We are pleased to announce that the 2017 PSJD Pro Bono Public Award Winner is Lydia X. Z. Brown. This prestigious award honors one law student nationwide for their pro bono contributions to society, and recognizes the significant contributions that law students make to underserved populations, the public interest community, and legal education through public service work.

This year we received twenty-one impressive nominations. After much deliberation, we selected eight finalists. In addition to our winner, we have also selected two Merit Distinction recipients. In addition, we will be presenting Lydia with their award at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Lydia X. Z. Brown and our Merit Distinction recipients will all be guest bloggers for the PSJD Blog.

Our winner, Merit Distinction recipients, and finalists are highlighted below. Thank you to our impressive pool of nominees for the incredible public interest work they are doing.

WINNER: Lydia X.Z. Brown | Northeastern University School of Law

This year’s Pro Bono Publico Award Winner is Lydia X. Z. Brown, a 3L at Northeastern University School of Law. Lydia’s record advocating for individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ people, and people of color extends across the country and begins well before law school. At Northeastern, Lydia has served on the Committee Against Institutional Racism, the Transgender Justice Task force, and the Disability Justice Caucus–of which they are a Co-Founder. Lydia’s commitment to legal service is also apparent in the impressive number of pro bono hours they have worked at the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the Prisoners’ Rights Clinic at Northeastern, the ACLU, the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, the Movement Advancement Project, the National LGBTQ Task Force, and the Disability Law Center of Massachusetts. Lydia speaks, publishes, and advocates. They serve on councils and organize vigils. They are a adjunct professor of the intersectionality between disability, gender, and minority status, a voice for change among young people, and a valued peer of many who are older. We are honored to confer our 2017 award upon Lydia.

Merit Distinction Finalist: Danya Jones | Lewis & Clark Law School

Now a 3L, Dayna has relentlessly dedicated her time in law school to environmental justice and Native American Civil Rights issues. Working at the intersection of these two concerns, Dayna helped the Chemawa Indian School launch its Peer Court program, served as Treasurer of the Native American Law Student Association. Her most significant contributions, though, are legislative: when the governor of Oregon convened a Cleaner Air Oregon process to review the state’s air toxic rules, Dayna provided support to OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon; as an intern for State Representative Karin Power, she convinced her boss to advocate for overhauling the state’s air toxics rules on the floor of the Oregon House. We are excited to see what she accomplishes next.

Merit Distinction Finalist: Brigitte Malatjalian | Southwestern Law School

Brigitte’s commitment to serving the Armenian community within Greater Los Angeles has set a powerful example for both fellow students and practicing attorneys. Brigitte began her law school career volunteering with the Homelessness Prevention Law Project. She then spent two years working at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, where she gained a deeper understanding of systemic injustices and a powerful desire to help address them. Ultimately, this drive led her to form a partnership between Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles and the Armenian Bar Association and start a pilot clinic providing free legal services in “Second Armenia” (Glendale California). When she graduates this Spring, she will leave behind a successful pilot; NLS and the Armenian Bar Association plan to continue the clinic. We are thrilled for this opportunity to call attention to Brigitte’s accomplishments.

Other Award Finalists:

Coones, Patrick | University of Alberta Faculty of Law

Developed a program with Action Coalition of Human Trafficking Alberta that provides victims of human trafficking with legal assistance.

Fletcher, Corinne | Lewis & Clark Law School

Created a Student Directed Reading Group for Lewis & Clark Law School and MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility students; used her program to convince state legislators to advocate for procedural reform in the juvenile justice system.

Goodman, Jason Landau | University of Pittsburgh School of Law

LGBTQ advocate who wrote a current model Pennsylvania policy for transgender student inclusion.

Gustin, Erika | Notre Dame Law School

Co-established the Notre Dame Exoneration Project.

Kulak, Ashe | Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Assisted Indiana University’s LGBT Pro Bono Project in expansion to include policy work.

Photo: Brenda Gottesman – CC License

SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIP 2017 

ACLU OF WASHINGTON SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIPS 2018

The Organization

The ACLU is the nation’s premiere organization dedicated to defending and expanding all civil liberties and civil rights in America. Our job is to conserve America’s original civic values – the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.government.

The Position

At the ACLU-WA, law students gain exposure to a broad range of civil liberties and civil rights issues and the opportunity to improve legal writing and research skills. Students can work in either the litigation department, or in the policy advocacy group. Students will work closely with staff attorneys on active litigation, case development, advocacy with community groups and government entities, and legal research.

Want to make a difference?  Check out the full-post on PSJD.

Photo: Brenda Gottesman – CC License

Summer 2018 Legal Intern

Western Environmental Law Center

The Organization

Western Environmental Law Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public interest environmental law firm. We use the power of the law to safeguard the public lands, wildlife, and communities of the American West in the face of a changing climate. To learn more about the Western Environmental Law Center, please visit our website at www.westernlaw.org..

The Position

The Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) is accepting applications from law students currently in their second or third year of law school (2L or 3L) for summer 2018 legal internship positions to work with our attorneys in these locations: Helena, Montana; and Taos, New Mexico. We are looking for bright and motivated individuals committed to public interest environmental law.

Under the supervision of a staff attorney in the office location in which they are hired, the selected interns will assist our attorneys with case development and strategy, conduct legal research, and draft pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents. The internships are unfunded positions. We will provide assistance to the selected applicants in seeking outside funding or law school credit, and in finding free or inexpensive housing. We offer a flexible summer work schedule to allow for outdoor recreation and travel.

Ready to be an environmental crusader?  Check out the full-post on PSJD.

Every October a national celebration known as Pro Bono Week takes place. Pro Bono Week provides attorneys and law students with a chance to get give back in their communities by volunteering pro bono. Here at PSJD, we are passionate about Pro Bono Week and want to highlight some of the active pro bono opportunities on our site:

PSJD Opportunities by Region:

     Mid-Atlantic:

• Volunteer Attorney, National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, (Washington, D.C.)
• Outreach, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, (Washington, D.C.)

     Southeast:

• Short-Term Volunteer, Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, (El Paso, TX.)

      Midwest:

• Volunteer Attorneys and Students, First Defense Legal Aid, (Chicago, IL.)
• Pro Bono Project Coordinator, Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, (Chicago, IL.)

     West Coast/Rocky Mountain:

• Pro Bono Attorney, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, (Westminster, Colorado)

Outside Opportunities

In addition to PSJD opportunities, we have included other coordinated events in major cities. If you want to participate, but don’t see an event in your local area look at the American Bar Association’s comprehensive list of pro bono events organized by state by clicking here. There are thousands of events happening across the nation. A few of these events are:

     Northeast:

• Boston Bar Association (Boston, MA): Boston Bar Association has highlighted several events going on in greater Boston area. For a full list, please click here.
• NYCourts.Gov (New York): NYCourts.gov has several ways to get involved in the New York area. For a full list, please click here.
• Mass Pro Bono (Massachusetts): Mass Pro Bono has several pro bono events taking place throughout the month of October. To view their full calendar, please click here.
• Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project (Portland, Maine): This organization will be hosting a “Free Legal Answers May Kick-Off Event”. For the full details, please click here.

Mid-Atlantic:

• Washington Council for Lawyers (Washington, D.C.): Washington Council of Lawyers plans extensive Pro Bono Week events in the Washington, D.C. area. To see their full schedule of events, please click here. To see affiliated events up on their site, please click here.
• D.C. Law Students in Court Program (Washington, D.C.): This organization will be hosting a training titled “Sealing DC Criminal Records.” For full event details, please click here.

     Southeast:

• Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. (Jacksonville, FL.): This organization will host an event titled “Hurricane Recovery Pro Bono Opportunities!”, which will provide more information on how local attorneys can get involved in hurricane relief efforts. For more information, please click here.
• Houston Bar Association Legal Line (Houston, TX.): This organization is hosting an event called “Special Hurricane Relief Legal Line” where Texans impacted by Hurricane Harvey can call in with legal questions. To learn more about the event, please click here.
• Lone Star Legal Aid (Jacksonville, TX.): This organization will be hosting an event titled “Pro Bono Awards Ceremony and Cherokee County Bar Association Meeting-Recruiting Event” which will honor the Cherokee County Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. For more information, please click here.

     Midwest:

• Public Interest Law Initiative, Chicago Law School Consortium (Chicago, IL.): These organizations have joined efforts to host an event titled, “Explore the Possibilities: Public Interest Law Opportunities for Law Students”, which will provide law students in the area with more insight into public interest opportunities within the community. For more details, please click here.
• Wayne County Friend of the Court (Detroit, MI.): This organization will be hosting an event titled “PPO Affidavit Assistance Project”, which will provide aid to victims of domestic violence and stalking by helping to fill out PPO applications. For more information, please click here.
• Legal Action of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin Law School (Madison, WI.): These two organizations have teamed up to host an event called “Housing Advice Clinic” which will assist individuals with security deposit and small claims damages against landlords. For more information, please click here.

     West Coast/Rocky Mountain:

• Practicing Law Institute (San Francisco, CA.): This organization will host an event titled “California Special Education Law 2017”, is a conference which will highlight the changes in California Special Education law that have occurred over the past year. For more information, please click here.
• Denver Bar Association -Metro Volunteer Lawyers, Denver Access to Justice (Denver, CO.): These two organizations have teamed up to host an event titled, “Get Introduced to Volunteering with Metro Volunteer Lawyers.” This event will include speakers and a training on pro bono volunteering. For more information, please click here.

If you have any questions about Pro Bono Week, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at PSJD@nalp.org. Over the next several days our social media accounts will be highlighting additional ways for attorneys and law students to get involved.

Photo: Brenda Gottesman – CC License

General Tribal Attorney

The Organization

The Nisqually Indian Tribe is known for its innovative programs to restore and protect the Nisqually River and Puget Sound as well as its efforts to build a vibrant economy and create jobs for its community. Messages can be sent to Leighanna Scott.

The Position

Assist and advise the Nisqually Tribal Council, Legal Department Director, and tribal departments in the legal matters related to the management, affairs, and interests of the Tribe.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and services to Tribal Council.
• Coordinate with Director to provide legal advice and assistance to tribal law enforcement; tribal court; the Indian child welfare department; the tribal health clinic; and other administrative departments (social services, education, personnel, accounting, planning, etc.)
• Coordinate with Director in the negotiation of agreements with other state and local governments.
• Advise Tribal Council regarding compliance with applicable federal, state, and tribal laws, grant and contractual obligations, internal policies.
• Review, advise and coordinate execution of contracts entered into by Nisqually Tribe.
• Collaborate with Tribal Council to create, modify, and facilitate enforcement of tribal laws, codes, and policy.
• Provide legal advice to Tribal Council related to employment classification and dispute resolution.
• Review contracts and draft ordinances, legal briefs, memorandums, policies, codes, resolutions, and other legal documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Ready for this new opportunity? Check it out here on PSJD.

Photo: Brenda Gottesman – CC License

Staff Attorney (Appellate) 

The Organization: 

The Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center (MJC) is accepting applications for an appellate staff attorney position in its Washington, D.C. office. MJC is a public interest law firm that litigates high-impact civil rights and systemic reform cases in courts around the country. Working in collaboration with four other MJC offices, the Washington D.C. office is part of the firm’s Appellate Project, which seeks to advance criminal and racial justice through litigation before federal and state courts of appeal and the Supreme Court of the United States. For more information about MJC and its past work, click here.

The Position:

MJC is looking for an attorney with one to three years of experience, who is passionate about both criminal justice issues and appellate work. The successful candidate will work on appeals that concern a broad array of issues, including prisoner and detainee rights, police misconduct, constitutional rights of accused persons, and religious discrimination at the border. Specific responsibilities include:

Know you would be a stellar fit for the position? See the full post on PSJD.

Photo: Brenda Gottesman – CC License

The Singer Connecticut Public Service Fellowship Program

The Organization

The Singer Connecticut Public Service Fellowship Program was established for the purpose of offering opportunities to recent law school graduates to gain practical experience working for Connecticut civil legal aid providers.

The Position

Candidates are sought from a broad spectrum of backgrounds who reflect the diversity of residents of Connecticut’s cities, towns and rural communities served by the state’s legal aid providers. The work of the legal aid providers encompass a wide range of legal issues, including but not limited to family, domestic violence, landlord-tenant, housing, education, employment, immigration, government benefits, healthcare, and elder law.

The aspirational goal of the Singer Connecticut Public Service Fellowship Program is to retain Fellows to practice public interest law in Connecticut upon completion of the Fellowship.

Singer Connecticut Public Service Fellowship Program Applicants Must:

• be a recent graduate or a law student in his or her graduating year from an accredited law school prior to commencement of the Fellowship;
• have submitted a completed Fellowship Application;
• have satisfactorily completed an interview with the Selection Committee;
• be admitted to the Bar of the State of Connecticut prior to or during the term of the Fellowship

Is this your dream opportunity?  See the full-post on PSJD.

Photo: Brenda Gottesman – CC License

SPRING 2018 LEGAL INTERNSHIP

NASA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – OFFICE OF THE CHIEF COUNSEL 

The Organization

The Office of the Chief Counsel at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is a dynamic, interesting, and spirited law practice comprising 20 legal professionals who, as a cohesive and collegial organization, provide the full range of legal advice and legal services for NASA’s programs and operations at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

We are an industrious team of public servants who are focused on results while embracing camaraderie, cooperation, mutual respect, diversity, sound perspective, a sense of humor, passion for the practice of law, and compassion for each other. As an added benefit, you would be joining an agency ranked as one of the best places to work in the federal government.

The Position

We are looking for talented and enthusiastic law school interns. If you want an internship in a dynamic environment that is both exceptionally challenging and rewarding, then come join the NASA legal team at Kennedy Space Center where you will have an opportunity to use your current skills, build new ones, and make valuable contributions to the Office of the Chief Counsel.

Know that you would be a great fit?  Check out the full-post on PSJD.