By: Steve Grumm

Happy Friday, dear readers.  Your PSLawNet Blog authors made a jaunt to the White House yesterday to watch as 16 Champions of Change, including two with PSLawNet ties, were honored for their extraordinary work in narrowing the civil justice gap.  I had hopes of starting a pickup basketball game with the president – as a youth I developed a pretty wicked crossover dribble on the Philadelphia playgrounds – but it was not to be.  Nice time all the same. 

This week: more on the Champions of Change event; a legal services office closure in Tupelo, Mississippi; former AppalReD exec. director sues the legal services provider for discrimination;  urging for a (limited) civil right to counsel in Wisconsin; O’Melveny & Myers pro bono counsel, David Lash, emphasizes the integral role of lawyers in narrowing the justice gap (great work, David!); federal honors attorney programs are shrinking considerably (boooo!!!!); “Police Women of Broward County” TV show puts bee in public defender’s bonnet; the Family Justice Center opens its doors as a one-stop-shop for DV victims in Sonoma County, CA; Congressional Quarterly looks at the legal services resources crisis.

• 10.13.11 – the White House’s Champions of Change program shined the spotlight this week on lawyers throughout the country who lead the charge in promoting access to justice for the poor.  You can view the full slate of honorees here.  At the event, the honorees fielded questions from law students about launching public interest careers and what they can do to narrow the justice gap while still in school.  On Monday, 10/17, those discussions and blog posts from the Champions will be on the Champions of Change site.  Some additional notes/coverage:
• The DOJ’s Access to Justice Initiative facilitated this event, and Attorney General Eric Holder led the ceremony and panel discussion.  Here is DOJ’s wrap-up of the event.
• We at NALP are thrilled that longtime member Deb Ellis of NYU Law is among the Champions of Change honorees.  Throughout her career in legal education Deb has produced programming and resources that are freely shared with law schools throughout the country, ultimately enabling them to better assist students on public interest career paths.  In this sense Deb has played a role in launching countless public interest careers.  (And thanks for the PSLawNet shout-out, Deb!)   
• We are also thrilled that Todd Belcore of the Shriver Center, who won NALP’s 2009 PSLawNet Pro Bono Publico Award (and has some great thoughts on how law students can develop leadership skills), is a Champion.  Way to go, Todd.
• The Champions honorees also include four leaders at LSC-funded legal services programs.

• 10.13.11 – and now, after that, here’s bad news on the access-to-justice front: “North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, which provides legal help for low income families, will remain in Oxford but a Tupelo office will close. Legal Services has five offices covering 39 counties. The Tupelo office served 10 counties.” (Blurb from an AP story appearing on The Republic’s website.)

• 10.13.11 – and more bad news, this time out of Kentucky.  From the Herald-Leader:  “A woman who once directed the agency that is the main provider of civil legal help for poor people in Eastern Kentucky has alleged that its board fired her because of her gender and race.   Cynthia Elliott, who is black, also contended in a lawsuit that the board of the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky fired her in retaliation for firing white employees. The board dismissed Elliott in January. She had been director of the agency, known by the acronym AppalReD, since 2007, and had been one of its staff attorneys earlier.”

• 10.12.11 – Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee executive director Thomas Cannon makes the case for a civil right to counsel in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: “Poverty qualifies more than a million Wisconsin residents for free legal services, but because of the chronic underfunding of civil legal aid programs, only about 5% of these individuals will actually get a free lawyer. The other 95% are on their own. Congress is proposing to cut the modest budget for federal legal services programs. In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature eliminated all state funding for civil legal aid. Wisconsin is now one of a handful of states that provide no funding for civil justice. This dire situation could change if the Wisconsin Supreme Court enacts a proposed rule change that directs trial court judges to appoint lawyers at public expense in civil cases where basic needs – food, shelter, clothing, heat, medical care, safety and child custody – are at stake. The court recently held a public hearing on the rule change; it will discuss the matter in open session on Oct. 17 in Madison.”  Just as an interesting bit of trivia, Cannon notes that the Wisconsin Supreme Court established a criminal right to counsel all the way back in 1859.  I come from a civil legal services background, so I’m fairly ignorant on state-by-state criminal right-to-counsel jurisprudence predating Gideon. This was a surprise to me.

• 10.10.11 – David Lash, managing counsel for pro bono at O’Melveny & Myers (and friend of the PSLawNet Blog), penned a great piece about the vital role of lawyers in providing access to justice at a time when more and more people fall into poverty.  Writing in the L.A.-based Daily Journal (and writing in his individual capacity, not on behalf of his law firm), Lash highlights the growing numbers of Californians living in poverty (over 16% of the state population) and notes that many more people are technically above the poverty line but hardly able to make ends meet.  He then lists concrete examples of the work that pro bono and legal aid lawyers do to serve those clients on society’s margins, and closes the piece as follows: “So let us not forget that although our greatest hopes lie in the greatest judicial system the globe has ever seen – that system is daunting, intimidating and overwhelmingly complex for those who are unrepresented. Democracy’s promise sometimes is entirely dependent on access to the justice system; access that requires a lawyer to navigate its intricacies and nuances. So as we debate budget cuts, let us remember the key role of the legal system. It is a worthy investment where every dollar spent is leveraged through the generous largesse of everyday lawyers devoting their time and skills to save lives.”  Well said.  Alas, the article is password-protected, so we can’t provide a link to it.

• 10.10.11 – wonderfully reported article, but bad news.  In the National Law Journal, “Cuts constrict lawyers’ route to federal jobs” takes a close look at how the attorney honors program pipeline, which has historically served as a terrific point of entrance to federal government, is looking more like a funnel.  The article contains several useful data points about agency-by-agency honors program hiring.  DOJ, for instance, took on 165 honors attorneys this year, but that is “down from 211 in 2010. Next year, there are only 70 to 80 slots available.”  The piece also notes that competition for the dwindling slots is up significantly, as more and more students who feel shut out of the private sector look to Uncle Sam for a job.  Interestingly, the piece goes on to note, law school rank is not necessarily a big criterion in hiring decisions. DOJ hires grads from lower-ranked schools if they have strong academic credentials and a demonstrated interest in the subject matter area.  The piece closes by suggesting that salary is not the allure of honors programs; rather, honors attorneys get hands-on practice experience right out of the gates.

• 10.10.11 – is the Discovery Channel THE LAW in Broward County?  On something of a lighter note, the Sun-Sentinel looks at a Broward County public defender’s objections to Discovery’s “Police Women of Broward County.”  From the article: “Contracts for four deputies who appeared on the ‘Police Women of Broward County’ reality show give TV producers too much power, the Broward public defender says. ‘Who is producing the arrests, the officer or the show?’ asked Chief Assistant Public Defender Gordon Weekes Jr. ‘This contract basically delegates a law enforcement officer’s duty to a third party’.”

• 10.10.11 – from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, we learn that the newly opened Family Justice Center of Sonoma County offers a broad array of support services for domestic violence victims:   “A study determined victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and crimes such as stalking and elder financial fraud could be required to visit two dozen different agencies if they wanted to use public services available to them. Since many victims can lack transportation, be financially strapped or be pursued by an abuser, advocates determined it would be best to put all the assistance for them under one roof. The county bought and renovated a former office building with grants and donations of about $6 million and invited more than a dozen victim advocates from organizations like Catholic Charities, the Council on Aging, the YWCA and the Inter-tribal Council. The center is staffed by police and district attorney employees, an immigration adviser, an advocate for the deaf and a civil attorney who provides advice about harassment and getting restraining orders.” 

• 10.7.11 – the Congressional Quarterly Researcher put out a report on the civil legal services community’s resource crisis.  It’s password-protected, though, so we can’t get to it.  But FYI. 

The Peter Cicchino Youth Project (PCYP) in the Urban Justice Center is a legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education project that focuses on the legal needs of homeless and street-involved lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) young people (up through age 24) in New York City. PYCP is looking for experienced attorneys for its Project Director position.

PCYP works to interrupt the cycles of poverty and criminalization that prevent LGBTQQ youth from living fulfilling, enriching lives. We advocate for LGBTQQ young people living in poverty on a wide range of issues, including safe and affirming access to shelter, obtaining lawful immigration status, public benefits, accurate identification documents, and discrimination.

The Project Director is responsible for fundraising and managing a $400,000 annual budget, and will represent PCYP to the broader Urban Justice Center, the media, and the public. The Project Director works with program staff to coordinate PCYP’s legal services, to ensure that our clients receive high quality legal representation. The Project Director, along with program staff, will continue to identify systemic priorities and to develop PCYP’s capacity to take direction from the communities we serve.

If you’re interested, see the listing at PSLawNet!

The Loyola Law School Center for Juvenile Law and Policy is seeking applications for a post-graduate fellowship in the Center’s Juvenile Justice Clinic.  The fellowship is designed for attorneys who possess a demonstrated interest in indigent juvenile defense and juvenile justice issues. 

The fellowship is a two-year appointment, beginning on August 1, 2012.  The fellowship is designed to provide a well-developed practical skill set as well as clinical teaching experience.

The Center is a legal clinic that brings public service, education and advocacy together to improve the quality of legal services provided to youth in the juvenile delinquency system.  The clinic provides free legal services to children in the Los Angeles delinquency courts while providing students with vital litigation skills and the opportunity to practice in the public interest.

To learn more and to find out how to apply, see the listing at PSLawNet!

The Center for Social Justice at Seton Hall University School is looking to fill a fellowship spot immediately! The clinical fellowship would run through July 2012, with the possibility for renewal.

The Center is home to eight clinics, as well as the International Human Rights/Rule of Law Initiative, the Urban Revitalization Initiative and a large pro bono program. The clinics focus on predatory lending and foreclosure, education and prison reform, constitutional law and civil rights, equal justice, impact litigation, family law, immigrants’ rights and international human rights, and juvenile justice.

The Fellow will work with clinics that focus on complex civil litigation, including multi-party litigation as well as law reform and impact litigation. Preference will be given to those interested in issues surrounding urban justice and experienced with housing, foreclosure, predatory lending, and/or education reform advocacy.

The Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to gain public interest litigation and clinical teaching experience in a supportive law school environment. The Clinical Fellow will assist with client intake, all aspects of civil litigation, supervision of clinical students, and the teaching of clinical seminars, and will be responsible for case coverage during the summer months

Sounds like a great opp! Find out how to apply at PSLawNet!

Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE) is looking for a policy research intern for Summer 2012. CNE is a non-profit housing organization that was founded to provide all Chattanoogans the opportunity to live in decent, fit and affordable housing and, in the process, eliminate substandard housing in Chattanooga.

CNE’s mission is to build and sustain livable neighborhoods by providing home ownership counseling, providing affordable loans, working in partnership with like-missioned organizations and encouraging neighborhood engagement.

CNE’s intern will conduct essential, in-depth research regarding all kinds of pressing home-ownership and tenancy issues, including landlord tax delinquency, government designated revitalization areas, land banking and abandoned housing, CRA credits/partnerships with banks, comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategies, and neighborhood revitalization strategies that relate to a specific complementary field (e.g. the Promise Neighborhood program as a way to improve education through neighborhoods).

If you’re committed to affordable housing issues and will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee, learn how to apply at PSLawNet!

by Kristen Pavón

An article in U.S. News and World Report has some great advice for getting into the non-profit world, especially if you’re looking to transition into it from the corporate arena.

Some of the advice, we’ve already heard — network, meet people who work in the field you’re trying to break into and stay up-to-date on non-profit news.

However, there are a couple of pointers that you may have never thought of before!

Become a “slasher.” (e.g. sales rep/literacy mentor). This could play out in two ways. Slashing can help you transition from your current field into a non-profit job. If that’s your target, Alboher suggests you hold onto your day job while you dip into the nonprofit world on the side (using the suggestions below). By taking the slash approach, you’ll be able to continue earning a living and simultaneously build skills and relationships to help you transition to the non-profit sector. Keep in mind, you may earn less in a new non-profit job, so your financial plan may include saving some money while you are planning your career change.

On the other hand, you may wish to create a permanent “slash” career, where you have one foot each planted in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds. Either way, follow the advice below and carefully carve out time for each of the sides of your “slash.”

Consult. Take on a consulting project for a nonprofit as a way to showcase your skills. If you choose to work for free, make sure you’re building relationships, knowledge, or something else to help you as you try to find a paying job. Non-profits appreciate and seek employees who are passionate about their missions, so it makes sense to identify issues and organizations you may want to work with for the long term.

Remember, you can always find non-profit legal career resources at PSLawNet!

Read more here.

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC) is looking for a deserving law school student with a demonstrated commitment to mental health advocacy to serve as a Summer 2012 Edward F. Hennessey Fellow.

MHLAC an independent state agency of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Its mission is to help children and adults with mental disabilities by providing advice and direct legal representation.

MHLAC covers a wide range of legal issues in areas that include access to services, treatment, custody and visitation, guardianship, insurance, education, housing and inpatient and institutional rights.

If you’re interested, check out the listing at PSLawNet!

by Kristen Pavón

I’ve been a bit quiet on the Internets today, and here’s why!

Fortune’s Most Powerful WomenVirtual Summit 2011 (you can still register) is going on today and tomorrow, and there are lots of great interviews and sessions with incredible women leaders.

I listened in on a session called “Your Network for Social Good” with Gerri Elliott, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer of Juniper; Cheryl Fields Tyler, board member for Not for Sale; and Alyse Nelson, co-founder, president and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership.

The panelists focused on how technology can further non-profits’ missions and take their efforts to another level.

Here are a few of my notes from the program:

1. The online social network has become important for businesses in general but the person-to-person network is still important and should not be neglected.

2. Technology has allowed non-profits to give the community tools for education (the example that was given was Not for Sale’s online SlaveryMap that shows users where in the world reports of trafficking have occurred).

3. Technology and social media have created a global network that enables users to learn best practices from other users across the world.

4. Non-profits are just beginning to scratch the surface in terms integrating technology into their goals and missions.

How are legal-related non-profits using technology? I want to know!

by Kristen Pavón

If you are a staff attorney/law clerk/intern for a legal services organization or public interest law firm, you know that interviewing clients is an important part of what you do. It’s a critical skill that can always use honing.

I came across a great interviewing tip sheet focused on interviewing low-income clients in my inbox and thought it could be helpful for you!

Here are a few of the highlights:

1. Be Prepared

Have copies of all forms your client may need to fill out or take home with them. Find out ahead of time whether they anticipate coming to the office with anyone and make adjustments (ex. kids, relatives). If there are special parking arrangements, make sure you let the client know.

2. Introductions

Start with small talk. This may be the first time your client is in a law office and a) may be nervous and b) may not know what’s going to happen next. Also, depending on your practice area, the client’s issues may be emotionally trying for them — so ease them into it.

3. Lay out the Agenda

First, explain your role in his or her case (direct representation, no relationship just yet, intern, etc.). Next, give the client a roadmap of how the meeting will go so they know what to expect — you’ll ask them to tell you why he or she came in, explain that you’ll occasionally jot down notes, you’ll interrupt him or her with more specific questions, etc. Also, talk about confidentiality.

4. Start with open-ended questions.

This allows you to get a lot of information right at the beginning and you can choose what issues to focus on next.

5. Listen!

Actively listen. Give the clients nonverbal and verbal cues that you’re listening and you understand what they’re saying.

6. Follow-up.

Make sure you clarify any lingering issues. You want a full picture of what’s going on.

7. Summarize.

Before you let the client go, summarize the information they’ve given you to make sure you’ve gotten the whole story.

8. Is there anything else?

Ask this question. Always. You never know.

9. Future Communication

Talk to the client about how you will communicate with them — email, phone, work phone, etc. Also, set up your next date, time and place for next contact.

For more helpful tips about interviewing, check out this great slideshow from the Legal Aid Association of California.

What are your tried-and-true interviewing tips?

Kentucky Equal Justice Center is looking for an attorney committed to public interest advocacy and with experience in employment law to serve as staff for KEJC’s Workers’ Rights Project.

The Employment Law Attorney will provide services other than direct representation of clients. The attorney will work as a multi-forum advocate for low wage and non-traditional workers through partnerships, policy advocacy, impact litigation and community education.

Is this just what you were looking for? Find out how to apply at PSLawNet!