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Please browse around, catch up on our latest public interest law projects, peruse our links (including the one to our home site, New England Law | Boston), and add your comments. Before you start, we encourage you to become familiar with our Terms of Use.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
October 26th Pro Bono Fair
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.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
2012 Public Justice Essay Contest
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.
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
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.
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.
Monday, October 17, 2011
The Benefits of Getting Involved
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Job Opportunity- Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
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
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Rappaport Fellows Program Information Session
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
Monday, October 3, 2011
New England Environmental Justice Forum- Regional Training
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)
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)
