OPIA Blog

Alum suggests a ray of hope lies ahead for Sudan

Rebecca Hamilton, a current fellow with Open Society Institute and HLS alum (2007), wrote an op-ed in the Boston Globe commenting on the potential positive consequences of the anticipated arrest of the president of Sudan, Omar Al Bashir, for crimes in Darfur. While immense problems still loom in Darfur – much of which Al Bashir has been blamed for – Hamilton senses that the arrest of Bashir is a necessary first step to ensure a small step forward away from corruption and perhaps towards unity and transparency. Nothing is guaranteed, but the possible arrest could prove to be popular among the Sudanese and force the international community to work on behalf of human rights. “No longer does the dividing line have to be between those who criticize the Sudanese government and those who do not. Instead it can be about those who want to align themselves with legally punishable behavior and those who reject it. Overnight, the costs of lining up silently alongside Khartoum have increased.”

To read Rebecca’s full op-ed piece, visit the site here.

February 27th, 2009 Posted by opia | Alumni, Students, Uncategorized | No Comments

3Ls view of graduation from an unsettled economic state

On Law.com graduating students from various law schools reflect on a changing world economy and view the job market for private law firms, or public interest firms not as promising as just a few years ago.

The interesting part of the article is the issues and circumstances graduating 3Ls are facing are varied and while some see great opportunities in some law arenas, others still face uncertainty.

Take Ben Carlsen who is graduating from the University of Georgia Law School. He entered into law school in 2005, when the job market was robust and firms were hiring. Now, Carlsen sees things differently and has much different expectations. “‘We started applying to law school back in 2005. Most people expected to go into the market and make at least $100,000. That was the general consensus. Now the thought is: ‘I’m not going to get a $150,000 job. I just want a job with benefits.’ ‘”

To read more about what 3Ls across the country are thinking, read the full article available here.

February 3rd, 2009 Posted by opia | Uncategorized | No Comments