Category Archives: Events

In the spirit of Gary Bellow

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By Jeanne Segil and Abbey Marr, Co-chairs of the Gary Bellow Public Service award

Photo credit: Jon Chase

On Friday April 12th, the HLS community gathered to honor the legacy of Professor Gary Bellow, founder and former faculty director of Harvard Law School’s Clinical Programs, while recognizing the work of an incredible HLS alumna, Laurel Firestone (HLS ’04) and an inspiring HLS student, Stephanie Davidson (HLS ’13). The Gary Bellow Public Service Award was created in 2001 to recognize excellence in public interest work at HLS and to honor Professor Bellow.  The Award is entirely student-run and given annually by the student body of HLS to a student and alumnus/a whose commitment to social justice makes us proud to be a part of the HLS community.

Dean Minow opened the ceremony, speaking eloquently about Professor Bellow and his commitment to community lawyering and public service. She also introduced Professor Jeanne Charn, the Director of the Bellow-Sacks Access to Civil Legal Services Project and the wife of the late Professor Bellow, who shared the personal stories of faculty and students who fondly remembered Professor Bellow and his charges to his clinical students. Bellow’s presence was felt in the room as the two honorees received recognition for their commitment to legal services and community lawyering.

Laurel Firestone and community organizer Susana de Anda founded the Community Water Center, an environmental justice organization, based in San Joaquin Valley to ensure that access to water is recognized as a human right. Firestone’s dedicated work has impacted change at the community, regional, and state level. Her talk inspired students to “find their purpose,” to look in their own backyards and see people who often remain invisible. She suggested that community organizing is a vital component of creating change and empowering people.

Stephanie Davidson, the current president of the WLA and a member of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, spoke about her work within these organizations as she dedicated herself to anti-violence activism. Stephanie spoke passionately about her desire to change the paradigm of violence against women work, to move from being reactive to instead think about how to prevent such violence from occurring in the first instance. She plans to dedicate her career to such efforts and we were so excited to hear about the inspiring and important work she will continue to pursue.

The room erupted into standing ovation at the end of these talks as the HLS community demonstrated its appreciation for the work of individuals such as Laurel and Stephanie, committed and conscientious, determined to create change in a world that so needs it.

Jeanne Charn, the Director of the Bellow-Sacks Access to Civil Legal Services Project and the wife of the late Professor Bellow.
Photo credit: Jon Chase

Photo credit: Jon Chase

Photo credit: Jon Chase

Event 4/17: IHRC launches MSI Integrity: A New Business and Human Rights NGO

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Wednesday April 17
4:30 – 6:30 PM
Harkness South

Join the International Human Rights Clinic in celebrating the launch of the Institute for Multi-stakeholder Initiative Integrity (MSI Integrity), a non-profit organization that the Clinic has helped get off the ground. MSI Integrity examines the impact and value of voluntary business-related human rights initiatives, such as Fairtrade labeling and the Kimberley Process certification for conflict diamonds. Through research, critical assessment, and shared learning, MSI Integrity aims to ensure that these initiatives protect and promote human rights. Drinks will be served!

Events: April 1 – 14

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What: Clinical Registration Opens for 2013-14 Academic Year
When: Wed, April 3, 9am
Note: Clinical registration is for the entire 2013-14 year.

What: Veterans Legal Clinic Panel
When: Wed, April 3, 12-1pm
Where: WCC 2019 Milstein West A
 Details: With featured speaker Coleman Nee (Secretary of MA Department of Veterans’ Services), Zach Stolz (Chisholm, Chisholm & Kilpatrick) and Dan Nagin (Clinical Professor and Director of HLS’s Veterans Legal Clinic). Join panelists and student members of the Veterans Legal Clinic to learn about the urgent needs of local veterans and the exciting work students are undertaking on their behalf. Lunch provided. (Flyer below)

What: Clinical Registration Closes for 2013-14 Academic Year
When: Fri, April 5, 12:59pm
Note: Clinical registration is for the entire 2013-14 year.

What: Toward a Civil Gideon: The Future of Legal Services
When: Sat, April 6, 10:15-3:30pm
Where: Wasserstein Hall 1015
 Details: This symposium will feature scholar-practitioners from around the country discussing the access to justice crisis and how to solve it. Panelists include: Scott Cummings (UCLA); Russell Engler (New England School of Law); Jim Greiner (HLS); David Grossman (HLS); Gene Nichol (Center on Poverty); Deborah Rhode (Stanford); Rebecca Sandefur (U of I); and Richard Zorza (UCLA). If you can’t make it the whole day, feel free to stop by when you are available!

What: The People’s Law School: Community Education Workshops & Open House
When: Sat, April 13, 1-5pm
Where: 122 Boylston Street Jamaica Plain, MA. 02130
 Details: Presented by the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School This is a Free Event, Registration Not Required. For More Information Call 617-522-3003 (Flyer below) Continue reading →

Human Rights panel discusses cost of Iraq invasion, 10 years after: Video

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The Human Rights Program at HLS, brought together representatives from Iraq Veterans Against the War, the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq, and the Center for Constitutional Rights to discuss the launch of the Right to Heal Initiative, a partnership they formed to “fight for redress.” Read more or watch below.

Human Rights panel

Sports Law is “cool”

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At the suggestion of Dean Minow, Sports Law clinic students and Professor Carfagna gathered for lunch on March 27.  Each student had the opportunity to describe their placement, which included work with the Celtics, New England Patriots, Red Sox, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Sports Legacy Institute to name a few.   Almost every student  said they had a very “cool” time just being there, in the ball park, working on a wide range of issues, including negotiating contracts, representing players and/or leagues and working on technical devices to install in helmets to measure impact hits, designed for both school age athletes as well as professional athletes.

Students interested in learning more about the Sports Law Clinic should contact Peter Carfagna or Liz Solar in the office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs directly.

Event 3/29: Learn about the LSC and CHLPI Clinics

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Come learn more about the Legal Services Center (LSC) and Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation (CHLPI) Clinics

Friday March 29
5 to 7:00pm at the WCC Pub
Come eat food, meet staff and students, and learn about our amazing clinical programs! Appetizers provided.

Administrative/Disability Law Clinic
Domestic Violence Clinic
Estate Planning Clinic
Family Law Clinic
Health Law and Policy Clinic
Food Law and Policy Clinic
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Law Clinic
Post Foreclosure Eviction Defense Housing Clinic
Predatory Lending/Consumer Protection Clinic
Veterans Legal Clinic

Today: Clinical 101 and Clinical Fair

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Clinical 101 and Clinical Fair

Wednesday March 27:

5:30-6:00 PM – Clinical 101
WCC 2012
Learn about clinical registration and how best to navigate the clinical fair, and get an introduction to the HLS clinical program.

6:00 – 8:00 PM – Clinical Fair
Milstein East A, B, & C
Talk with clinical faculty and students. Refreshments provided.

Event 3/26: A Decade of War

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For Us, The Wars Aren’t Over: The Right to Heal Initiative
Tuesday, March 26
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Harvard Law School, Wasserstein Hall, Room 2012

Ten years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the Harvard Law School Human Rights Program joins organizations from across the Harvard and Boston communities to mark the anniversary with speakers from two groups still living the consequences of the last decade of U.S.-led wars: Iraqis and U.S. veterans and service members.  Members of the Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) and Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) will speak about the costs of war they share.  Together with attorneys from the Center for Constitutional Rights and Harvard Law School, they will discuss the Right to Heal Initiative, the partnership they have formed to fight for redress.

Speakers:
Yanar Mohammed, President, Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq
Ms. Mohammed is the founder of OWFI, a nongovernmental organization that promotes women’s rights and interests in Iraq.  She will speak about OWFI’s work in an Iraqi town near a U.S. military base that has seen dramatic increases in the incidence of birth defects, cancers, and other severe health ailments.

Matt Howard, Member, Iraq Veterans Against the War
Mr. Howard served two tours in Iraq with the Marine Corps.  He will discuss the costs of war for U.S. service members and veterans, particularly the obstacles that prevent too many from receiving proper medical and mental health care.  IVAW and its subcommittee, Afghan Veterans Against the War, have advocated for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, and for reparations to Iraqis for the costs of war.

Pamela Spees, Senior Staff Attorney, Center for Constitutional Rights
Ms. Spees will discuss CCR’s role as a support player in the Right to Heal’s collaborative project to ensure the U.S. takes concrete steps for health care, accountability, and reparations.

Moderator:
Deborah Alejandra Popowski, Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School

Dinner will be served.

Co-Sponsored By: HLS Advocates for Human Rights, Harvard National Security and Law Association, Islamic Society of Boston, National Lawyers Guild (Mass. Chapter), Veterans for Peace (Ch. 9, Smedley D. Butler Brigade), BC Law Holocaust/Human Rights Project, HKS Human Rights Professional Interest Council, HLS American Constitution Society, HLS Democrats, HLS Human Rights Journal, Harvard International Law Journal, HLS Muslim Law Students Association, Harvard Women’s Law Association, HSPH Muslim Student Group, MIT Amnesty International, MIT Center for International Studies, MIT Muslim Student Association, Northeastern Univ. Arab Student Association, Human Rights Caucus at Northeastern Univ. School of Law, Tufts Univ. New Initiative for Middle East Peace, Tufts Univ. Fletcher School Human Rights Project

Events: March 18th – April 5th

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We hope you will join us for some or all of these events over the next few weeks:

** Great for 1Ls (2Ls also welcome) **
What:Clinical 101: Information Session
When: Wed, March 27, 5:30-6pm
Where: WCC 2012
 Details: Learn about 2013-14 clinical registration (April 3-5) and how to best navigate the clinical fair, and get an introduction to the HLS clinical program.

** Great for 1Ls (2Ls also welcome) **
What: Clinical Fair
When: Wed, March 27, 6-8pm
Where: WCC Milstein East B&C
Details: Please join us for the annual Clinical Fair. Students curious about clinics will have the opportunity to speak directly with current clinical students, attorneys and faculty to learn more about the work experience, potential projects, types of client interaction, time commitment and opportunities that are unique to each clinic.

What: Winter Term – Attorney General Clinic
When: Mon, April 1, 12-1pm
Where: WCC 4063
Details: Interested in spending winter term working with an Attorney General’s office outside of Boston, in your home town, or in another city? Attend an informational session with former Maine Attorney General, Prof. Tierney, who directs the Attorney General Clinic and teaches the Role of the Attorney General. Lunch will be provided. For more details, contact Liz Solar, Externship Director, Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs.

What: Clinical Registration Opens for 2013-14 Academic Year
When: Wed, April 3, 9am
Note: Clinical registration is for the entire 2013-14 year.

What: Clinical Registration Closes for 2013-14 Academic Year
When: Fri, April 5, 12:59pm
Note: Clinical registration is for the entire 2013-14 year.

Event 3/7: Dr. Jorja Leap will speak about her work on youth gang violence

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Thursday, March 7th at 12pm in WCC 3018

Dr. Jorja Leap, an expert on gangs and at-risk youth, is currently working to reduce community-based violence and promote pro-social attitudes within violence-plagued neighborhoods. As part of these efforts, Dr. Leap is currently the senior policy advisor on Gangs and Youth Violence for the Sheriff of Los Angeles. Dr. Leap will discuss her work and answer questions you may have on issues relating to gang violence and how we can address the problem.

Sponsored by the Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project. This event is open to anyone who is interested. (Non-pizza) lunch will be provided.