News Archive 2006

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July 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006

New Pro Bono Group Formed - The Children's Special Education Project

The Education Law and Policy Society, in conjunction with the Office Public Interest and Pro Bono, is pleased to announce a new pro bono project, The Children's Special Education Project, to begin in the Spring Semester of 2007. Below is a short description of the program, which will be coordinated by the Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC) and Professor Jane Wettach, and is open to all interested Duke Law and Policy students.

Because ECAC will need a "critical mass" of interested students to participate, we need to determine whether there is sufficient interest amongst the student body to get this project off the ground. If the program is of interest to you, please email christopher.lott@law.duke.edubefore break. Let it be stressed that YOU ARE NOT COMMITTING TO PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT BY EXPRESSING INTEREST. An informational meeting will be held early next semester for those who are interested. At that time, express commitments will be necessary.

If there are any questions--about levels of time commitment, or anything else--please do not hesitate to contact Chris at the e-mail address above. Best of luck on exams, and have a wonderful holiday!

Sincerely,

Sarah Campbell
Chris Lott
ELPS Co-Chairs


The Children's Special Education Project

The project will be modeled off of the "IEP Partners" project, run by the Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC), which operates a variety of programs to provide support and assistance to children with disabilities and their parents. The Children's Special Education Project will train Duke students to support parents of special education students at IEP meetings. At IEP meetings, the parents of a special education student (and sometimes the student) meet with a number of school officials to draw up an individualized educational plan. Duke students who participate in the program will act as Supportive Partners for the families in these meetings. Duke students will not represent the families in a legal capacity, but rather help the parent get ready for the meeting, help the parent ask questions at the meeting, and help interpret the meeting to the parent.

A reasonable amount of training is necessary to participate in the program. The training usually lasts 12 -16 hours; it can be broken down into three to four individual sessions. The ECAC staff is willing to come to the law school to train a group of interested law students and to then coordinate assigning of the trained students to parents who need support.

More information about ECAC and the IEP Partners Project can be found at:
http://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/

Posted: November 29, 2006
 
 
Southern Justice Spring Break Mission Trip Information Session

This is the time to hear more of the details of what is planned for spring break, and think about what you might want to do. Opportunities include several prestigious organizations throughout the South. Prior trips have included:
* legal aid and mine environmental and safety work in Appalachian KY
* working on prison conditions for Alabama inmates with AIDS at the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta
* child care subsidization and juvenile detention reform at the Mississippi Center for Justice in Jackson, MS
* public defender work in Honolulu, Hawaii
* death penalty work in Alabama
* hurricane-related work in New Orleans, Fort Worth, and Mississippi

As for the hurricane-related work, we took advantage of the recent visit of Morgan Williams, the Co-Founder of the Student Hurricane Network, to consider how we could best use our time in New Orleans - in part by taking some of our projects with us. Let's talk about taking the Duke Law VITA program to New Orleans, and perhaps how our other pro bono groups might find projects that match what you do already. Your ideas welcome.

For more information, contact amy.curry@law.duke.edu.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - 12:10, Room 4048.

Posted: November 28, 2006
 
 
Registration begins Tuesday, Nov. 28 for the Public Interest

Get in touch with what motivated you to come to Law School! Join your classmates in a woodsy retreat setting; hear inspiring speakers who have found a way to provide public service from several different sectors; commune with nature and each other; come early for hiking, canoeing and perhaps yoga; enjoy ice breakers and a DJ party; sleep in rustic bunk rooms nestled under a pine forest; eat great food; enjoy companionship, conversations and time for reflection with your peers - the perfect antidote for all that ails you! And all for just $30.00!!!

Registration begins on Tuesday, November 28 from 12:00 to 1:30 at a table outside the library, and each day for the rest of the week.

To register, you must submit a check for $30 made out to Duke Law School and fill out the registration form. Also, you may register in Suite 4050 at any time, beginning November 28. The first 50 to sign up are guaranteed a spot!

The Public Interest Retreat begins Friday afternoon, February 2, and ends mid-Saturday afternoon, February 3. It is at The Summit, a retreat center a little over an hour away at Brown Summit, NC, a few miles north of Greensboro. We will announce the keynote and alumni speakers later.

The keynote speaker and five alumni speakers will be announced soon.

For further information, contact the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono, or contact Marjorie Mulhall, marjorie.mulhall@law.duke.edu or Hannah Polikov, hannah.polikov@law.duke.edu, Student Co-Directors of the Public Interest Retreat. Other committee members: Tia Barnes, Lisa Bolotin, Amanda Brown, Kim Burrucker, Erin Gerrard Ching, Amy Curry, LaToya Edwards, Jana Gogolin, Emily Jura, Jennifer Ma, Susan Pourciau, Carol Spruill, Tommy Thekkekandam, Jeff Ward, and Matt Wolfe.

Posted: November 28, 2006
 
 
The Basics of Finding & Funding Summer Public Interest Employment

Those who wish to review the basics of summer public interest employment (summer fellowships and locating a placement) before the winter holiday break are invited to attend an informal session with Carol Spruill, Associate Dean for Public Interest & Employment, and Tia Barnes, Director of Public Interest and JD Advising.

Time: 12:10 PM - Location: Room 4040

Posted: November 28, 2006
 
 
Post-Graduate Fellowship Information Session

In an information session on applying for post-graduate fellowships, Carol Spruill and Tia Barnes will guide you in how to begin your search for those post-graduate fellowships available, and where to find deadlines and tips for applying. They will review some of the major fellowship programs, and also will talk with you about what support you would like to have throughout the application process.

For 1Ls, 2Ls & 3Ls:
* 1Ls can look ahead and learn how to use the first summer to work toward a good fellowship profile
* 2Ls can learn what they need to do in order to be ready for application deadlines starting early in the 3rd year
* 3Ls can find out how to find what is still available, or consider applying for fellowships after a clerkship year or other employment

Time: 12:10 PM - Location: Room 4172

Posted: November 28, 2006
 
 
Morgan Williams, Founder of the Nationwide Student Hurricane Network Speaks at Duke Law Nov. 17
Please join us Friday, beginning at 12:15 in Room 3037, for an exciting speaker and panel. Morgan Williams will be here to talk about surviving Katrina and what he did in the wake of the storm and the broken levees. He has created a nationwide network of law students who are working with victims of Katrina and Rita, both during law school breaks and throughout the year. He already has received several national awards for his efforts.

Whether you are interested in hurricane policy issues or are inspired by an example of a law student deciding to tackle a problem and doing it on a nationwide basis, you should enjoy hearing Morgan's story. (You do not need to be involved in hurricane-relief work to attend.)

Morgan will be joined by several other panelists:

* Anna Areceneaux is a 2006 Columbia Law graduate who has worked with Morgan on this effort. She is living in Durham for two years doing a post-graduate fellowship with a capital defense organization.

* Lauren Mandell is a Duke Law 3L who helped hurricane evacuees last spring break and founded the Duke Law Hurricane Relief Project for Duke Law students to do hurricane relief work throughout the year. He has organized this program and will be the moderator.

* Amy Curry is a Duke Law 3L who did spring break hurricane-relief work in New Orleans last year - gutting houses so that owners can rebuild. For two years, she has led the Duke Law Southern Justice Spring Break Mission Trip.

* Matt Wolfe is a Duke Law 2L who did juvenile work in New Orleans last spring break. Before law school, he taught in the NO school system with Teach for America.

* Destiny Duron Deas is a Duke Law 2L from Shreveport, Louisiana. She was a leader in the Duke Stuff the Truck effort last year that sent furniture, clothes and other supplies to hurricane victims.

* Rebecca Krefft is a Duke Law 2L who started law school at Loyola, evacuated to Duke Law after the hurricane, and has now transferred to Duke. Her family has rebuilt in New Orleans.

The event is Friday, November 17 at 12:15 in Room 3037, followed by an informal coffee at 1:30 in the Burdman Lounge. After the presentation, a video will be available at http://www.law.duke.edu/publicinterest/photoVideo.html.
Posted: November 13, 2006
 
 
Public Interest Book Club Meets Thursday Night Nov 16 for Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin
The Public Interest Book Club is having its first book discussion of the year on Thursday Nov. 16, 2006 at 7:30. It will be a discussion on Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin, a WWII-era novel that unravels the reasons behind a suicide in a series of unfolding stories-within-stories. The book wrestles with the idea of individuality under the pressures of conformity and outward deception, amongst other interesting things. Please come and join us, even if you haven't read the book. The event will be held at Scott Thompson's apt., at The Parc at University Tower, apt # 328. Please let Heather Johnson or Scott Thompson know if you would like a ride (we plan on meeting at the law school at 7:15), or if you have any questions. Appetizers and desserts will be provided, please feel free to bring a dish of your own if you would like.
Message from Public Interest Book Club Co-Directors Emily Jura, Heather Johnson and Scott Thompson
Posted: November 13, 2006
 
 
Alaska Defenders and Child Advocates Speak
Ian Miller, a 3L, and Editor-in-Chief of the Alaska Law Review, has arranged for three public interest attorneys from Alaska to do an informal program at 4:00 Wednesday in Burdman. Though part of the message of the speakers is to encourage interest in their summer internships, you don't have to agree to spend a summer in Alaska to attend! Please join us if you would like to hear from these long-time public interest attorneys who work in criminal defense, with abused and neglected children and with incapacitated adults.

Message from 3L Ian Miller:

Internship possibilities in criminal law and public advocacy:
On November 8, 2006 at 4 pm in the Burdman lounge there is an informal reception with Rachel Levitt ('97), deputy director of Alaska's Office of Public Advocacy. The OPA protects the rights of vulnerable Alaskans by providing legal representation to indigent criminal defendants, abused and neglected children and incapacitated adults.

She will be joined by Josh Fink, Director of the OPA and Quinlan Steiner, Director of Alaska's Public Defender Agency.

Both the public defender and the OPA offer paid summer internships, and they are hoping to encourage Duke students to apply.

If the "paid" part of the internship doesn't catch your eye, let me also give a personal plug for Alaska, both as a state and as a legal community. The state is stunningly beautiful, and Alaska in the summertime will be the experience of a lifetime. The legal community is also top-notch.

In short, I just think this is a wonderful opportunity. If somebody cannot make it but would like contact information, I would be happy to provide that as well.
Posted: November 8, 2006
 
 
Exonerated Former Death Row Inmate Speaks at Duke Law

Juan Melendez will speak about how he resided on Florida's death row for almost eighteen years for a crime he did not commit. He was exonerated and released on January 3, 2002. Mr. Melendez's story is an exceptional one of survival, faith and hope. Lunch will be served.

Wednesday, November 1, 2006, 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. (Room 3041)

For more information, contact 2L Emilia Beskind, Director of Duke Law's Innocence Project, emilia.beskind@law.duke.edu.

Posted: October 31, 2006
 
 
Summer Public Interest Employment Recognition Day - Oct. 31, 2006

On Tuesday, Oct. 31, two events will mark Summer Public Interest Employment Recognition Day.

A breakfast (sponsored by the Alumni & Development Office) will honor the 80 Duke Law students (identified so far) who worked last summer in the non-profit and government sectors.

At noon, many of those honored will return to the Blue Lounge for "Table Talk" where they will sit at tables arranged by topic and give peer career advise to other students, especially 1Ls, including how they got their summer jobs and how they financed them. They will be joined by many 3Ls who did public sector work their first summer, and also by some of the students who worked in the private sector and had meaningful law firm pro bono experiences they will share.

Topic tables this year are: Civil Rights and Legal Aid; Criminal Law; Environmental Issues; Federal & State Clerkships; State Attorney General and City & County Attorney's Offices; U.S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice; Federal Government Agencies; International; US House & Senate; Miscellaneous; and Pro Bono in Law Firms.

The honorees will be wearing blue ribbons today. Please join us in thanking them for devoting their law school summer to public service.

The List of Those Being Honored For Their Summer 2006 Public Service and Others Who Will Share Their Advice Tuesday Follows (*Asterisk Marks Those Whose Summer Public Sector Work was in 2005)

Civil Rights & Legal Aid


Alliance Defense Fund
Washington, D.C.
Libby Magee
'08


Duke Children's Education Law Clinic
Durham, NC
Sonja Ralston Elder
'08

*
Duke Children's Education Law Clinic
Durham, NC
Meredith Stewart
'07


Duke Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
Durham, NC
Brian Grube
'08

*
Duke AIDS Legal Assistance Project
Durham, NC
Alexis Finkelberg
'07


Legal Aid of NC - Durham
Durham, NC
Daniel Amato
'08


Legal Aid of NC - Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Douglass Calidas
'08


Legal Services of the Southern Piedmont
Charlotte, NC
Lily North
'08


NARAL Pro-Choice America
Washington, D.C.
Elizabeth McBrearty
'08


National Housing Law Project
Oakland, CA
Erin Gerrard Ching
'07

*
Bread for the City
New York, NY
Erin Gerrard Ching
'07


Our Place DC
Washington, D.C.
Emily Bieber
'08

*
Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
Kelsey Cameron
'07

*
MFY Legal Services, Inc.
New York, NY
Jonathan Connell
'08

*
ACLU of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
Kunthea Ker
'07

*
Carolina Legal Assistance
Raleigh, NC
Heather Dambly
'07

*
Children's Law Center of MA
Lynn, MA
Joseph Colella
'07


Washington Lawyers' Committee Disability Rights Project
Washington, D.C.
Leah Nicholls
'07

*
Arizona Center for Disability Law
Phoenix, AZ
Leah Nicholls
'07

*
NC Gay & Lesbian Attorneys Institute for Equal Rights
Raleigh, NC
Justin Wilson
'07

*
NCGALA
Durham, NC
Justin Wilson
'07

 

Criminal Law


California Appellate Project
San Francisco, CA
Alissa Cambier
'08


Dallas District Attorney
Dallas, TX
Brian Andrews
'08


DC Public Defender's Office
Washington, D.C.
Rebeka Plecnik
'07


Wake County District Attorney's Office
Raleigh, NC
Ryan Wagner
'07


District Attorney (5th District)
Wilmington, NC
Landon Zimmer
'07


Fair Trial Initiative
Durham, NC
Amanda Brown
'07


Federal Defender's Office
Boston, MA
Andy Han
'08


Suffolk County District Attorney's Office
Boston, MA
Meredith Levy
'08


Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office
Noblesville, IN
Brian Hurley
'08


Orange County Public Defender
Orange Co., CA
Eric Schattl
'08


NC Center for Death Penalty Litigation
Durham, NC
Emilia Beskind
'08

*
Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office
Santa Barbara, CA
Melissa Oliver
'07

*
District Attorney's Office
Philadelphia, PA
Shan Patel
'07

*
Alamance County District Attorney's Office
Graham, NC
Chris Raab
'07

*
Berkshire County District Attorney
Pittsfield, MA
Colin West
'07

 

Environmental Issues


Appalachian Voices
Asheville, NC
Bevin Tighe
'08


Environment NC
Raleigh, NC
David Wright
'08


Natural Resources Defense Council
New York, NY
Marjorie Mulhall
'08


Natural Resources Defense Council
Washington, D.C.
Alexandra Wyatt
'08


NC Coastal Federation
Beaufort, NC
Andrew Irgens
'08


Wild Law
Asheville, NC
Daniel Foster
'08


Wild Law
Montgomery, AL
Matthew Hurst
'08

 


Wild Law
Montgomery, AL
Kathryn Gehret
'08

*
NC Coastal Federation
Newport, NC
Kathryn Gehret
'08

*
Southern Environmental Law Center
Chapel Hill, NC
Brettny Hardy
'07

*
Clean Water North Carolina
Raleigh, NC
Adam Shestak
'07

 

Federal & State Clerkships




Christine Appah
'08


CA Court of Appeals
San Diego, CA
Kelly Thomason
'08


Court of Appeals of Washington, 2nd District
Tacoma, WA
Daniel Baker
'08


Honorable Bruce D. Black
Albuquerque, NM
Anthony Juzaitis
'08


Judge Alyson Duncan, 4th Circuit
Winston-Salem, NC
Courtney Brown
'07


Judge Andrew J. Peck
New York, NY
Michelle Leutzinger
'08


Judge Collier
Chattanooga, TN
Heather McArthur
'08


Judge Fred Morrison, CA 3rd District Court of Appeals
Sacramento, CA
Aryeh Hersher
'08


Judge James Lawrence King
Miami, FL
Monica Chaplin
'08


Judge Jose E. Martinez
Miami, FL
Monica Chaplin
'08


Judge Kim Wardlaw
Pasadena, CA
Jennifer Zimbroff
'08


Judge Peck (SDNY)
New York, NY
Ricky Berrin
'08


Judge Radar, US Ct. of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Washington, D.C.
Derek McCorquindale
'08


Judge Richard Leon, US District Court for the DC
Washington, D.C.
Margarita Clarens
'08


Judge Richard Story
Atlanta, GA
Sarah Hawkins
'08


Judge Robert Henry, US 10
Oklahoma City, OK
Michael Goodman
'08


Judge S. Maurice Hicks
Shreveport, LA
Destiny Duron Deas
'08


Judge Torres (Federal District Court for RI)
Providence, RI
Kishanthi Vinayagamoorthy
'08


Judge William Wetzel
New York, NY
John Duffy
'08


Justice Bolin, Alabama Supreme Court
Montgomery, AL
Virginia Duke
'08


NC Supreme Court (Justice Newby)
Raleigh, NC
Brent Woodcox
'08


United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Boston, MA
Nicholas Abramson
'08


Utah Supreme Court - Chief Justice
Salt Lake City, UT
Adam Laughton
'08

*
Judge Dixon, USDC Eastern District NC
Durham, NC
Heather Johnson
'07

*
Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, U.S. Dist. Ct.
Washington, D.C.
Emily Pitlick
'07

*
Judge Fern Saddler (US Superior ct.)
Washington, D.C.
Julius Smith
'07

*
Judge Fromholz, Los Angeles Superior Court
Los Angeles, CA
Sonam Makker
'07

*
Judge Martha Geer, NC COA
Raleigh, NC
Lauren Mandell
'07

*
Judge Michael Casale (Superior Ct. NJ)
Newark, NJ
Christopher Donadio
'07

*
Judge Peck, USMJ SDNY
New York, NY
Christopher Montville
'07

*
Judge Restani - Court of Intern. Trade
New York, NY
Chris Stiner
'07

*
Judge Richard Howell, SDNY
New York, NY
Michelle Hertz
'07

*
Judge Rosen
Detroit, MI
Aaron Singer
'07

*
Judge Tjoflat
Jacksonville, FL
Laura Durity
'07

*
Judge Torres
Providence, RI
Ryan Soots
'07

 

State Attorney General & County Attorney's Offices


Florida Attorney General's Office
Orlando, FL
Kathryn Johnson
'08


Miami-Dade County Attorney's Office
Miami, FL
Marisa Darden
'08


NC Attorney General's Office
Raleigh, NC
Landon Zimmer
'08


NC Attorney General's Office
Raleigh, NC
Jonathan Pahl
'08

*
New York Attorney General's Office
New York, NY
Julia Kohen
'07

*
Durham County Office of the County Attorney representing Dept of Social Services' Div. of Child Welfare Services
Durham, NC
Kelcey Patrick-Ferree
'07

*
Washington State Attorney General
Bellingham, WA
Paul Graves
'07

*
Attorney General
New York, NY
Adam Levine
'07



NC Department of Justice - Consumer Protection Division
Raleigh, NC
Benni Yuo-Fo Chang
'08

*
NC Department of Justice - Consumer Protection Div.
Raleigh, NC
Edna Garrett
'07

*
NC Department of Justice - Executive Staff
Raleigh, NC
Rohith Parasuraman
'08

 

U. S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice


U.S. Attorney E.D.N.C.
Raleigh, NC
Christian Dysart
'07


U.S. Attorney's Office
Philadelphia, PA
Joshua Faber
'08

 

*
U.S. Attorney's Office
Philadelphia, PA
Jerome Maiatico
'07


U.S. Attorney's Office
Salt Lake City, UT
Daniel Fuller
'08


U.S. Attorney's Office
Kansas City, MO
Blake Mason
'08


U.S. Attorney's Office - Southern District of CA
San Diego, CA
Anne Beaumont
'08


U.S. Attorney's Office
Lafayette, LA
Kyle Pousson
'08


U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Farace
'08


U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, D.C.
Matthew Perault
'08


U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Programs Division
Washington, D.C.
Jonas Anderson
'08

*
U.S. Department of Justice, Vaccine Litigation Section
Washington, D.C.
Amy Curry
'07

*
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights
Washington, D.C.
Uchenna Evans
'07

*
U.S. Attorney's Office - Southern District of NY
New York, NY
Jessica Foschi
'07

*
U.S. Attorney's Office - Eastern District of VA
Roanoke, VA
Hilary Houston
'07

*
U.S. Attorney's Office
Honolulu, HI
Ryan Ito
'07

*
U.S. Attorney
Denver, CO
Segev Phillips
'07

*
U.S. Attorney
Denver, CO
Sean Nobmann
'07

*
U.S. Attorney's Office
Birmingham, AL
Amy Edwards
'07

*
U.S. Attorney's Office
Phoenix, AZ
William Voit
'07

*
U.S. Attorney's Office
Washington, D.C.
Leni Perkins
'07

*
U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Justice
US Virgin Islands
Sean Lonnquist
'07

 

Federal Government Agencies


Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C
Adam Tarosky
'07


U.S. Air Force JAG
Washington, D.C
Reva Alavian
'08


U.S. Marine Corp Officer Candidate School
Quantico, VA
Ryan Crosswell
'07


Securities and Exchange Commission
Denver, CO
Michael Frandina
'08


United States Securities and Exchange Commission
New York, NY
Sean Memon
'08


Federal Reserve Bank of New York
New York, NY
Maksim Rakhlin
'08


Federal Trade Commission (Atlanta Regional Office)
Atlanta, GA
John Niles
'08

*
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New York, NY
Lindsay McGuire
'07

*
EEOC
Washington, D.C.
Anne Hazlett
'07

*
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C.
Erin Shively
'07

*
U.S. Department of Education
Washington, D.C.
Julius Smith
'07

 

International


Fulbright Economics Teaching Program (Vietnam)
Vietnam
Muriel Moody
'08


International Justice Mission
South Asia
Stephen Fairchild
'08


United Nations - Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya
Kristina Johnson
'08

 

U.S. House and Senate


Congressman Ron Lewis
Washington, D.C.
Bryce Yoder
'08


Senator Hillary Clinton
New York, NY
John Saragas
'08


Senator Cornyn
Washington, D.C.
Samuel Burk
'08

*
Senator Biden
Washington, D.C.
Joe Davis
'07

 

Miscellaneous


Principal Executive's Program
Chapel Hill, NC
Christopher Lott
'08


UNC School of Government
Chapel Hill, NC
Jamie Markham
'07


National Endowment for the Arts
Washington, D.C.
Patrick MacDonald
'08

*
AFL-CIO
Washington, D.C.
Mike Oswalt
'07

 

Pro Bono in Law Firms


Bredhoff and Kasier, PLLC
Washington, D.C.
Michael Oswalt
'08


Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
New York, N.Y.
Dina Ackerman
'07


Hogan & Hartson, LLP
Washington, D.C.
Eric Lashner
'08


Latham & Watkins, LLP
Los Angeles, CA
April Hathcock
'07


Latham & Watkins, LLP
Washington, D.C.
Heather Johnson
'07

Posted: October 30, 2006
 
 
Oct. 18 panel discussion focuses on domestic violence and the legal system  (Open in a new window)
Duke law students were briefed on the legal, personal, and cultural issues faced by victims of domestic violence during an October 18 discussion at the Law School. Sebastian Kielmanovich ’04, a prosecutor with Wilmington’s district attorney’s office, Suzanne Chester, managing partner of the domestic violence unit of Legal Aid of North Carolina, and Teandra Miller, director of the agency’s Battered Immigrants Project took part in a panel sponsored by the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocacy Project.
Posted: October 16, 2006
 
 
Public Interest Retreat Planning Committee
We are looking for enthusiastic 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls to serve on this year's Public Interest Retreat Planning Committee. The Duke Public Interest Retreat (held February 2-3) is a great chance for public interest-minded students to escape to the woods for a weekend and interact informally with their peers, Duke alumni, and other leaders who are accomplishing fantastic things in the public interest realm.

As a committee member, you will help select speakers and a theme for the retreat, as well as plan activities and other logistics. If you are interested in getting involved with this fun and exciting group, please send a short (4-6 sentence) statement of interest to marjorie.mulhall@law.duke.edu by 5 pm, October 5.

Thanks!
Marjorie Mulhall & Hannah Polikov
Retreat Student Directors
Posted: October 16, 2006
 
 
Dean Bartlett Honored as Dean of the Year by Equal Justice Works

Dean Katharine T. Bartlett will receive Equal Justice Works’ Dean John R. Kramer Award for 2006 at the organization’s awards dinner in Washington, D.C., on October 19. The award honors Bartlett’s dedication to nurturing an outstanding spirit of public service at Duke Law School. George Soros, the Open Society Institute, and Benjamin W. Heineman Jr., former general counsel of General Electric Company, are among others being honored by Equal Justice Works.

Associate Dean for Public Interest and Pro Bono Carol Spruill nominated Bartlett for the Kramer award, praising, among many other initiatives, Bartlett’s enhancement and support of Duke’s clinical programs through the addition of six new clinics during her tenure as dean, and her vigorous promotion of public interest and pro bono work as a central aspect of professional development for law students.

“I am delighted that Equal Justice Works has decided to honor Kate Bartlett,” said Spruill. “While Kate has been vocal in her support of the public service contributions of others, she has been quiet about her own extensive personal service and financial support.” A former legal services attorney, Bartlett has continued to be active in public service. For example, while dean she also served on the Board of Directors of Durham County Department of Social Services (1999-2005), which she chaired in 2004-05. “Her willingness to take on these two demanding leadership positions at the same time is testimony to her belief that one is never too busy to include time for public service,” Spruill said.

Spruill also lauded Bartlett’s support of Duke Law School’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) – one of the most generous in the country – for law students interested in pursuing public interest careers, and her commitment, along with her husband, Charles S. Murphy Professor of Law and Public Policy Studies Christopher Schroeder, of $100,000 of personal funds to begin an endowment for support of LRAP.

“The entire student body at Duke Law was deeply touched by this tremendous demonstration of personal and institutional dedication,” Duke Bar Association President Brettny Hardy ’07 wrote to the awards committee, adding that Duke law students “stand in awe of Dean Bartlett’s impressive dedication to the good of society.” Hardy also noted Bartlett’s devotion to promoting and improving pro bono opportunities for law students, and her encouragement of them to make community service an active part of their lives.

Equal Justice Works was founded in 1986 by law students dedicated to working for equal justice on behalf of underserved communities and causes. Committed to organizing, training, and supporting law students in areas relating to public service, Equal Justice Works helps support law students in summer public interest positions, places new lawyers in two-year postgraduate fellowships at nonprofit public interest organizations addressing urgent community needs, and helps law schools create and improve LRAPs to facilitate graduates’ entry into public service positions. For more information, visit http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/.

Posted: October 16, 2006
 
 
Public Interest Book Club Selects Atwater's The Blind Assassin

The PI Book Club will be meeting at the end of October (time to be decided) to talk about our first book: Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin.

Please join us in reading the book over the next month. But even if you don't get a chance to read it, feel free to join us at our discussion anyway: we promise it will be good conversation at fun places.

Message from Public Interest Book/Film Club Co-Directors: Heather Johnson, Emily Jura & Scott Thompson

Posted: October 16, 2006
 
 
Associate Dean Carol Spruill wins Duke’s Diversity Award

Associate Dean for Public Interest and Pro Bono and Senior Lecturing Fellow Carol Spruill has won Duke University’s 2006 Blue Ribbon Diversity Award, which recognizes a demonstrated commitment to the spirit of diversity, leadership through positive interaction between persons of different cultural backgrounds, and a respect and value for differing values and points of view within the University.

Dean Katharine Bartlett nominated Spruill for the award, telling the nominating committee that Spruill does not just “preach diversity,” but lives it in every aspect of her personal and professional life. “She integrates diversity of background and points of view in the speakers she brings to campus, the multitude of activities she organizes, and the pro bono opportunities she cultivates for students. She has 100 percent credibility among students and faculty in under-represented groups, and serves as the quiet conscience for majority students on diversity issues. It is hard to imagine a more appropriate recipient of a diversity award.”

A former Legal Services attorney, Spruill established Duke’s Pro Bono Program in 1991. Since then, Bartlett noted, she “opened the eyes of students never before exposed to the effects of grinding poverty,” even tailoring a “Poverty IQ Test” for the students enrolled in her Poverty Law course. Bartlett also lauded Spruill’s facility in helping students’ find placements for public service that are specifically matched to their interests and abilities, and her inspiration to faculty and administration colleagues to participate in pro bono and public interest efforts.

“In short, Carol works tirelessly to imprint the Duke Law School experience with a common commitment to diversity – diverse peoples, diverse community organizations, diverse ideas and causes, and diverse political leanings.”

Bartlett’s accolades were backed by a package of tributes from faculty, administrators, students, alumni, and members of the community that a delighted Spruill described as “better than a retirement party and certainly better than an obituary.”

“In my time at Duke Law, she has been supportive and encouraging of my search for personal fulfillment and professional development through pro bono work,” wrote Sonja Ralston Elder J.D./M.P.P. '09. “Early into my law school career, she made time to meet individually with me, as she does every year for any interested student, and discuss my skills and goals and help find the right service project for me. This type of individual attention fosters a more honest form of diversity than is frequently measured: Beyond the identifying characteristics of race, gender, status, and background, Dean Spruill seeks to unlock the potential of every individual, and it is that potential that holds more power than any demographic.”

“When I was a law student, Carol Spruill was a constant support to me in pursuing a job in the poverty law field … and also helped those who were going to go on to private practice,” wrote John Coburn '95, an attorney with Health & Disability Advocates in Chicago. “And it is through this help that I think Carol truly makes an enormous mark. Most Duke Law graduates will go on to private practice in large firms and other prestigious positions. With these positions, these graduates can make a huge difference in their broader community. I believe the pro bono programs and other programs created and led by Carol Spruill give these current and future leaders an important experience in working with lower income individuals that they do not forget and take with them. And with these experiences, they help build policies, infrastructure, and community that include everybody.”

Duke President Richard Brodhead will present Spruill with her award at a luncheon on November 1.

Posted: October 16, 2006
 
 
DC Public Interest Alumni/Student Reception Friday, Oct. 20

For those of you who will be in the DC this Friday, you might be interested in attending the DC Public Interest Alumni/Student Reception on Friday night from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Dupont Circle area. The announcement that was sent to DC alumni is below. This was sent previously to the Duke Law students attending the Equal Justice Works Career Fair and Conference.

If you would like to join us, click on the RSVP link (in red below).

*******************************
Please be our guest at a Duke Law School Alumni/Student Reception in DC on Friday, October 20, 2006, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at The Childe Harold, which is located at 1610 20th Street NW, Washington, D.C.in Dupont Circle.
(202-483-6700)

We are having this event in conjunction with the Equal Justice Works Public Interest Career Fair and Conference. In addition to alumni, we are inviting students from Duke Law School who are interviewing and attending the career
fair/conference. The reception will be an informal occasion for meeting and greeting.

This invitation is going to our Duke Law School alumni and friends who either work in government or the non-profit sector, or who are in private firms but have a long-standing commitment to the public interest programs at Duke Law School. We hope that you will enjoy mingling with the current students to give them encouragement, and to learn from them what life is like at Duke these days. If you know other Duke Law alumni who would enjoy meeting with students attending the conference, please pass this invitation
along to them.

If you can attend, please RSVP using the link below.
http://survey.oit.duke.edu/ViewsFlash/servlet/viewsflash?cmd=page&pollid=LAW
RSVP!DCOCT202006

In addition to informing you of the Friday night reception, we also would like to share the good news that Dean Katharine Bartlett will be receiving the Equal Justice Works Kramer Award for Outstanding Law Dean. Though she has a conflict and cannot attend the Friday reception, she will be in DC on Thursday night to receive her award at the Equal Justice Works Awards Dinner.

To read more about the Dean and this award, see http://www.law.duke.edu/features/2006/equaljusticeworksaward.html.
If you want to order tickets to attend the Thursday night Equal Justice Works Awards Dinner, go to http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/dinner06/index.htm. (If you decide to go to the banquet, please let us know by informing Susan McLean at mclean@law.duke.edu) (NOTE: THE BANQUET IS NOW SOLD OUT)

We look forward to seeing you in DC!

Sincerely,
Carol Spruill, Associate Dean, Public Interest and Pro Bono
Bruce Elvin, Associate Dean, Career and Professional Development
Tia Barnes, Director of Public Interest and JD Advising
Kim Burrucker, Director of Public Interest and Pro Bono
Sarah West, Associate Dean, Alumni and Development

Posted: October 16, 2006
 
 
Public Interest Cookout
Please join us at a Public Interest Cookout on Tuesday, October 3, starting at 5:30 pm, at the Belmont. This is our second year of social events for those members of the student body who enjoy public interest. No program and no fund-raising -- just food, fun and stimulating conversation.

Public Interest Board Member and Social Director, Joel Cohen has arranged for us to use space at his apartment complex, the Belmont, for the cookout. Food, soda and beer will be provided free of charge by the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono and student board members will bring dishes.

Summer is over and fall is here,
So let's get together for food and good cheer.
There's not an agenda or work to be done.
This time around, it's all for the fun!
Posted: October 3, 2006
 
 
Faculty Lives in Public Service Features Prof. Michael Tigar and Defense of the High Profile Defendant

Please join us Thursday, Sept. 27, 2006 for the first Faculty Lives in Public Service presentation of the year. Visiting Professor Michael Tigar is well know among lawyers for his representation of many famous and controversial clients.

A message from Laura Durity and Katherine Scott, Faculty Lives Co-Directors, follows:
To All Students:

Come out Thursday (October 28) to hear Professor Michael Tigar discuss his representation of controversial, high-profile criminal defendants and how law students can begin immediately to promote the ideals of the justice system. The lecture is in room 3043 from 12:10-1:20, and is the first in this year's Faculty Lives in Public Service series. Pizza will be provided (bring your own drink).

Professor Tigar is a visiting professor from the Washington College of Law of American University with a distinguished record in criminal defense and human rights litigation. He has argued 7 cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, about 100 federal appeals, and many other cases in state and federal courts. Past clients, many of whom Mr. Tigar represented as court-appointed counsel or pro bono, have included:

* Lynne Stewart (NY defense attorney representing "the Blind Shiek" in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing case and herself convicted of aiding a terrorist organization)

* Terry Nichols (Oklahoma Federal Building bombing defendant)


* Angela Davis (Black Panther Party activist once placed on FBI's Most Wanted list, now a professor)

* John Demjanjuk (convicted of Nazi war crimes in the US, deported, exonerated in Israel, returned to the US, sentence overturned, charged for a different set of Nazi war crimes, convicted, and deported to Ukraine)


* the Chicago Seven (acquitted of conspiring to incite rioting at the 1968 Democratic National Convention)

* H. Rap Brown (Black Panther Party activist - riot and arson charges - coined the phrase "Burn Baby Burn!")


* John Connally (former Texas governor acquitted of accepting a $10,000 bribe to regulate dairy prices)


* Kay Bailey Hutchison (current U.S. Senator, acquitted of records tampering as the Texas State Treasurer)

If you have ever wondered how you would handle a high-profile case or defend an unpopular client, then don't miss this opportunity!

Katherine Scott and Laura Durity
Co-Directors of Faculty Lives in Public Service
Sponsored by the Office and Board of Public Interest & Pro Bono

Posted: September 27, 2006
 
 
What's Being Done in NC for Hurricane Katrina Survivors?

On Sept. 20 at (in Room 4048), the Hurricane Relief Project will be sponsoring a program on Hurricane Katrina. This is the new pro bono group that many of you heard Lauren Mandell talk about at the Public Interest and Pro Bono Kick-Off/Sign-Up. The purpose of today's meeting is both to have a program open to all interested in hearing about what is being done in NC in regard to follow-up on hurricane-related legal problems (with no obligation to participate in the group), and to tell those in the group about available projects. Please join us if you can.

Lauren's description of today's program follows:
Angeleigh Dorsey, senior managing attorney at NC Legal Aid and director of state-wide Katrina relief, will share her personal insights on Katrina. Ms. Dorsey has a host of legal projects that she is interested in assigning to Duke students now. We will also discuss spring break trips to New Orleans and the Gulf region and other upcoming projects. This is the official kick-off of the Duke Hurricane Relief Project. Pizza will be served.

Posted: September 20, 2006
 
 
Public Interest Book/Film Club Revival - Sept. 14 - The Constant Garderner

Message from student leader Emily Jura:
For anyone interested in books, films, or just good discussions, please join us for the revival of the public interest book club!

We expect to read a book each semester, on a topic related to human rights or current societal issues or ethics in general. We also hope to have film showings and bring speakers to campus periodically.

Our first meeting is Thursday, Sept. 14th, at 7:00 in room 4042. We will show The Constant Gardener and provide delicious vegetarian chili, snacks and beer. We will also choose which book to read this semester. Please join us, whether you plan on reading with us or not. All are welcome!

Posted: September 13, 2006
 
 
Equal Justice Works Career Fair & Conference Info Session

From Carol Spruill, Associate Dean for Public Interest & Pro Bono

Dear 1Ls,
I would like to join Tia Barnes and 3L Erin Gerrard Ching in inviting you to join us tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 14, at lunch for this session that is designed to help you decide whether you should go to the Equal Justice Works Career Fair & Conference in the DC area, October 19-20. I'll give you a preview of what we will say tomorrow:

* even though 1Ls can't make pre-arranged interviews with employers, you can give them your resume, talk with them, get information from them, and write them later reminding them of your meeting.

* so far, 123 public interest employers have signed up to be there. You won't have another chance to see so many in one location.

* there's an exciting conference going on at the same time. Some of the programming is about the public interest employment process and some of it is about hot topics.

* we will be having a reception on Friday evening (probably at 5:00) for the students attending and for DC-based alumni who work in the non-profit or government sector, or who are in firms but were active in public interest while here. This is a great networking opportunity.

We hope to see many of you to share more information about the event tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 14, 12:15, room 4045.

Carol Spruill

Message to 2Ls and 3Ls: Come to the lunch meeting if:
* You haven't been to the Equal Justice Works Career Fair before and you are looking for a public interest job for next summer and after law school, or
* You've been before and can give guidance to 1Ls on whether to go and how to use the opportunity most advantageously.
CS

From Tia Barnes, Director of Public Interest & JD Advising:

Dear 1Ls,

The Equal Justice Works Career Fair & Conference will be held on the campus of the University of Maryland, October 19-20. This is the largest annual public interest law career fair in the United States, featuring 100+ public interest employers hiring interns for Summer 2007 and/or 3Ls for post-graduation employment.

1Ls are also invited to attend, to visit the various tables during designated periods, to talk with the employers and even to leave resumes. Last year, half of the students who attended from Duke were 1Ls. However, 1Ls do not have a formal interview and are not allow to apply in advance of the conference for an interview. You may officially apply later (after Dec. 1) to the employers you meet at the job fair.

To view the list of employers participating in the career fair, click here: http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/employers/browse.aspx. You may also register for the career fair here: http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/careerfair/students.php.

We will hold an informational session primarily for 1Ls on Thursday, September 14 at 12:15 in Room 4045. Second- and third-year students are also invited to attend, or contact 3L Erin Gerrard (Erin.Gerrard@law.duke.edu) for more information.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, and we hope that you will take advantage of this great opportunity for summer internships!

Posted: September 13, 2006
 
 
2006 Pro Bono Placement Opportunities Now on the Web
You can now read about the pro bono placements being offered this year by going on the web to http://www.law.duke.edu/publicinterest/probono.html#infoStudents. Once there, look under Description of Placements and click on Pro Bono Placement Master List. To get past the login and password, use the generic Duke Law login and password given to you previously. We encourage you to skim through the many choices and read the ones of interest before you make your pro bono decision at the Public Interest & Pro Bono Kick-Off/Sign-Up on Thursday (4:15 p.m., Blue Lounge)
Posted: August 30, 2006
 
 
Public Interest & Pro Bono Kick-Off/Sign-Up

On Thursday, August 31, 2006, at 4:15 p.m, the Office and Board of Pubic Interest and Pro Bono will officially begin the year's activities with the Public Interest Kick-Off and Sign-up Event in the Blue Lounge. The program will consist of brief introductory remarks by 2L Matt Wolfe (the event's director), Steven Schindler and Julia Kohen (the PILF co-directors), and Dean Carol Spruill. Then we will then move to 1-minute spiels by representatives of pro bono opportunities and public interest activities, sharing with you the projects' mission and needs. Afterwards, you will be able to circulate throughout the room, talking with representatives and signing up for individual projects and the Pro Bono Pledge. Pizza, beer, and soda will be served.

Feel free to come just to listen (or sign the Pro Bono Pledge). You do not have to take a placement at this time. If you are ready to accept a group placement, you can sign up and do the paperwork on site. Those choosing an individual placement can sign up for an appointment with Dean Spruill.

If you are unable to attend but would like to get connected to information on public interest and pro bono, please contact the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono (suite 4050).

We welcome 1LS, 2Ls, 3Ls, LL.M.s, Exchange Students, SJDs, Faculty and Staff. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday and working with you this year!

From Matt, Carol, Kim, Keischa and all the members of the Public Interest & Pro Bono Board


Stations at the Public Interest Kick-Off include:

Public Interest Retreat
Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Project (DVSAAP)
Equal Justice Works Conference and Job Fair Promotion
Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
Guardian ad Litem (GAL)
Innocence Project
Death Penalty Project
Public Interest Book Club
Pro Bono in Law Firms
Pro Bono Pledge
Public Interest & Pro Bono Office
Public Interest Employment and Fall Peer Counseling Event
Refugee Asylum Support Project (RASP)
Southern Justice Spring Break Mission Trip
Hurricane Relief Project
Street Law
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
DBA Community Service
Legal Assistance for Non-English Speakers (LANES)
Consumer Rights Project

Posted: August 30, 2006
 
 
Public Interest & Pro Bono Kick-Off/Sign-Up

On Thursday, August 31, 2006, at 4:15 p.m, the Office and Board of Pubic Interest and Pro Bono will officially begin the year's activities with the Public Interest Kick-Off and Sign-up Event in the Blue Lounge. The program will consist of brief introductory remarks by 2L Matt Wolfe (the event's director), Steven Schindler and Julia Kohen (the PILF co-directors), and Dean Carol Spruill. Then we will then move to 1-minute spiels by representatives of pro bono opportunities and public interest activities, sharing with you the projects' mission and needs. Afterwards, you will be able to circulate throughout the room, talking with representatives and signing up for individual projects and the Pro Bono Pledge. Pizza, beer, and soda will be served.

Feel free to come just to listen (or sign the Pro Bono Pledge). You do not have to take a placement at this time. If you are ready to accept a group placement, you can sign up and do the paperwork on site. Those choosing an individual placement can sign up for an appointment with Dean Spruill.

If you are unable to attend but would like to get connected to information on public interest and pro bono, please contact the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono (suite 4050).

We welcome 1LS, 2Ls, 3Ls, LL.M.s, Exchange Students, SJDs, Faculty and Staff. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday and working with you this year!

From Matt, Carol, Kim, Keischa and all the members of the Public Interest & Pro Bono Board


Stations at the Public Interest Kick-Off include:

Public Interest Retreat
Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Project (DVSAAP)
Equal Justice Works Conference and Job Fair Promotion
Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
Guardian ad Litem (GAL)
Innocence Project
Death Penalty Project
Public Interest Book Club
Pro Bono in Law Firms
Pro Bono Pledge
Public Interest & Pro Bono Office
Public Interest Employment and Fall Peer Counseling Event
Refugee Asylum Support Project (RASP)
Southern Justice Spring Break Mission Trip
Hurricane Relief Project
Street Law
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
DBA Community Service
Legal Assistance for Non-English Speakers (LANES)
Consumer Rights Project

Posted: August 30, 2006
 
 
The North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission meets at Duke Law School
The North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission meets at Duke Law School on Friday, August 11, 2006 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Room 4042. The Commission was created to address the lack of access to the civil justice system in North Carolina for people of low-income or moderate means. Chief Justice Sarah Parker appointed members in January 2006, including judges, representatives of the Governor and other elected officials, representatives of the business and philanthropic communities, a representative of law schools, and members of legal advocacy organizations. Carol Spruill, associate dean for Public Interest & Pro Bono and senior lecturing fellow, is the law school representative on the Commission.
Posted: August 10, 2006
 
 
Keischa Williams Joins Public Interest and Pro Bono Office
Keischa Williams has been named the new Coordinator of Public Interest & Pro Bono at Duke Law School. She joins Kim Burrucker, Director of Public Interest & Pro Bono, and Associate Dean Carol Spruill. Keischa formerly worked in the Student Affairs Office.
Posted: August 10, 2006