript, and writing sample to Jason Baumetz, Alaska Immigration Justice Project, 431 W. 7th Ave., Suite 208 Anchorage, Alaska 99501, or e-mail to jason.baumetz@akimmigrationjustice.org. Open until filled.

Job Opportunity: Anti-Trafficking Attorney

2011-10-28T10:03:00.002-04:00

Safe Horizon Domestic Violence Law Project based out of Brooklyn NY seeks an attorney to provide comprehensive legal services to survivors of human trafficking, supervise legal staff in partnership with the Supervising Attorney of the Immigration Law Project, develop and participate in policy and legislative advocacy and develops and conduct trainings. For more information please visit the CSO Simplicity site job ID 6990.

NLG/ ACLU BRIC Panel Discussion

2011-10-28T09:42:00.003-04:00

When: Thursday, November 7th from 4:30-6 p.m.
Where:Cherry Room
About the Event: New England Law| Boston's NLG and ACLU student groups are hosting a Panel discussion with attorney and activists involved in a case against Boston Regional Intelligence Center.

In a move to compel disclosure of information that has been withheld from the public about the Boston Police Department's expanded surveillance operations, including the scope of its monitoring of political activities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and the National Lawyers Guild of Massachusetts have filed suit on behalf of eight Boston-area political groups and four individual activists, seeking public disclosure of records detailing the BPD's practice of monitoring political organizations and activists.

The suit, filed under the Massachusetts Public Records law, seeks disclosure of BPD records regarding the Department's surveillance and recording of protest activities and assemblies, the monitoring of political groups and activists, as well as records relating to the collection and sharing of information with the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies.

For more information please visit this ACLU site.

Fellowship Opportunity - International Law

2011-10-26T11:49:00.001-04:00

The Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program, established in 2004 on the recommendation of the ASIL Honors Committee, recognizes the legacy of Arthur Helton, a remarkable ASIL member who died in the August 19, 2003 bombing of the UN mission in Baghdad along with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Viera de Mello and 20 others.

Funded in part by contributions from ASIL members and private foundations, Helton Fellowships provide financial assistance in the form of “micro-grants” for law students and young professionals to pursue field work and research on significant issues involving international law, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and related areas.

Helton Fellowship micro-grants are intended to ensure that these individuals have access to modest amounts of funding that can often stand between them and their first professional opportunities to become effective practitioners, experts, and scholars of international law.

Helton Fellowship micro-grants are intended to contribute to paying for logistics, housing and living expenses, and other costs related to the Fellow’s international law fieldwork and research in affiliation with the sponsoring organization.

To apply please visit the CSO Simplicity site, job ID 6988.

International Opportunity for Law Students

2011-10-25T09:40:00.002-04:00

Global Experience Information Session
Suffolk University Law School
Office of Graduate and International Programs
120 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108
Faculty Dining Room – 4th Floor

The Office of Graduate and International Programs at Suffolk University Law School is hosting an information session next Wednesday for our Global Internship programs.The programs are open to both Suffolk and non-Suffolk students.

Through this internship programs, students are able to secure international placement in both the private and public sphere. They take students’ areas of interests and desired destinations, and with the help of a third party partner in Austria, pair students with international firms and organizations. The goal is to facilitate the process of obtaining international legal experience, so students can focus on the experience itself.

Students who have any questions or are interested in this program should RSVP to Dana Warshauer, Program Coordinator, Graduate and International Programs at Suffolk University Law School at dwarshauer@suffolk.edu.

Tenants Rights Street Law Clinic

2011-10-20T10:25:00.002-04:00

Below is an announcement from New England Law | Boston's National Lawyers Guild Chapter:

What:
Tenants Rights Street Law Clinic

When:
Thursday, November 3 at 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Location: Room 507

About the Clinic:
Volunteering to conduct Street Law Clinic workshops is a great way to start using your legal skills and, with only a few hours per month, assist communities in need. This work also counts towards the Public Service Transcript Notation. After receiving the training in the Street Law Clinic you can go out and teach others.

Tenant/Landlord Disputes
State and local laws designed to protect tenants are often ignored or deliberately violated by landlords. Tenants frequently do not know how to assert their legal rights. Participants in this workshop learn what their rights are with respect to such issues as:

•Evictions
•Rent increases
•Health code violations
•Lead paint
•Discrimination.

Participants also discuss strategies for tenants to organize effectively and to assert their rights.
Sometimes small landlords attend this clinic and learn their obligations as landlords under Massachusetts law.

New Environmental Project at the Center!

2011-10-20T10:13:00.002-04:00

The Environmental Advocacy Project, which is part of the Center of Law and Social Responsibility, in conjunction with the Environmental Law Society at New England Law Boston is excited to announce a project with Alternatives for Community and Environment ‘s (ACE) legal counsel and program director Eugene Benson.

The project will focus on river and sediment contamination in a local river near Boston. Students are needed for initial data gathering on contamination and possible sources which will then be used by the students and ACE in development of policy and legal options. This project will include coordination with ACE, local community groups, and other environmental nonprofits. It is a great opportunity to experience the type of work that goes into building an environmental case which typically includes background research, community organization, and strategy development. The hope is to learn how to go about collecting this data in November, and then taking the project full on starting in January.

All students, including 1Ls, are welcomed to come to the informational meeting that will take place Wednesday November 9th, from 4-5 p.m. at the St. James office. At this initial meeting Eugene Benson will discuss the project’s background and participants and the commitment needed from interested students. If you would like to attend this informational meeting please e-mail the CLSR fellow, Sarah Herbert, by November 4th at sarah.m.herbert@nesl.edu.

October 26th Pro Bono Fair

2011-10-19T09:18:00.002-04:00

On October 26th from 5-7 p.m. the Rappaport Center and Boston Bar Association are co-sponsoring a Pro Bono Fair for attorneys and law students. This is a great opportunity to learn more about pro bono and volunteer opportunities in the Boston area. If you want to learn more or RSVP to this event, click here.

2012 Public Justice Essay Contest

2011-10-18T09:41:00.002-04:00

Public Justice is holding an essay contest with a $5,000 cash prize. The topic for this year's contest is "Are Factory Farms Hog-Tying to People's Rights?- Right to Farm and Ag-Gag Laws." The winning essay will be featured on the Public Justice website and nationally disseminated in the Public Justice newsletter.

The deadline for Intent to Enter is January 31, 2012 and the Essay Submission Deadline is March 31, 2012.

For more information on contest rules etc. please visit www.publicjustice.net.

Georgetown Fellowship Opportunity

2011-10-18T09:31:00.002-04:00

Georgetown University Center for Applied Legal Studies
2012-2014 Clinical Teaching Fellowship

Georgetown University's Center for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) announces that it is now accepting applications for its annual fellowship program in clinical legal education. CALS will offer one lawyer a two year teaching fellowship (July 2012 June 2014), providing a unique opportunity to learn how to teach law in a clinical setting.

At CALS, our two fellows and faculty members work as colleagues, sharing responsibilities for designing and teaching classes, supervising law students in their representation of clients, selecting and grading students, administering the clinic, and all other matters. In addition, the fellow will undertake independent legal scholarship, conducting the research and writing to produce a law review article of publishable quality.

This fellowship is particularly suitable for lawyers with some degree of practice experience who now want to embark upon careers in law teaching. Most of our previous fellows are now teaching law or have done so for substantial portions of their careers.

Since 1995, CALS has specialized in immigration law, specifically in asylum practice, and our docket focuses on presenting asylum claims in immigration court. Applicants with experience in U.S. immigration law will therefore be given preference. The fellow must be a member of a bar at the start of the fellowship period.

The fellow will receive full tuition and fees in the LL.M. program at Georgetown University, and a stipend in excess of $53,000 in each of the two years. On successful completion of the requirements, the Fellow will be granted the degree of Master of Laws (Advocacy) with distinction.

For more details and to apply, please visit CSO Simplicity website, job posting #6975. If you have any questions, call CALS at (202) 662-9565 or email to calsclinic@law.georgetown.edu.

The Benefits of Getting Involved

2011-10-17T15:17:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday, on October 15th, I attended the New England Environmental Justice Forum (NEEJF) Regional Training Session held right here in Boston. NEEJF is a collaboration of work between Alternatives of Community and Environment, Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice, and Rhodes Island Legal Services. The purpose of the forum is to bring together advocates, community organizers, and attorneys so that they can share their ideas, plan for future work, and the legal and technical needs of communities.

What is Environmental Justice?
Environmental Justice is a buzz word that many might have heard, but know little about. EPA’s website defines Environmental Justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” Essentially, there are communities across the United States that are disproportionately exposed to poor environmental conditions. The exposure can range from poor air quality, to toxic buildings, degraded water quality, and contaminated land. These communities, known as “EJ communities”, exist right here around Boston and all throughout the state of Massachusetts.

How the NEEJF Regional Training Inspired Me
This forum provided an interactive format for attorneys and community organizers to learn from one another and share their experiences. What I walked away with from this training was a better understanding of the attorney’s role in EJ cases and the importance of a strong relationship between the attorney and the community they represent.

During one part of this program participants could hear from attorneys who have experience with EJ cases. This provided an opportunity to hear from attorneys about the obstacles and benefits of working with community groups that they experienced and the tactics used for successful outcomes. One point I took from this is that the attorney has a multifaceted role when working on these cases. While the attorney is critical to formulating legal arguments and assessing opportunities for the community to be part of the legal process, the attorney also needs to recognize and understand the importance of the many venues these campaigns must utilize. EJ communities have a number of forums available to them to raise awareness, which include community sponsored rallies or fairs, cleanup projects, participation at public hearings, advocacy pieces in newspapers and media, and community education. These many components need to be taken into consideration when developing a successful strategy plan.

In the afternoon we were also able to break into topic groups and during this portion I sat in on the “air” topic group. I cannot emphasize enough how much I walked away with from sitting at this table. It included community residents, experienced attorneys, law students, and recent graduates. Participants at this table handed out information on their current projects and ways to get involved. We discussed topics ranging from standing in a legal suit, community education on idling of vehicles, to incineration of waste and ways to reduce the amount of waste in Boston. The breadth of topics and the ideas generated during this round-table discussion resulted in alliances from different groups moving forward and a sense of unity among many different air related issues. What we realized is that we are all a resource for one another, even if we may have never worked on the particular air related topic raised.

What amazed me the most was the work of community organizers. Most people can feel powerless when they see their community subject to continuing environmental degradation, whether it is vacant lots turned into dump sites and drug havens, to another industrial facility emitting more toxics into the air. It all starts with community groups recognizing that it is up to them to stand up. From there, it is up to everyone to provide their assistance; whether legal, technical, or organizational in order to develop a successful campaign. Those who choose to get involved need to become familiar with the community, what makes it tick and why this campaign is so important to the overall health of the community. Attorneys discussed attending community meetings even if legal issues were not raised and taking a walks around the area with community members so they could be come just as familiar with the problem as the community members were.

Get Involved
My suggestion to anyone, after attending this event, is to attend similar events in the public interest field you are interested in. Upon leaving this training I had a wealth of information on projects I could get involved in, speaker series I could attend, and renewed energy to continue with this work. As future attorneys you are learning valuable skills that under-served communities are in desperate need of and it is important to remember to use these skills to give back.

Job Opportunity- Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project

2011-10-11T15:36:00.002-04:00

The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) in Portland, Maine seeks a strategic and inspirational leader who is passionate and highly knowledgeable about immigration, and possesses proven non-profit organizational development and fundraising experience. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) has overall responsibility for implementation of policies, programs and operations of the organization. The ED is responsible for achievement of ILAP’s mission and for providing key leadership in the planning process to build a secure and sustainable infrastructure that supports the current programs and assures organizational growth to meet the expanding needs of the community.

The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) was founded in 1993 and is Maine’s only state-wide nonprofit provider of free and low-fee comprehensive immigration law services to low-income Mainers. ILAP helps low-income immigrants improve their legal status and works for more just and humane laws and policies affecting immigrants. With a staff of eleven, and an annual operating budget of $800,000, ILAP serves about 2,500 people per year.

Bachelors and graduate degrees required; law degree strongly preferred. Must have a documented record of progressively responsible upper-level non-profit management experience, including successful fundraising experience.

To apply please visit the CSO Simplicity site job # 6960.

For a detailed position description, please visit www.ilapmaine.org

Rappaport Fellows Program Information Session

2011-10-06T09:26:00.002-04:00

Students who are not in their last year of law school are strongly encouraged to attend the informational meeting on this great opportunity!

Rappaport Fellows Program Information Session

October 13th

4:00pm - 5:00pm

St. James Conference Room

The Rappaport Fellows Program in Law and Public Policy is built around a series of experiences and activities that blend the practical and the intellectual elements of public service law and civic leadership. For the selected Rappaport Fellows, there are three major components to the year-long program:

Working in a paid ten-week summer legal internships with a Boston-area government employer that focuses on urban policy issues;
Engaging in a weekly seminar series and other activities designed to immerse the fellows in issues of law, public policy, and public service relevant to Greater Boston; an
Participating in an individually matched mentoring program with seasoned lawyers, government officials, and civic leaders.

Any J.D. candidate who is not in his or her final year of study and is enrolled at one of the six law schools in the Greater Boston region is eligible to apply for a Rappaport Fellowship. Come learn about the Rappaport Fellowship and how you can apply!

More information about the Rappaport Fellows Program is available here: http://www.rappaportcenter.org/fellows/description.cfm

Please RSVP for this program:

2LD/2LE/3LE Students: Students may now RSVP for all CSO programs in Symplicity! Click on the “Events” tab in Symplicity and go to “Workshops”. Click on each program name to RSVP for a program.

1LD Students: Please RSVP for this program by emailing cso@nesl.edu

New England Environmental Justice Forum- Regional Training

2011-10-03T15:43:00.002-04:00

On Saturday October 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the New England Environmental Justice Forum (NEEJF) will be holding its Regional Training. The purpose of this training will be to connect environmental justice advocates and provide training on how to work with grassroots groups. There will also be four open mic issue rooms to address participant's different campaigns.

This training is FREE and includes lunch and childcare. If you are interested you can register here. The event will take place at SEIU 615, 26 West Street, 2nd Floor, which is near New England Law | Boston's Stuart Street building. For directions please click here.

For more information on Environmental Justice (EJ) the following websites are helpful:
EPA's EJ site
NRDC EJ site
ACE (Boston based)

Discovering Justice Information Session October 6th

2011-09-29T09:47:00.001-04:00

Discovering Justice

Thursday, October 6^th, from 3-4 pm in Room 301 students are invited to come learn about Discovering Justice and ways to get involved.

http://www.discoveringjustice.org/ Projects include:

· Children Discovering Justice: This program is designed for 1st and 2nd grade students to take a field trip to the courthouse and learn about how the legal system works. They first take a quick tour of the building, and then we bring them to a courtroom where they preside over their own case (usually an issue like a stolen teddy bear). Law students would volunteer to help these students formulate their arguments and generally oversee the case (though we have a staff member who will be leading the program). It typically lasts for about 40 minutes.

· Kids Courts and Citizenship: In this program, the students act as a jury while our volunteers take the roles as defense and prosecutor in a case. After hearing the arguments of the volunteers, the students deliberate and make a decision as a jury would. We are hoping to have attorneys for this since it is helpful for them to talk about what they do as a lawyer, but there may be some room for law students if they are particularly interested.

· Discovering the Bill of Rights: Here we recreate a famous case (typically Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District) and help the kids work through it from a legal perspective. Law students would be helpful in coaching smaller groups of kids to help them understand how trials take place and why the rights provided to us are so important.

New England Law| Boston's NLG and ACS Speaker Event

2011-09-29T09:22:00.003-04:00

On Wednesday October 5th New England's National Lawyers Guild and American Constitution Society will be holding a speaker event about what is required of states under the Sixth and Fourteenth amendments in regard to indigent defense services and how states avoid their constitutional responsibilities. The featured speaker is David Carroll, Director of Research for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. in room 506 and food will be served from Boston Kitchen Pizza.

Some background information on this event:

In Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963), the United States Supreme Court deemed the right to attorney for those unable to afford one “fundamental and essential” to fair trials. Nearly 50 years later, public defense services in America are plagued by deep-rooted, chronic problems that our nation’s top law enforcement official, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, has called “morally untenable” and “economically unsustainable.” The American Bar Association (ABA) defines the ability of states to guarantee a poor defendant constitutionally-adequate legal representation as being in a perpetual “state of crisis.” And, since upwards of 85% of all people charged with state crimes with potential jail time qualify for a public lawyer, state and local governments daily jeopardize the ability of our courts to produce verdicts that are fair, correct, swift and final.

Volunteer Opportunity for New England Law | Boston Students

2011-09-27T16:03:00.006-04:00

The American Irish Law Society (AILS) here at NEL|B takes part in Project No One Leaves, which is dedicated to empowering those living in foreclosed properties through community education. This is a great opportunity for students to get involved in community education, as well as make great contacts. The students over at AILS have passed along the information below about a great opportunity for more students to get involved:

This Saturday (October 1st), 9:45 a.m. at 23 Everett St, Cambridge MA next to the Harvard Campus
Students from AILS and students from other schools will be attending a training session lead by Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. This event is a great way to be introduced to the work being done at the community level. It is also a great way to become familiar with landlord-tenant and foreclosure law, how it applies, how it has evolved, and why a project like No One Leaves is necessary. Although it may be discussed on a less frequent basis, the mortgage crisis is not over and projects such as this have had success against the banks, with national mobilization as it continues to gain momentum.

For more information on No One Leaves and AILS's involvement please contact Joseph O'Sullivan at joseph.m.osullivan@nesl.edu.

Don't forget that work such as this (not for credit and unpaid) is eligible for the Public Service Transcript Notation.

Third Annual Pro Bono Fair

2011-09-26T12:25:00.004-04:00

The third annual Pro Bono Fair at Suffolk University (located at 120 Tremont St) will take place Wednesday, October 26th from 5-7 pm. The event is sponsored by the Boston Bar Association and the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service at Suffolk University Law School. This is a great opportunity for students to connect with lawyers about pro bono opportunities.

For more information please visit the Rappaport Center's website.

IMPORTANT: New CORI Initiative at CLSR

2011-09-26T11:27:00.003-04:00

CLSR to start CORI Initiative this year

This Friday (9/30) from 3-4 pm the Center for Law and Social Responsibility (CLSR) will be holding an informational meeting on the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Initiative that will start this year. This is an opportunity for New England Students to get involved in many aspects of this legal process, from client intake, to affidavits, community education, and possible client representation in a hearing. Pizza will be served.

The CORI Initiative to take place at CLSR will include:

Affidavit work-group: preparation of affidavits for clients to be used by attorneys in representation or by the clients themselves pro se. Work will include gathering information from the clients and then drafting affidavits on their behalf. This will take place Fridays at the Center and will provide students an opportunity to gain further legal writing experience. For those 3Ls who are 3:03 certified there is a possibility to represent clients at these hearings.
Client Intake: Furthering the initiative of fellow New England students that are already taking part, we will aim to have a continuous New England presence at CORI intake tables at the courts in Dorchester and Roxbury. Here students will meet with clients to go over their CORI records and assist them in determining which offenses can be sealed, or potentially sealed after a hearing. For those 3Ls who are 3:03 certified there is a possibility to represent clients at these hearings.
Community Outreach and Education: In conjunction with Greater Boston Legal Services, CLSR will assist in educating the community on upcoming changes to CORI law. This will include production of materials to explain the nature of the changes as well as participation in larger CORI intake events at community centers to help inform the community.

This is a great opportunity for students to get involved, gain experience, and help the community. All hours put into the CORI project are eligible for the Public Service Transcript Notation.

Volunteer Opportunity at the Cambridge Public Schools Office of Legal Counsel

2011-09-21T11:58:00.002-04:00

The Cambridge Public Schools Office of Legal Counsel seeks two law school student interns for unpaid internships.

The Office of Legal Counsel is charged with the prosecution and defense of all suits in which the Cambridge Public Schools and/or Cambridge School Committee is a part in state and federal courts and in administrative agencies. The Legal Counsel functions as a full-time office, handling nearly all of CPS' litigation in-house. In addition to this litigation function, the School Committee, Superintendent of Schools, school administrators and school department heads refer to the Legal Counsel for legal opinions on school-related matters. The Legal Counsel regularly attends School Committee meetings, assists in collective bargaining and drafts, reviews and approves a wide range of legal instruments required for the orderly accomplishment of CPS" operations.

Interested students are asked to email a resume, writing sample and cover letter to Legal Counsel Maureen MacFarlane at mmacfarlane@cpsd.us

Remember that public service legal work is eligible for the Public Service Transcript Notation.

Volunteer with the Office of English Learners of Boston Public Schools

2011-09-20T12:58:00.003-04:00

Below is information on a volunteer opportunity for students interested in public interest work, and in particular education law. Remember, volunteer work is eligible for the public service transcript notation.

The Office of English Language Learners of the Boston Public Schools seeks an intern to assist legal and policy staff in negotiating a complex Successor Settlement Agreement with the federal government. The new settlement, replacing the current interim Agreement, will govern the current overhaul of service provision for more than 17,000 students who are not English proficient and set permanent educational standards for this group. The intern will also support a multi-disciplinary team of so-called Academic Design and Support Specialists who are charged with assessing the level of compliance with the existing accord and assisting schools in making necessary changes in practice. Some law school education and work study eligibility are preferable but not necessarily required. Tasks will involve legal, factual, and policy research; organizing and indexing factual information for reports to the federal government and internal use; assisting at negotiating sessions, and participating generally in the reform work with a highly diverse, talented, dedicated, and congenial staff. Persons interested should contact Phillip Kassel at pkassel@boston.k12.ma.us or Kim Tsai at ktsai@boston.k12.ma.us.

Join the Judicial Language Project & Sexual Violence Legal News

2011-09-20T09:32:00.002-04:00

This Thursday, 4:30 in the Cherry Room
Come and learn about an opportunity to work with Wendy Murphy, a renowned advocate, and make a difference. Pizza and soda will be provided.

The Judicial Language Project (JLP) screens sexual violence cases for inappropriate language and by using sociolinguistic research explains why the language is inappropriate and gives an explanation as well as alternative choices.

Sexual Violence Legal News (SVLN) is a sister project to JLP that runs an e-mail alert system that keeps shelters and rape crisis centers aware of changes in the law.

Students who volunteer on this project are eligible for the Public Service Transcript Notation, which looks great on both resumes and transcripts! If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Megan Mitchell, Secretary of New England Law Boston's Women's Law Caucus.

Volunteer Opportunity with LARC

2011-09-15T12:18:00.001-04:00

I stumbled upon this volunteer opportunity at Legal Advocacy and Resource Center (LARC) and wanted to pass it along.

LARC has a volunteer opportunity for students to work on its social security or bankruptcy projects. As a volunteer you are trained to counsel clients who have social security benefit or consumer questions. The commitment would be about 8-10 hours per week during the semester. LARC operates a free legal service hot-line in order to assist low-income Massachusetts residents.

This would be a great opportunity and if 25 hours or more are dedicated to this the work is eligible for the Public Service Transcript Notation Program, which looks great on both your resume and transcript. For more information on this program visit the Notation Website.

If you are interested in volunteering email Dan Biagiotti at dbiagiotti@gbls.org

For more information on LARC visit its website.

National Lawyers Guild Street Law Clinic Training

2011-09-14T09:32:00.004-04:00

NLG Massachusetts Chapter will be holding their first Street Law Clinic training this Monday September 19th at Northeastern School of Law. This training will be on Tenant/Landlord disputes.

Street Law Clinics are FREE interactive workshops for non-lawyers, aiming to empower participants by providing them with information about law in specific areas and how to assert legal rights in real life situations. Clinics are conducted at community centers, churches, high schools, homeless shelters, union halls, and pre-release centers by law students NLG attorneys. They last generally two hours and conclude with one-on-one Pro Bono advice segment given by the attorney

Click here for more information on the Street Law Clinic.

CORI Training Wednesday September 14th.

2011-09-09T09:06:00.002-04:00

Pauline Quiron from Greater Boston Legal Services will be at New England to discuss CORI research from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Weds., Sept. 14 in NESL Room 303. This is a highly recommended training for anyone who is looking to volunteer with the CORI Project over the next year. Pauline is involved with a similar CORI Project as well that is looking for student volunteers. She will be available to discuss that further for any students who are interested.

The CORI Project is an ongoing partnership between law students and pro bono attorneys to assist employment seekers with charges that are eligible to be sealed on their CORI report.

Reminder: Center for Public Health and Tobacco Policy Law Clerk Application Deadline

2011-09-07T10:49:00.005-04:00

Center for Public Health and Tobacco Policy at New England Law Boston is seeking current day or evening students who have completed their first full year to work part-time during the fall semester. The law clerk would work 10-20hrs/week. This is a work study position or volunteer position. Work study compensation is $10.00/hour.

Duties include:

Research legal and policy initiatives
Draft summary fact sheets, memoranda and policy reports.
Design presentations and printed materials.
Provide administrative assistance, including workshop preparation and logistics.
Other tasks as assigned by the Center's director, assistant director, or staff attorney.

Preference will be given to those students showing a sincere interest in public health law or public interest law. Please contact Financial Aid to determine work study eligibility. Students interest in volunteering with the Center for at least 5 hours/week are also encouraged to apply. Students who volunteer with the Center are eligible for the Public Service Transcript Notation Program.

To apply please e-mail a resume, writing sample, (unofficial) transcript, and a cover letter explaining availability and interest in working at the Center to tobacco@nesl.edu. Deadline is Sunday September 11, 2011.

The Center works with the New York State Department of Health and communities around New York to develop policies aimed at reducing tobacco use and protecting the health of non-smokers. The Center examines the efficacy, feasibility, and legality of tobacco-control policies and provides guidance on language and implementation. Frequent legal issues include First Amendment conflicts, federal preemption, and questions of equal protection. The Center is directed by Professor Berman.

RSVP to the Public Defender Hiring Information Program

2011-09-07T09:58:00.000-04:00

Public Defender Hiring Information Program
Monday, September 12th
12:00pm – 1:00pm, Cherry Room
Featuring:
Jacki Smith, NH Public Defender
Brian Kelley, Committee for Public Counsel Services and
Jen Sunderland, Committee for Public Counsel Services

Please join New England Law | Boston alumni from area public defender offices to learn about the hiring process and gain valuable application advice regarding internship & post-graduate positions. All students are invited to attend!Refreshments will be served.

This program will be recorded.

Please RSVP:
2LD/2LE/3LE and 3LD/4LE Students: Students may now RSVP for all CSO programs in Symplicity! Click on the “Events” tab in Symplicity and go to “Workshops”. Click on each program name to RSVP for a program.

1LD/1LE Students: Please RSVP for this program by emailing cso@nesl.edu

Legal Internship Opportunity with the National Lawyers Guild, Massachusetts Chapter

2011-08-31T15:36:00.002-04:00

The NLG, Massachusetts Chapter is looking for a law student to work as an intern on public interest litigation, pursuing cases involving police surveillance, civil rights, and prisoners' rights.

Legal interns are required to work with NLG for a period of at least 12 weeks (shorter terms considered under special circumstances). The Guild is committed to working with interns who are pursuing academic credit and encourage interns to seek outside funding as no stipend is provided. Interns will work alongside the Chapter's executive director and other staff to assist in all aspects of the Chapter's litigation. Work will include:

Review of current law, as well as pending legislative reform;
Drafting of complaints, motions, briefs, and related court documents;
Legal research and analysis;
Participation in all aspects of discovery review, including initial fact gathering.

Experience and qualifications:

Display a strong commitment to public interest, civil rights, and civil liberties;
Have excellent research, writing, and communication skills;
Have the ability to analyze complex legal issues and to think strategically and creatively about the use of litigation to achieve policy reform
Show initiative for identifying areas in need of legal reform and self-motivation sufficient to the completion of cases and projects.

To apply send as one document (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) list of references and (4) a legal writing sample to nlgmass-director@igc.org. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

New England Law has a student group, National Lawyer's Guild (NLG) NESL Branch, that is on both TWEN and Facebook. For more information on NLG, Massachusetts chapter please visit its website.