by Christina Jackson, NALP Director of Public Service Initiatives & Fellowships

Happy Friday!  I can’t believe it’s already August.  It’s almost time to go back to school.  But before that happens, let’s take a little vacation (even if it’s only a mental vacation) with some good news and some good tunes.

Spotlight on Outstanding Public Servants: If you know someone we should honor, drop me a line.

Here are the week’s headlines:

• DC lawyers providing more pro bono work;
• Gift to Oregon Law’s Environmental Center doubles number of fellowships;
• Former MD Governor Ehrlich & Catholic University form legal clinic;
• 50 new public defender positions created in Colorado;
• Bills proposed to shed light on government payouts under EAJA;
• Montgomery County, AL to get a public defenders office;
• Georgia State University Law to provide pro bono bankruptcy assistance;
• Spotlight on Public Service Servants: Smokey Bear and all the millions of firefighters who protect and prevent;
• Super Music Bonus!

The summaries:

August 1, 2013 – A survey by the DC Bar Foundation finds that reported pro bono hours are up in DC .  “The survey results, which included details on how firms managed pro bono programs and how pro bono hours compared with total billable hours, showed more attorneys were not only reporting pro bono work, but were doing more of it.”  Great job DC lawyers –  keep up the good work!  (The Blog of LegalTimes)

August 1, 2013 – The family of Nike pioneer Bill Bowerman gave $1 million to the school’s Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center.  The award will double the number of fellowships for the program.   The gift will also provide a number of other benefits to students and recent graduates.  (sustainable business oregon)

August 2, 2013 – Based on a recent US Supreme Court decision requiring a public defender to be present when those who can’t afford an attorney meet with prosecutors to discuss plea offers, Colorado public defenders expect an increase of cases by 28,000.  “To handle the work load, Colorado legislators increased the number public defenders statewide to handle to added work.”  The bill was recently signed into law.  “The positions won’t be announced until at least Jan.1, 2014 when the funding for the new positions is available.”  (KREX News Channel 5)

August 5, 2013 – “Former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich has teamed up with the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law to open a clinic this semester on clemency matters for people with criminal convictions, and the initiative will include a workshop for newly elected governors and their staff.”  “The CUA Law/Ehrlich Partnership on Clemency will be part of the law school’s Innocence Project Clinic. Students will receive clinical experience by preparing pardon applications.”  (boston.com)

August 5, 2013 – “Three bills introduced last week on Capitol Hill intended to curb misuse of federal dollars would reinstate tracking and reporting requirements of payments made through the Judgment Fund and Equal Access to Justice Act.”  The bills stem from accusations of abuse of the fund by anti-agricultural groups, but these bills could have some serious unintended consequences for other non-profits.  “he Judgment Fund is used to pay certain court judgments and settlements against the federal government if those costs are not otherwise covered by appropriated agency budgets.  EAJA was intended to provide individuals, small businesses and small nonprofit groups with financial assistance to sue the federal government or defend themselves from a lawsuit brought by the federal government.”  Each of the three bills intend to make the payments more transparent, but one would also require “‘direct and personal’ relationship to the case to qualify for reimbursement. ”  (Capitol Press)

August 5, 2013 – The State of Alabama has committed $2.2 million to fund a public defenders office in Montgomery County.  The appropriation brings the two-plus-year project closer to fruition.  “The next step is to hire a full-time director who will be responsible for establishing the office and hiring staff, Montgomery County Presiding Circuit Judge Charles Price said.”  The Director and Assistant Director will likely start in October or November.  (Montgomery Advertiser)

August 6, 2013 – Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia will launch the Bankruptcy Assistance and Practice Program this fall.  The program is aimed at offering pro bono bankruptcy assistance to underserved communities in Atlanta.  “Third-year students will enroll in a bankruptcy litigation, negotiation and practice course to bolster skills in bankruptcy law and will work under the supervision of mentor-attorneys to offer free assistance for academic credit.”  The program is funded by “the a competitive Teaching Innovation Grant from the College of Law and sponsorships from local law firms, the State Bar of Georgia, the Atlanta Bar Association and other organizations, university officials said.”  (North Jersey.com)

Spotlight on Outstanding Public Servants:  On this date in 1944, the first Smokey Bear poster debuted and the rest (at least for those of us older than about 25) is history.  Many of us grew up knowing “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.”  And whether you believe climate change is real or a hoax, there is strong evidence that the number of forest fires are increasing in frequency and intensity.  Even the plain old house fire can put a fire fighter in very real danger. So, if you know a firefighter or just see one in the street, please say thanks!!  (Wikipedia) (National Interagency Fire Center)

Super Music Bonus! From the mind of Christina – I was feeling like I really needed a good beach tune this week.  I hope you agree.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8rd53WuojE.

And for those of you lucky enough to be on vacation – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u2G6OyZyCI.

From the PSJD job posting:

LAC seeks to sponsor an individual for a fellowship in the following project:

Challenging the Criminal Justice System’s Discriminatory Denial of Access to Medications to Treat Opiate Addiction.  Scientific research has firmly established that treatment of opiate dependence with medications, such as methadone and buprenorphine (“Medication Assisted Treatment” or “MAT”), saves lives and reduces addiction and related criminal activity more effectively and at far less cost than incarceration.  Yet many prisons, courts, probation and parole agencies require individuals who are successfully receiving MAT to withdraw from their medications, contrary to the recommendations of treating physicians and all other objective medical evidence.  The bias against MAT generally results from misconceptions about opiate addiction and outdated stereotypes that the use of medications is “substituting one addiction for another.”  Tragically, the denial of access to MAT often leads to relapse, overdose, death, increased crime, and unnecessary incarceration.

LAC issued a report, Legality of Denying Access to Medications in the Criminal Justice System, that explains why such denial of access to MAT can violate laws prohibiting disability-based discrimination.  The fellow would help develop a multi-faceted campaign to end the forced withdrawal from MAT.  The campaign would include fact investigation, advocacy for individuals denied access to MAT (e.g., through litigation, informal advocacy, and serving as a back-up resource for criminal defense counsel), education of the relevant stakeholders, and/or policy advocacy.

If this job sounds interesting to you, act fast – the deadline is August 12, 2013! For application instructions, view the full job listing at PSJD.org.

PSJD’s Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide (unfortunately, the acronym is FLEOG) offers a broad-based review of different career opportunities and paths to employment for law students and graduates interested in federal legal careers.

The Guide is a distillation of the key content from PSJD’s more extensive Careers in Federal Government page. If you’re still hungry for more information, browse through our entire Government Careers section – we have everything from State & Local Government Career Resources to a guide on the U.S. Federal Government’s Pathways Program.

We hope you find these resources useful!

PSJD would like to give a special shout-out to Emory Law 2L Kristian Smith, who served as our wonderful Summer Projects and Publications Coordinator and contributed to this year’s FLEOG!

by Ashley Matthews, PSJD Fellow

In today’s National Law Journal Opinion section, attorney and Albany Law professor Ray Brescia makes the argument that the true value of a law degree is held in its ability to change the world – a sentiment the PSJD staff agrees with whole-heartedly:

…Thousands of lawyers across the United States are not in it for the money and never have been. What’s more, many of these lawyers find their jobs incredibly rewarding and find that their law degree actually helps them change the world.

It’s hard to put a monetary value on such power.

Lawyers across the country defend the accused, prosecute perpetrators of crime and counsel nonprofit organizations that are helping survivors of domestic violence and offering job training and other assistance to veterans. They can be found in national organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and in hundreds of local legal aid organizations offering free legal assistance to those who cannot afford it.

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by Christina Jackson, NALP Director of Public Service Initiatives & Fellowships

Happy Friday!  It is with a sad heart that we have to say goodbye to Kristian Smith, our Publications Coordinator.  She is an amazing person, and her work on the Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide and the Comprehensive Fellowship Guide are invaluable.  She will return to Emory University School of Law for her second year, and will continue in her dedication to serving the public.  A big thank you to Kristian!!

Spotlight on Outstanding Public Servants: If you know someone we should honor, drop me a line.

Here are the week’s headlines:

• Access to justice in Aboriginal Communities in Canada;
• Canadian Government reverses legal clinics funding cut;
• Efforts to help Hurricane Sandy victims continues;
• New York looks to law firm retirees for pro bono;
• Ontario invests in legal services;
• Texas Access to Justice Foundation continues support of Baylor clinic;
• Colorado examining juvenile legal aid;
• Student loan bill passes House goes to President;
• Even pre-law students think a pro bono requirement is a good idea;
• ABA weighs in on sequestration effects on public defenders;
• Spotlight on Public Service Servants: Esther Lardent, Pro Bono Institute;
• Super Music Bonus featuring Kristian Smith, PSJD Publications Coordinator!

The summaries:

July 26, 2013– “At the end of June the Attorney General of Ontario announced that Alvin Fiddler, deputy grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation would co-chair a new panel intended to help rectify the severe underrepresentation of First Nations peoples in Ontario’s justice and jury. The panel will oversee the implementation of seventeen recommendations made by former Chief Justice Frank Iacobucci in his report ‘First Nations Representation on Ontario Juries‘.  The report, which was released to the public last February, was initially intended to examine the narrow issue of First Nations peoples and jury representation.  However, with Iacobucci drawing the conclusion that the justice system as it applies to First Nations peoples is in crisis, the report can be read as much larger comment on the justice system more widely.”  I’m certain these conclusions came as no surprise to those interested in access to justice for everyone.  Hopefully, the panel will make some concrete progress soon.  (Slaw – Canada’s online legal magazine)

July 26, 2013 – In very good news for legal aid in Canada, the government has reversed a proposed additional $1 million cut in funding.  “Legal clinics still face a previously announced cut of $5.5 million for 2014.  But the extra $1 million cut that was recently added without consultation will be eliminated.”  Legal clinics still face other cuts, and there are still potential closures in the long-term, but at least for now, the government is listening.  (The Windsor Star)

July 26, 2013 – Over the weekend, World Renew volunteers set up a Sandy Help Fair to “help folks sign up for rebuilding help, legal aid, mold remediation or a disaster case manager, who could point them in the direction of available government recovery funds.”  The recovery effort will go on for some time, and greatest need for legal assistance often comes later.  Check out the article for ways to help.  (Staten Island Advance)

July 26, 2013 – Baby boomers are retiring from law firms in droves and the need for pro bono assistance has never been greater.  To bring the two together, “[t]hree years ago, New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman named John Feerick (director of the Feerick Center for Social Justice at Fordham Law School) and Fern Schair (chair of the center’s advisory board) cochairs of the Attorney Emeritus Program.”  So far, nine firms have signed the participation agreement.  Replicating this program around the country could go a long way in closing the justice gap and give newer attorneys the opportunity to learn.  So, if you’re starting a pro bono program or looking for new blood, don’t forget about the wonderful lawyers with new time on their hands.  (The American Lawyer)

July 29, 2013 – “Ontario is investing in frontline legal aid services to enhance fairness and improve access to justice for low-income families and vulnerable Ontarians.  The government is investing $30 million over three years to improve delivery of frontline client services through Family Law Service Centres and community and legal clinics across the province.”  “Community legal clinics are an important part of the legal aid system, and this funding will help these clinics better respond to the needs of vulnerable people.”  (Ontario News)

July 30, 2013 – ” Baylor Law School has once again received a grant from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation to fund its Veterans Assistance Clinic.  The monthly clinic provides local veterans with legal advice and counsel from law students, faculty members and local attorneys.”  “Baylor Law’s Veterans Assistance Clinic launched last year with the help of a $22,000 grant from the foundation. The clinic will receive the same grant amount this year.”  (Baylor Media Communications)

July 30, 2013 – “At least half of the indigent juvenile offenders in Colorado don’t get legal representation, experts told state lawmakers who began studying the issue Tuesday for possible legislation next year.”  Lawmakers have put together a committee to examine the issue with the potential for proposed legislation in October.  One of the key issues will be adequate resources to provide specialized representation in rural areas.  (ctpost.com)

August 1, 2013 – So after much wrangling, Congress has finally passed something – the student loan bill.  What does that mean for your students?  Check out the updates on NALPconnect in the Public Service Section.  Here are a few articles with different takes on what it all means.  (Politico) (Wall Street Journal Market Watch) (The New York Times)

August 1, 2013 – In what is hopefully a sign of more people doing more pro bono, 68% of the pre-law students surveyed in June by Kaplan Test Prep “said they support a rule requiring law students to complete a certain amount of pro bono work before being admitted to the bar.”   With the NY requirements and the more states hot on it’s heels, we will see potentially an exponential increase in the number of students wanting and needing to do some pro bono work.  Good news for the justice gap.  But, we want to make sure it is smartly done.  Law schools can help by partnering with organizations to provide capable law students and help in the vetting process.  (New York Law Journal)

August 1, 2013 – “The ABA warns in a letter to a U.S. senator that budget cuts to public defender offices imposed by sequestration are ‘creating a marked imbalance in our justice system.’  The letter is intended to supplement the record of a July 23 hearing on the impact of sequestration on federal courts. The letter warns that inadequate funding of any particular justice system function ‘will have a negative ripple effect on the rest of the judicial system, a phenomenon amply demonstrated by the effect that funding cuts to defender services has had on the operation of the courts.’  The sequestration is having differing effects on prosecutor and defender’s offices, creating a marked imbalance in the justice system at the federal level.  (ABA Journal)

Spotlight on Outstanding Public Servants:  Esther Lardent at the Pro Bono Institute is raising the bar for pro bono.  “Her impact has been unparalleled,” says Christopher Herrling, pro bono counsel at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr. “She, more than any individual I can think of, has brought law firm pro bono into the mainstream and made it so that every major law firm in the U.S. [has established a] pro bono program supported by firm leadership.”  Thank you to Esther for standardizing and publicizing all the good work done by law firms and encouraging them to do more.  (The American Lawyer)

Super Music Bonus! Kristian Smith, PSJD Publications Coordinator gives her last musical contribution.  It’s so hard to say goodbye.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18uuczwHp78

When New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman announced the mandatory pro bono requirements for the state’s bar applicants, the legal community reacted with almost equal parts criticism and approval. What many viewed as an innovative way to help close the justice gap, others viewed as just another way to get free labor out of a class of recent graduates already struggling to look for work.

But the next generation of lawyers is all for it. From the National Law Journal:

“…more than half the 750 pre-law students surveyed in June by Kaplan Test Prep—68 percent to be exact—said they support a rule requiring law students to complete a certain amount of pro bono work before being admitted to the bar.

New York is the only state with such a requirement; starting in 2015, applicants to the bar there must have competed 50 hours of eligible pro bono work. Meanwhile, officials with the State Bar of California are preparing to impose a 50-hour pro bono requirement and a New Jersey Supreme Court panel has recommended a similar rule.”

All of us here at PSJD are happy pre-law students are catching the pro bono bug! Every year we celebrate law students with a deep commitment to pro bono with our Pro Bono Publico Award, which gives $1,000 to a deserving law student who is known throughout their community for their public service.

If you know a second- or third-year law student from a PSJD subscriber school who would be perfect for this award, go ahead and nominate them! Just click on the forms below, print them and fill them out by August 30, 2013. If you have any questions, contact Christina Jackson at cjackson@nalp.org.

Good luck!

From the PSJD job posting:

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for equal rights, seeks a highly experienced attorney with non-profit experience, member of the Maryland/DC Bar Association. Work experience in public interest law firm, civil rights association, legislative committee or the government preferred.

The Assistant General Counsel’s office maintains basic corporate documents and provides staff service to the Board of Directors and Committees.

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Created by executive order in 2010, the Pathways program creates a clear path to federal internships and entry-level careers. With a focus on improving the federal government’s recruiting efforts, Pathways offers a unique opportunity for students and recent law graduates to gain access to fulfilling government careers.

If you want more information on the Pathways program, PSJD has got you covered! We just created a new page in our Resource Center devoted specifically to helping you navigate the program, with links to even more helpful resources.

Check it out on PSJD!

by Christina Jackson, NALP Director of Public Service Initiatives & Fellowships

Happy Friday!

Spotlight on Outstanding Public Servants: If you know someone we should honor, drop me a line.

Here are the week’s headlines:

• British Columbia legal aid lawyers halt funding protest to show good will to new justice minister;
• Senate Appropriations Committee Allocates $430 Million for LSC;
• New GC for New York Lawyers for the Public Interest;
• Grants give Legal Services of Northern California shot in the arm;
• Crowdfunding comes to legal services;
• Spotlight on Public Service Servants: the US Postal Service, founded on this day in 1775;
• Super Music Bonus featuring Kristian Smith, PSJD Publications Coordinator!

The summaries:

July 19, 2013– “Lawyers who handle legal aid cases in British Columbia have put their protest on hold in an effort to get talks started with the new provincial justice minister after an 18-month deadlock.”  BC trial attorneys began a job action is January 2012, refusing to serve as duty council to those who are appearing for the first time or don’t have a lawyer.  The lawyers are no longer withdrawing their services.Justice Minister Suzanne Anton issued a statement Friday saying she’s looking forward to meeting with legal aid lawyers.  (The Vancouver Sun)

July 19, 2013 – The Senate Appropriations Committee just approved $430 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in FY 2014.  This is a $90 million increase over LSC’s current funding level.  Great news if it clears Congress, so keep your fingers crossed.  (Legal Services Corporation)

July 23, 2013–  “The nonprofit community law organization New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) has chosen Miranda Massie as their new general counsel. Massie is serving as GC while continuing in her role as the organization’s legal director.”  “In a statement from NYLPI announcing her new position, McGregor Smyth, executive director of the organization, praised Massie’s qualifications.”  “Massie, who started as an environmental justice staff attorney at NYLPI five years ago, told CorpCounsel.com that she is quite pleased by the prospect of helping the organization move forward during a time of growth.”  (Corporate Counsel)

July 23, 2013 –  A pair of grants will temporarily give Legal Services of Northern California the ability to double their efforts to assist low-income residents on the North Coast.  “One grant funded, largely by the National Mortgage Settlement Funds, will add approximately six full-time attorneys to LSNC, which serves low-income residents in 23 Northern California counties.  The other, funded primarily by the Department of Managed Health Care, could add as many as 12 full-time attorneys.”  The term of the grants is 18 months.  (Times-Standard)

July 24, 2013 –  JustAccess is a new crowdfunding resource aimed at increasing access to justice.  Sam Saad, a founder partner and managing director of JustAccess says the goal is to raise $10,000 to support three cases in November.  He is currently in the process of vetting cases, and then the crowd will decide which to support.   The platform is designed to “be an open platform that will not decide on any type of law, or any ideology, or any values, but rather just act as a platform where folks can share their stories and find like-minded individuals,” says Saad.  Once the funds are raised, the litigants will choose their own counsel.  (Canadian Lawyer Magazine)

Spotlight on Outstanding Public Servants:  On this date in 1775, the US Postal System was established with Benjamin Frankin as the first postmaster general.  He would create structures for delivering the mail we still use today.  Now, the United States has over 40,000 post offices and the postal service delivers 212 billion pieces of mail each year to over 144 million homes and businesses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the American Virgin Islands and American Samoa. The postal service is the nation’s largest civilian employer, with over 700,000 career workers, who handle more than 44 percent of the world’s cards and letters.  Although the use of the postal system has greatly decreased since the advent of email, who doesn’t still eagerly await their birthday or holiday cards?  Let’s give a big thanks to the many, many hardworking individuals who make those wonderful moments possible.

Super Music Bonus! Kristian Smith, PSJD Publications Coordinator has taken over the reigns for a while.  Today, we salute the many postal workers who bring us important letters and packages.  Thank you!!  – Please, Mr. Postman:

EDITOR’S NOTE: Every summer, PSJD hires current law and pre-law students as Project Assistants. They help us manage our website, social media marketing, and more.  These students come from different schools all over the country, but they are all united in their commitment to pro bono and public interest law. They do such an amazing job at helping us out that we’ve dubbed them our “Project Assassins”! Every day this week, a different Project Assassin will be contributing to the blog, discussing their particular legal interests. In this edition, Charis Redmond, a senior pre-law student at George Washington University, discusses her journey through the law school application process and her dedication to youth and education.

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