Marissa LaVette, Assistant Staff Counsel | ABA Center for Pro Bono
2019 ABA EJC Conference Banner
Spring is around the corner! Spring’s return means the 2019 ABA/NLADA Equal Justice Conference (EJC) is almost here, and with it, the annual Law School Pro Bono Advisor’s Pre-Conference! The 2019 EJC is May 8-11, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky at the Louisville Downtown Marriott. The Law School Pro Bono Advisors Pre-Conference will take place on May 8, 2019 from 8am-5pm.
This year’s pre-conference will offer programming on a variety of topics relevant to law school pro bono advisors. We will open the pre-conference with an inspirational and interactive session exploring self-care for pro bono advisors to sustain themselves and their students in challenging times. Law school pro bono colleagues will then lead attendees in the annual Connecting with Colleagues session, which gives attendees a chance to network and connect with colleagues from across the country. Colleagues can explore common obstacles to completing their work and discuss what they find most fulfilling about their jobs.
Next, the entire group will participate in a Project Exchange session, which will allow colleagues to brainstorm and exchange ideas on different models of pro bono projects used by schools across the country. Attendees will be able to brainstorm with colleagues from similarly situated programs to discuss ideas for new pro bono projects and solutions to common obstacles faced in the law school pro bono realm.
After lunch, participants will head into breakout sessions that address the following topics:
The basics of running a law school pro bono program for those newer to the field. Learn the basics of building and re-energizing a pro bono program, and how to tackle specific issues in your program such as recognition, tracking hours, and troubleshooting challenges.
Strategies for schools in remote areas to serve clients through a pro bono program and ways for schools in more urban areas to tackle the rural pro bono needs.
A session on doing more with less, to help pro bono coordinators strategize how to involve more students in pro bono, raise the profile of your pro bono program, and meet challenges you faxe as you gain a fresh start on your program.
Plan to come away from the pre-conference with an action plan that you can implement to reinvigorate your pro bono program. Following the pre-conference, an exciting EJC awaits! This year’s Conference will have 85 CLE accredited sessions, energizing speakers, and numerous networking opportunities. The Conference provides a wide range of learning and sharing experiences for all attendees. We hope to see you there! Please contact Marissa LaVette if you have additional questions!
Do you know a law professor who is doing great things? Nominate them today for the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award Trust.
Overview of the Award: Gail McKnight Beckman created the Beckman Award to benefit teachers who have inspired their former students to make a significant contribution to society. The award is given to current or former academic faculty members who have inspired their former students to “create an organization which has demonstrably conferred a benefit on the community at large.” Alternatively, the academic faculty member must have inspired their former students to “establish on a lasting basis a concept, procedure, or movement of comparable benefit to the community at large.”
Types of Support: Award recipients will receive $25,000 as a one-time award to be used at their sole discretion (taxable income).
Application Deadline: Nomination application packages must be submitted via email by May 25 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
This past week the PSJD Pro Bono Publico Award Committee made some tough decisions regarding which of the many exemplary nominees would advance as finalists. These choices were difficult to say the least, as the pool of applicants was particularly talented this year. The committee is proud to announce that the following finalists:
Congratulations to every law student who was nominated by their school. The applicant pool was full of talented nominees doing meaningful public interest work within their communities. The committee greatly enjoys being tasked with the opportunity to learn about the exciting Pro Bono work these exceptional students are doing all across North America. We look forward to announcing the Pro Bono Publico Award winner and the merit distinctions at the 2017 NALP PSJD Public Service Mini-Conference.
Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through five regional offices. Land of Lincoln is funded by numerous partners, including the Legal Services Corporation, Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, CNCS AmeriCorps and Equal Justice Works, United Way, Area Agencies on Aging.
The Position
Equal Justice Works and AmeriCorps have partnered together to provide the Veterans Legal Corps Fellowship opportunity to aid the legal needs of veterans and military families across the nation. The Veteran Legal Corps (VLC) Fellow will provide civil legal assistance to veterans and military families.
One Fellowship is available in the Eastern Regional office, in Champaign, Illinois. Based on Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps guidelines, the term of service will begin in September 2017 for one year (with a possible renewal contingent upon continued AmeriCorps funding). Position requires completion of NSOPR, state(s), and FBI Fingerprint criminal background checks and compliance with all CNCS Federal Regulations throughout the fellowship program.
Is this your dream opportunity? See the full-post on PSJD.
It’s that time of year again. We are seeking nominations for the 2017 PSJD Pro Bono Publico Award. Information is below. You can find additional information and the nomination form on PSJD. The deadline for nominations has been extended to Friday, September 8th by 5:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please email psjd@nalp.org.
Purpose
To recognize the significant contributions that law students make to underserved populations, the public interest community, and legal education by performing pro bono work.
Eligibility
The Pro Bono Publico Award is available to any second- or third-year law student at a PSJD U.S. or Canadian Subscriber School. Each Subscriber School may submit up to 2 nominees. The recipient will be announced during National Pro Bono Week – usually held in October – and honored during an Award Ceremony at the recipient’s school thereafter. The award recipient will receive a commemorative plaque and a monetary award of $1,000.
Award Criteria
Selection is based on the extracurricular commitment the nominees have made to law-related public service projects or organizations; the quality of work they performed; and the impact of their work on the community, their fellow students, and the school. Actual pro bono work will be the primary consideration.
Nomination Deadline & Packet Contents
Initial nominations must be received by Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 5pm Eastern Time, by fax, mail, or email (see contact information at bottom). Along with the nomination form and a résumé, nomination packets should include a two-page statement detailing the work the nominee has done, the impact it has had on the nominee’s community, and why this nominee is deserving of the award. Input or quotes from those involved in the work or from impacted community members may be included and are strongly encouraged. PLEASE SUBMIT ONE PDF CONTAINING ALL THE NOMINATION MATERIALS.
Need an idea for your nomination? Check out the 2016 Pro Bono Publico Award winner Gabrielle Lucero’s blog post at the link below.
The Place: On September 23rd and 24th, University of California will again host its inaugural Public Service Law Conference at UCLA’s Luskin Center.
The Event: “In partnership with the UC Office of the President, Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), Berkeley School of Law, UCLA School of Law, UC Davis School of Law, and UC Irvine School of Law, the conference will bring together more than 500 law students, faculty members, lawyers, and nonprofit professionals committed to advancing civil rights and the public good. Panels and speeches will focus on the people, organizations, and systems working on the legal aspects of vital issues like immigration, homelessness, police accountability, water rights, and veterans’ issues during a day-and-a-half long conference.
Keynote Speakers and Panelists Include: Janet Napolitano, President of the University of California; Peter Neufeld, Co-Founder of the Innocence Project; Marielena Hincapie, Executive Director at the National Immigration Law Center; Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean at UC Berkeley School of Law; Jennifer Mnookin, Dean at UCLA School of Law; Kevin Johnson, Dean at UC Davis School of Law; L. Song Richardson, Interim Dean at UC Irvine School of Law; and more.
Registering: Individuals interested in attending the conference may register here. Registration is $150 and includes a lunch and evening reception on the first day with speakers and sponsors, breakfast on the second day, and all CLE costs (if applicable).”
Why We At PSJD Would Go: Due to University of California’s large network of schools and outreach within the state, the speakers at this event are among the best attorneys in the Public Sector and in their respective fields. Each is an expert on the topic they will be lecturing on and could potentially offer a plethora of insights into their specialties. In addition, the conference has particular workshops focused on furthering your own career in public service, including a panel entitled “How to Get a Job: Panel of Experts.” Plus, who doesn’t want a good excuse to soak up some Southern California sunshine?
PSJD is now accepting applications from law school nominators for the 2017 PSJD Pro Bono Publico Award. The Pro Bono Publico Award recognizes the significant contributions that law students make to underserved populations, the public interest community, and legal education by performing pro bono work.
Eligibility
The Pro Bono Publico Award is available to any second- or third-year law student at a PSJD U.S. or Canadian Subscriber School. Each Subscriber School may submit up to 2 nominees. The recipient will be announced during National Pro Bono Week – usually held in October – and honored during an Award Ceremony at the recipient’s school thereafter. The award recipient will receive a commemorative plaque and a monetary award of $1,000.
Award Criteria
Selection is based on the extracurricular commitment the nominees have made to law-related public service projects or organizations; the quality of work they performed; and the impact of their work on the community, their fellow students, and the school. Actual pro bono work will be the primary consideration.
Nomination Deadline & Packet Contents
Initial nominations must be received by Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 5pm Eastern Time, by fax, mail, or email (to cjackson@nalp.org). Along with the nomination form and a résumé, nomination packets should include a two-page statement detailing the work the nominee has done, the impact it has had on the nominee’s community, and why this nominee is deserving of the award. Input or quotes from those involved in the work or from impacted community members may be included and are strongly encouraged. PLEASE SUBMIT ONE PDF CONTAINING ALL THE NOMINATION MATERIALS.
Fellowships are awesome! That’s why Washington Council of Lawyers, NALP and Georgetown University Law Center are pleased to present Fellowships 101, an introduction to postgraduate public interest fellowships.
When: Thursday, June 22, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Where: Georgetown University Law Center Cost: Free for Washington Council of Lawyers members; $8 for non-members (It’s dinner!)
We will start the evening with an opening networking reception where you can chat with past and current fellows from a variety of programs. Next, learn about online resources like PSJD from NALP fellow Delisa Morris. Up next, our panel of experts will share information about different programs and tips for putting together the best fellowships application possible. Our panel includes:
Adina Appelbaum (Equal Justice Works Fellow, CAIR Coalition)
Where: Georgetown University Law Center – Gewirz Center, 12th Floor (120 F Street NW)
Cost: Free for WCL Members; $8 for non-members
Fellowships 101 introduces law students to post-graduate public-interest fellowships. It has three parts:
First, the evening starts with a casual reception, where you’ll meet current and past fellows.
Next, NALP fellow Delisa Morris will discuss PSJD and other online resources for finding fellowships.
Finally, our expert panelists will explain how to maximize your chances of landing the fellowship of your dreams, and they’ll take audience questions as well. The panel includes:
Adina Appelbaum (Equal Justice Works Fellow, CAIR Coalition);
If you’re looking to improve your courtroom skills, this program is for you. Hosted by the Washington Council of Lawyers, this two-day intensive litigation skills training will have you on your feet and practicing. Whether you want to stand up in court as often as possible or are nervous about your first trial, this program has something for everyone. Litigation Skills Series: Intensive Litigation Skills Training takes place on Thursday, May 4 and Friday, May 5. Each day’s training will run from 9 am to 5 pm at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer (601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC). RSVP by clicking here.
In addition to loads of trial training, there will also be talks from Christine Clapp (Spoken With Authority), who will share useful tips for oral presentations of all kinds, and Judge Christopher Cooper (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia), who will talk about using trial skills in pro bono and public-interest cases. Scholarships are also available due to the generosity of the D.C. Bar Foundation; email for information on how to apply.
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