OPIA Blog

A profile of alum Janson Wu (HLS, 2003) in The Progressive: http://www.glad.org/uploads/docs/staff-p….

Wasserstein Fellows do great and courageous things. Mary Bonauto, Civil Rights Project Director at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is (and has been) no exception. As a Wasserstein Fellow during the 2004-2005 year, she mentored law students thinking about pursuing careers in civil rights and civil liberties. She is currently (and has been for a long time) at the foreground of the battle for LGBT rights and DOMA. This article in the New York Times profiles her fight, along with mentions of two other HLS alums, Evan Wolfson and Jenny Wiggins.

In Mika Brezinzski’s “Women of Value” Series, she profiles Danielle Gray, who is currently the Cabinet Secretary and Assistant to the President. Gray graduated from HLS in 2003 and has worked with President Obama for a number of years. Before joining his cabinet, she was the Associate Counsel to the President, and before that the Deputy Policy Director for Obama for America, focusing on domestic policy as well as law and judicial issues. Earlier in her career, she served as a Law Clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Merrick Garland on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Two recent HLS alumnae, Devon Goodrich (HLS, 2011) and Leocadie (Lee) Welling (HLS, 2011) received rookie of the year honors from the New York City Law Department, as top rookies in their field. The awards are given out to first-year attorneys who “demonstrate outstanding performance, promise, dedication, solid work ethics, constructive attitude and willingness to contribute to building a positive work environment.” Congratulations to Devon and Lee! You can see the full listing at http://www.nyc.gov/html/law/downloads/pd….

Read about two recent HLS alums, Ariane Tschumi and Neha Sheth, and the exciting work they’re involved in within the federal government. Tschumi and Sheth are both Heyman Fellows, a program at HLS that seeks to encourage HLS graduates to pursue careers in federal government.

Neha Sheth’s profile

Ariane Tschumi’s profile

You can learn more about the Heyman Fellowship Program here.

Daniel Grooms knew early on during his time at HLS that he wanted to work in public service, and specifically work in the federal government. Through the Heyman Fellowship Program , he was able to get his start. As he says in this great profile in the Washington Post, he “hasn’t looked back since.”

James Levine (HLS, 2010) and Matthew Greenfield (HLS, 2012) were named Assistant District Attorneys in Middlesex County this year. They are among 18 new ADA hires in Middlesex County this year.

James Levine will be assigned to the Appeals and Training Bureau, while Matthew Greenfield will be with the Framingham District Court. You can view the full class of ADAs at Boston.com.

Jim Goldston (HLS’87) provides a brief overview on public interest litigation through OSI’s Law Talks. A good listen from an expert who has been in the field.
 http://www.soros.org/voices/law-talks-ja…

In Bryan Stevenson’s recent TED Conference talk, he provides some incredible insights on his own personal history, and also tackles larger issues of mass incarceration, racial divides and disparities. This is worth watching all the way through.

The Supreme Court weighed in on juvenile incarceration and found in favor of youth.

In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled that laws requiring youths to spend life in prison violate the eighth amendment.

Bryan Stevenson, (HLS, class of 1985), represented the defendants and commented that this was “an important win for children.”