1. Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund 2. Brennan Center for Justice 3. The City of New York—Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings 4. Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. 5. Earthjustice 6. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 7. Gay Men’s Health Crisis 8. Global Justice Center 9. Human Rights First 10. Human Rights Foundation 11. International Rescue Committee 12. Legal Action Center 13. Legal Aid Society 14. The Legal Aid Society 15. The Legal Aid Society, Employment Law Project 16. New England Institute of Jewish Studies 17. New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Securities 18. New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Inc 19. New York Legal Assistance Group 20. New York State Office of the Attorney General 21. Office of the Appellate Defender, Reinvestigation Project 22. The United States Immigration Court
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund New York, NY *Office Assistant Overview/Qualifications: The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), founded in 1974, is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all. This position is open ONLY to students with work-study grants or students who wish to volunteer. Schedule is flexible, work to be done during office hours 9:30am - 5:30pm. No evenings or weekends. Duties: Responsibilities include data entry, organizing press clippings, answering phones, doing mailings, and performing general clerical duties. Other responsibilities include providing support for fundraising events, and community education and outreach projects. To apply: Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to: Jennifer Weng Office Assistant Position Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund 99 Hudson Street, 12th floor New York , New York 10013 fax: 212.966.4303 email: info@aaldef.org Deadline: ASAP Salary: Unpaid
Brennan Center for Justice New York City *Intern Overview/Qualifications: The Brennan Center for Justice is a non-partisan public policy and law institute that focuses on the fundamental issues of democracy and justice. A leading authority on election reform and voting rights, the Brennan Center is seeking a part-time intern to help research and co-author a report on universal voter registration. The report, which will be released in January 2008, will explore how to remedy one of the most prevalent problems in American elections, low voter turnout due to barriers to voter registration. The ideal candidate will be a graduate student in the social sciences or public policy in or around New York City (highly accomplished undergraduates are also welcome to apply) and will demonstrate the following: Excellent writing and research skills; Familiarity with policy implementation and reform at the state level; Enthusiasm for voting issues. Duties: The duties of the intern will be to research the nuts and bolts of how states can create lists of eligible voters in order to implement automatic, state-administered voter registration. This research will entail in-depth phone interviews with state officials on existing mechanisms to collect and utilize data on state residents. To Apply: The position will be open until filled so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please send a cover letter, resume and one brief writing sample by e-mail with "Universal Registration Intern" in the subject line to: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu. Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Unpaid
The City of New York—Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings New York, NY *Intern Overview/Qualifications: The Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) has functioned since 1979 as a central tribunal with the authority to conduct administrative hearings for any agency, board or commission of the city. OATH was established by Executive Order No. 32 in 1979, to professionalize the administrative hearing system serving city government. To secure this objective, OATH was meant to function as an independent agency of government so that its judges would not be unduly influenced by the prosecutor or petitioning agency. Duties: Assist Administrative Judicial Institute (AJI) staff. Duties include, but are not limited to, researching training and ethics issues; drafting training materials; producing, compiling, and binding course materials; scheduling speakers; reviewing agency publications; designing website; creating and maintaining databases. To apply: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to: Cherron Howard-Williams, Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings 40 Rector Street, 6th floor New York, NY 10006 Deadline: November 5, 2007 Salary: $8.40-$12.86 per hour
Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. Stamford, CT *Law Student Intern Overview/Qualifications: Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) provides legal representation and advice to low-income households and represents families and individuals in administrative hearings, and in state and federal courts. CLS seeks interns in its Stamford and Bridgeport offices, with a focus on Day-Laborer issues. The internship includes working at the CLS Day Laborer Wage and House Clinic in Stamford two evenings per month. Applicants should have experience in or connections to low-income communities and minority communities, and students with Spanish language ability are encouraged to apply. Duties: Interns will receive training in client interview skills; assist with an active caseload of representation and advice cases, including community education; and may have the opportunity to represent clients in administrative hearings or under the student practice rule if qualified. To apply: Submit a resume, writing sample, and references to: Nadine Nevins Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. 211 State Street Bridgeport, CT 06604 (203) 336-3851 nnevins@ConnLegalServices.org Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Unspecified
Earthjustice New York, NY *Intern Overview/Qualifications: Earthjustice’s New York City office is hiring full-time legal interns for summer 2008 and part-time legal interns for the spring semester 2008. Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. We bring about far-reaching change by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations and communities. Applicants should have a strong interest in environmental law, and an equally strong work ethic. Summer interns are expected to work a minimum of 10 full weeks. Spring interns are expected to work at least one day per week during the semester. Duties: Legal interns work directly with staff lawyers in the development and prosecution of environmental litigation. Depending on prior experience and ability, their duties may include legal research and analysis, factual research and analysis, preparing correspondence and legal documents, and strategy development. To apply: Offers are made on a rolling basis, so applications should be submitted as soon as possible. Please send (by email if possible) a cover letter, resume, college and law school transcripts (unofficial copies accepted), names and phone numbers of three references (at least one should be a law school professor) and legal writing sample to: Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice 116 John Street, Suite 3100 New York, NY 10038 adillen@earthjustice.org. Deadline: Rolling Salary: Summer interns will be eligible for CLS’s guaranteed public interest funding and spring interns (if they are 2Ls or 3Ls) can receive credit towards the pro bono requirement.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission New York, NY *Spring 2008 Intern Overview/Qualifications: The New York District Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission presides over and decides employment discrimination cases filed against the federal government under Title VII, the ADEA, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Equal Pay Act. There are currently five Administrative Judges in the office. Duties: The Judicial Internship Program affords law students the opportunity to work closely with the Administrative Judges and learn about employment discrimination as well as evidentiary, procedural, and administrative law issues. Interns are directly involved with the cases and participate in a full array of legal work and assignments. To apply: If you wish to apply to the Program, please send your resume and cover letter to: Administrative Judge Nadine E. Lewis, Program Coordinator Nadine.lewis@eeoc.gov fax: (212) 336-3744. Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Unpaid
Gay Men’s Health Crisis New York, NY *Intern Overview/Qualifications: Gay Men’s Health Crisis is a non-profit organization that offers an array of programs and services to thousands of HIV positive men, women, and children every year. Though some of our services are for registered clients only, there are many workshops and programs available to the general public regardless of HIV status, sexual orientation, or gender. GMHC believes in promoting the health and wellness of all people affected by HIV and AIDS. Duties: Law students have busy schedules and the GMHC Legal Department can work with applicants to craft the internship that provides the best fit for your time and for your areas of interest. To apply: Please send your resume, writing sample, and a cover letter explaining your interest in the work done at GMHC to: Gay Men’s Health Crisis 119 West 24 Street New York, NY 10011 Attention: Jeffrey L. Brooks, Esq. Legal Department, 7th Floor jeffreyb@gmhc.org Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Unspecified
Global Justice Center New York, NY *Intern Overview & Qualifications: The absence of women in decision-making positions is a violation of women’s human rights and the GJC works to empower women by enforcing existing human rights treaty guarantees that require governments to take affirmative steps to ensure women’s political rights and gender representation at all levels of government in all countries. Applicants should demonstrate an interest in and knowledge of women’s rights, international relations, law, public policy, transitional justice, or nation-building; be law students who have already taken at least one course in international law; have strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; and be able to work independently. Knowledge of languages is a plus. Duties: Global Justice Center interns will be involved in current projects as well as have the opportunity to develop their own areas of research as it fits within the mission of the organization.
To apply: Please send a current resume, a cover letter, writing sample, and list of two references to: humanresources@globaljusticecenter.net Deadline: December 20, 2007 Salary: Unspecified
Human Rights First New York, NY *Intern—Human Rights Defenders Program Overview/Qualifications: The Human Rights Defenders Program provides support and assistance for individuals and organizations threatened or targeted for persecution resulting from their activities in support of human rights. By mobilizing government officials, diplomats, academics, corporate leaders, and U.N. officials we pressure governments to ensure the basic rights and freedoms needed by human rights activists to carry out their essential functions. Human Rights First welcomes applications for interns in its Human Rights Defenders Program. Interns will be based in HRF’s New York office and will be expected to commit to working at least 10 – 12 hours a week for a minimum 10-week period. Duties: General responsibilities will include research, analysis and drafting of memoranda on substantive and procedural issues, legal issues and legislative matters; documenting and reporting on human rights conditions; and suupporting program staff on broader advocacy initiatives, including research, preparation of advocacy materials and assisting with outreach to designated constituencies. To apply: To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume with references, transcript and a writing sample to: Interns_NY@HumanRightsFirst.org with ‘Human Rights Defenders Internship’ in the subject line. Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis Salary: Interns will be responsible for securing their own funding.
Human Rights Foundation New York, New York *Intern Overview/Qualifications: The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan organization devoted to defending human rights in the American hemisphere. Grounding our work in a deep commitment to individual liberty, we aim to raise awareness about both the nature of freedom and the vulnerability of freedom in the Americas. The Human Rights Foundation was incorporated in 2005, and opened its offices in New York in August of 2006. Our International Council brings together a dynamic, experienced, and committed group of global leaders in the struggle for human freedom and individual dignity. Duties: The New York Office of the HRF is seeking volunteers for a project that entails legal and factual research of human rights violations in Cuba and other Latin American countries. The work of the volunteers will include producing and editing the working papers summarizing sanctionable human rights violations under the supervision of the HRF’s Director of International Law; preparing internal summaries of judgments concerning implemented humanitarian law in the International Criminal Tribunals (ICTY, ICTR); contributing to internal discussions on mandate, policy, and strategy for advancing international criminal law; and carring out other tasks as required by the Director of International Law. To apply: For an application please contact the HRF’s Director of International Law: Chen Kelfman Knahan, chen@humanrightsfoundation.org Please attach your resume to the email. Deadline: Apply ASAP Salary: Unspecified
International Rescue Committee New York, NY * Bilingual Immigration Legal Intern/Volunteer Overview/Qualifications: The IRC is looking for someone who is fluent in Mandarin, Vietnamese and/or Korean in order to conduct community outreach and complete USCIS applications. The person should also have prior experience in immigration and advocacy. Duties: The intern will develop and implement advocacy plan to encourage immigrants of East Asian origin to apply for U.S. citizenship, and identify immigrant communities and locales for advocacy. To apply: Please contact: Rachel Eichholz Human Resources Administrator International Rescue Committee 122 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10168-1289 Tel 212.551.2984 Fax 212.551.3170 http://www.theirc.org/www.theIRC.org Deadline: Apply immediately Salary: Unspecified
Legal Action Center New York, NY *Intern Overview/Qualifications: The Legal Action Center is a not-for-profit public interest law firm with offices in New York City and D.C. that specializes in legal and policy issues relating to the rights of those with HIV/AIDS, criminal records and addiction histories. The Legal Action Center seeks second- and third-year law students to work part-time during the fall of 2007. Applicants should have excellent research and writing skills. Duties: The work will involve legal research and writing, litigation assistance, client intake, policy analysis, and other activities. Much of the work is done in the areas of constitutional and civil rights law, employment discrimination, and the administration of the criminal justice system. To apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to: Attn: Renee Martinez Legal Action Center 225 Varick St., 4th Fl New York, NY 10014 fax #: (212)675-0286 rmartinez@lac.org Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Unspecified, but paid
Legal Aid Society New York, NY *Spring Internship Overview/Qualifications: The Legal Aid Society provides free legal services to low income families and individuals. The Society’s major areas of legal practice are the Civil Practice, the Criminal Practice, and the Juvenile Rights Practice. The Legal Aid Society seeks part-time interns for the spring 2008 semester. Internships are available for all law students in all practice areas. All internships are unpaid volunteer positions, though the Society is happy to cooperate with students and their schools to ensure class credits or funding from outside sources. Duties: Interns work closely with attorneys and other staff members to assist in the advocacy of clients. Interns conduct research, write legal memos and motions, and interview clients and witnesses. To apply: Submit a cover letter and resume to: Peter Lane, Internship Coordinator internship@legal-aid.org Include in the subject line the name of the Practice Area to which you would like to apply. Deadline: January 22 Salary: Unpaid
The Legal Aid Society New York, NY *Intern Overview/Qualifications: The Legal Aid Society is the nation’s oldest and largest legal services organization, and the Civil Practice area is the Society’s longest-standing component. The Civil Practice provides direct legal assistance to low-income persons in a variety of forums through neighborhood offices. The Society’s Employment Law Project expands on the work of the Civil Practice by providing legal services to indigent persons in all five boroughs. Many of the clients of the Employment Law Project are low-wage immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean. The internship is for 2L &3L’s only. Duties: Law interns participate in all areas of our practice. Assistance in litigation includes developing facts, discovery, drafting of pleadings and briefs, commencing lawsuits by filing pleadings, interviewing applicants for legal services, and individual client advocacy. Each intern would have the opportunity to handle at least one Unemployment Insurance hearing (with supervision). Interns attend court appearances and assist attorneys with depositions. To apply: Candidates should apply by sending a cover letter, cv, writing sample, and a list of two references to: internships@legal-aid.org. In the subject line of the email be sure to write “Employment Law Project Internship.” Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Unspecified
The Legal Aid Society, Employment Law Project New York, NY *Spring 2008 Internship Overview/Qualifications: The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice provides direct legal assistance to low-income persons in a variety of forums through neighborhood offices. The Society’s Employment Law Project expands on the work of the Civil Practice by providing legal services to indigent persons in all five boroughs and handles claims involving wage and hour violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act compliance, ERISA, discrimination based upon criminal convictions, severance agreements, and employment-based health insurance and disability benefits. The Employment Law Project seeks second- and third-year law students for internships during the fall of 2007 and/or the spring of 2008. Duties: Interns will assist in litigation by developing facts, discovery, drafting of pleadings and briefs, commencing lawsuits by filing pleadings, interviewing applications for legal services, and individual client advocacy. Each intern would have the opportunity to handle at lease on Unemployment Insurance hearing (with supervision), and interns attend court appearances and assist attorneys with depositions. To apply: Submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, writing sample, and a list of two references to: internships@legal-aid.org Word documents are preferred for all attachments. Write “Employment Law Project Internship” in the subject line of your email. Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Unspecified
New England Institute of Jewish Studies Jerusalem, Israel *Fellowship Overview/Qualifications: The New England Institute of Jewish Studies is sponsoring a three week winter program [from December 23, 2007 through January 13, 2008] combining the study of Jewish thought, Jewish ethics, Israel's global challenges and tours of Israel. The purpose of the program is to explore Israel and Judaism in the context of one's professional and personal goals. The program features many exciting tours and hikes in Israel. Tuition, airfare, lodging, tours, and meals for the program costs $3,300. The program will award $2,800 of the program fee to qualified applicants towards payment of the program. Duties: varies To apply: Please visit the following website to obtain an application: www.neijs.org or info@neijs.org Deadline: unspecified Salary: N/A
New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Securities Newark, NJ *Intern Overview/Qualifications: The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Securities, is charged with protecting investors by enforcing New Jersey’s Uniform Securities Law, and the Bureau regulates securities firms, stock brokers and investment advisers, as well as securities offerings into or from New Jersey. The Bureau seeks interns to work for 15 to 20 hours per week. Students of any year may apply. The internship is unpaid, though the work may qualify for classroom credit. Duties: Interns may review and examine deposition transcriptions, corporate/business financial records, brokerage records, documents, transactions and receipts; draft administrative and civil pleadings and other documents; assist Bureau staff with responses to requests for legal assistance; research and draft no-action letters, affidavits, subpoenas, orders, and formal requests for documents as needed; and assist in the review of private placements and public securities offerings. To apply: Submit via fax or email a cover letter, resume, writing sample of no more than five pages, grade report, and list of relevant coursework, to: Attn: Amy Kopleton, Deputy Chief Fax #: (973)504-3601 amy.kopleton@lps.state.nj.us Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Unpaid
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Inc *Intern New York, NY Overview & Qualifications: NYLPI is a civil rights law firm that helps underrepresented people develop legal strategies to serve their vision for themselves and their communities. Summer Interns will have an opportunity to work with NYLPI Staff in a range of civil rights issues, including Disability Rights, Environmental Justice and Community Development, and Access to Health Care. Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to social justice issues, excellent research, writing and communications skills, and the initiative and energy necessary to see projects to completion. The firm will accept applications from both 1Ls and 2Ls. Duties: Projects will most likely involve factual and legal research, as well as writing. To apply: Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, three references, and a non-fiction writing sample of no more than 5 pages in length to: Joni Carrasco New York Lawyers for the Public Interest 151 West 30th Street New York, New York 10001 or e-mail to internships@nylpi.org. Deadline: February 15, 2008 Salary: Unspecified
*Intern: track voting registration histories of nursing home and adult home residents
Contact: Dennis Boyd email: dboyd@nylpi.org phn: 212-244-4664
Program Background: NYLPI's voting rights project helps to ensure that those with disabilities have the right to participate fully in social and civic life. Project description: Using NYLPI Voting Rights materials, an intern will do outreach and education to adult homes and small residences for people with multiple disabilities. The intern will help collect data related to voting registration patterns at these types of institutions. Qualifications: 2Ls or 3Ls preferred Number of Students needed: 1 Time Required: 50-60 Start Date: mid-January Application Procedure: send email of interest to Dennis Boyd above.
New York Legal Assistance Group New York, NY *Spring Internship Overview/Qualifications: The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) is a not-for-profit law office that provides free civil legal services for low-income New Yorkers, and the Special Litigation Unit (SLU) brings class action and other impact lawsuits on behalf of people denied civil rights or government benefits of services. NYLAG’s Special Litigation Unit has at least one opening for a law student intern during the Spring 2008 semester. Applicants must have excellent research, writing, and analytical skills, and must be able to commit to working at least 10 hours per week. Duties: Unspecified To apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, short writing sample, and references to: Jason Parkin jparkin@nylag.org Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Unpaid, though NYLAG will help with grant requirements or requirements for law school credit.
New York State Office of the Attorney General New York, NY *Spring Internship Overview/Qualifications: The New York State Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has part-time internship positions open for the spring semester for second- and third-year law students in the New York City office. Internships are available in bureaus such as Litigation, Claims, Criminal Prosecutions, Environmental, Investor Protection, Public Integrity, Health Care and Consumer Frauds. Duties: Interns assist attorneys in all phases of their work, including but not limited to legal research, responding to discovery requests, preparing for trial, and performing some clerical work. To apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample to: Sandra Jefferson Grannum, Esq., Bureau Chief Legal Recruitment Bureau Office of the New York State Attorney General 120 Broadway New York, NY 10271 Indicate reference no. SPRINGSTU111307 and any particular bureau of interest in your cover letter. Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Paid positions are $13.85/hour for 15 hours per week for at least fourteen weeks this fall. Work-study positions are also available, and students may also work as volunteer Legal Interns or for school credit, if available from their school.
Office of the Appellate Defender, Reinvestigation Project New York, NY Overview/Qualifications: The Office of the Appellate Defender is a not-for-profit organization that provides appellate and post-conviction representation to indigent persons in New York City, and its Reinvestigation Project identifies cases that rested heavily on single eyewitness identifications, confessions, unreliable forensic evidence, and/or jailhouse informant testimony and reinvestigates them with the goal of reopening the cases in trial court. The project offers law students the opportunity to work on a series of research memos on the causes of wrongful convictions. Duties: Students will work on a series of research memos on the causes of wrongful convictions and could also have the opportunity to work on follow-up research, or on specific cases, and the organization will sponsor students to receive credit for their work if possible. To apply: Contact project director Alexis Agathocleous at: phone #: (212) 402-4131 aagathocleous@appellatedefender.org Deadline: Unspecified Salary: Unspecified
The United States Immigration Court Newark, New Jersey *Spring 2008 Intern Overview/Qualifications: The United States Immigration Court in Newark, New Jersey, consists of seven Immigration Judges who are charged with the responsibility of determining whether individuals are removable from the United States. The Immigration Judges have jurisdiction to consider applications for various forms of discretionary or mandatory relief, including asylum, adjustment of status, cancellation of removal, and waivers of inadmissibility. A commitment of at least 10 hours per week is optimal (depending on requirements for credit). Students may arrange those hours to complement their academic schedules but should not plan to work less than four hours at one time. Immigration Review, United States Immigration Court, at Newark, New Jersey, for the spring semester 2008. All law students are eligible and encouraged to apply. Prior knowledge of immigration law is helpful but not necessary. Duties: The internship will entail in-depth research and analysis of novel legal issues, as well as preparation of legal memoranda for the immigration judges. Interns will have an opportunity to draft several decisions that will be taken under advisement by an immigration judge. Interns can expect to complete assignments that may later be used as writing samples. In addition, interns will be able to observe a variety of matters brought before the court. The legal interns will work under the supervision of the court’s judicial law clerk but will also have substantial interaction with the individual immigration judges. To apply: Interested students must submit a cover letter detailing the their interest in immigration law, resume, 5-10 page writing sample, and law school transcript (unofficial acceptable) by November 9. Please submit applications to either: Jeffrey Widdison Attorney Advisor Jeffrey.Widdison@usdoj.gov or: Ellen Buckwalter Judicial Law Clerk Ellen.L.Buckwalter@usdoj.gov Deadline: November 9, 2007 Salary: Unpaid
Spring Break Pro Bono Projects - List #1 - 2/28/2008
(Note: # 19 Requires IMMEDIATE Assistance)
1. ACLU – Voting Rights Project: Update Voter Empowerment Cards for Upcoming Elections 2. Bronx Defenders (on site): On Site Work with Families Who Have Cases in Both Family & Criminal Court 3. Campaign for Youth Justice: Assist with Report on Impact of Trying Youth as Adults in Various States 4. Church World Service - Miami (on site): Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Work 5. EEOC: 1 of their Projects Taken 6. Farmers Legal Action Group: Research Related to the National Organic Program in Context of International organic Regimes 7. Hudson River Park Trust (on site): Assist with a Variety of Legal Issues Related to Management of the Hudson River Park Along Westside Waterfront 8. Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) - Research Health & Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Organisms 9. ICCR / research related to freedom of speech and hate crimes 10. International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR): Assist with Art Law/Cultural Property Website Initiative (Email afitzg1@law.columbia.edu for Details & Contact Info) 11. Legal Aid Society: Project Taken 12. Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Project: Research Related to Wage & Hour Violations… 13. Legal Aid Society – Immigration Unit: project taken 14. Legal Outreach: Create Fact Patterns for High School Students Attending Legal Outreach Mock Trial & Summer Law Institute 15. Legal Services of New York: Project Taken 16. New York City Conflicts of Interest Board: Write Brief Legislative History of NYC Ethics Laws 17. New York Civil Liberties Union: Create Student and Youth Rights Handbook 18. New York County Defender: Project Taken 19. South Brooklyn Legal Services: Assist on Amicus Brief for Case Pending Before US Supreme Court: Metlife vs. Glenn (IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE)
1. American Civil Liberties Union – Voting Rights Project
ADDRESS: 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Suite 2600, Atlanta, GA 30303. CONTACT PERSON: Bryan Sells PHONE: 404-523-2721 EMAIL: bsells@aclu.org WEBSITE: www.aclu.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": To preserve civil rights and liberties.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Voter Empowerment Cards
In each election cycle since 2000, the ACLU has distributed wallet-sized voter-empowerment cards to voters across the country through its network of state affiliates. These cards are designed to inform voters of their rights and to empower them to protect them on Election Day.
Because the cards are jurisdiction and date specific, they must be updated each election cycle. Students who choose to work on this project will help us with that task.
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): This can be done anywhere.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: It takes 2-5 hours to update each card.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: Up to 10.
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY: Basic legal research and writing skills and proficiency in the English language.
ADDRESS: 860 Courtlandt Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451 CONTACT PERSON: Kara Finck PHONE: 718-838-7839 EMAIL: karaf@bronxdefenders.org WEBSITE: www.bronxdefenders.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email or phone
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": Public defender office with a project in family law
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Looking for students who can work on site over spring break.FDP works with clients who have concurrent cases in family court and criminal court. Our holistic teams of attorneys, social workers, and parent liaisons work with parents to navigate the Family Court and child welfare systems.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 40 hours per student
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT: n/a APPLICATION PROCESS: Email and phone call describing your interest in the work DEADLINE: n/a
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": The Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ) is a national campaign dedicated to ending the practice of trying, sentencing, and incarcerating children (under age 18) in the adult justice system; and working to improve conditions within the juvenile justice system. CFYJ believes that youthful offenders are better served by the juvenile justice system, where greater emphasis is placed on developmentally-appropriate rehabilitative and educational services.
CFYJ Goals: To raise awareness about the negative impact of prosecuting youthful offenders in the adult criminal justice system and of incarcerating youthful offenders in adult jails and prisons; To reduce the number of youthful offenders who are tried, sentenced, and incarcerated in the adult system, rather than adjudicated in the juvenile justice system;To decrease the harmful impact of trying youthful offenders in adult court; and To promote researched-based, developmentally-appropriate rehabilitative programs and services for youthful offenders as an alternative to the adult system.
CFYJ Methods: Working in conjunction with partners at the national, state and local levels, the Campaign seeks to accomplish these goals through the following methods: Providing training, technical assistance and resources to state-based organizing groups to affect policy change at the state and local levels; Supporting coordinated research efforts on the issue of juveniles being held in adult correctional facilities and disseminating reports and other information on successful advocacy models and policy reforms; Advocating for rehabilitative justice policies at the local,state and national levels; Coordinating effective messaging -through media and communications strategies - to inform policy makers, researchers, journalists, advocates, and the general public about this aspect of our juvenile justice system and its impact on the lives of youth and families; and Serving as a national clearinghouse and convener for advocates, policy makers, researchers, and others working on this critical issue.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: In March 2007, the Campaign for Youth Justice produced The Consequences Aren't Minor: The Impact of
Trying Youth as Adults and Strategies for Reform, in March 2007 which looked at 7 states. CFYJ is planning to release a similar report in early 2009 and needs to learn more about the law in the following states (in priority order): Oregon, Nevada,Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Missouri, South Carolina, Oklahoma,and Pennsylvania.
Please review the California chapter in the report, available online at
Students will be expected to do two or three pieces of research for each state. First, students will summarize the law in each state (after checking for any state legislative updates). Second, students will gather information about the public records act or freedom of information act laws in each state. Third (optional), students will submit requests for data to the state after an initial scan of data available already on state websites.
Students will be credited for their work in the acknowledgements of the report.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 20-40 hours per state depending on research and data availability in each state.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1-10 (1 student per state)
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT: None
APPLICATION PROCESS: Phone call to discuss project, select state, and set up schedule
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Project (each state) should be completed by May 15.
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION: Church World Service provides a range of services to immigrants and refugees including resettlement service, legal services for immigration issues and the issues of detainees.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: We are open to receiving students who would like to spend at least one week doing volunteer work on location and we generally host students during Spring Break and over the Summer.
ADDRESS: 360 N. Robert St., Suite 500, St. Paul, MN 55101 CONTACT PERSON: Jill Krueger or Karen Krub PHONE: 651-223-5400 EMAIL: jkrueger@flaginc.org WEBSITE: www.flaginc.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email or phone are fine.
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) is a nonprofit law center dedicated to providing legal services to family farmers and their rural communities in order to help keep family farmers on the land.
America needs an agriculture that supports healthy rural communities, protects the environment, and promotes a safe, diverse, and stable food supply. To achieve these goals, America needs a healthy family farm-based system of agriculture. Targeted, top-notch legal information and advocacy are indispensable in the struggle to defend family-based agriculture and secure social and economic justice for farmers. FLAG exists to provide those legal services.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Research related to the National Organic Program in context of international organic regimes.
The National Organic Program regulations reference international standards in at least two points, 7 C.F.R. sec. 205.509 and
7 C.F.R.sec. 205.640. The prefatory comments to the final rule contained additional references to requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (65 Fed. Reg. 80,548 (2000)).
Research on one or more of the following questions: What is the best argument that the National Organic Program operated by USDA must comply with ISO requirements? Is this argument likely to prevail under current U.S. law? Are there other sectors of the economy under which the U.S. government has bound itself to comply with ISO requirements? Have citizens successfully petitioned for changes in U.S. law to bring it into conformity with ISO standards?
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): Location is open.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: Perhaps 20-30 hours for each question. Student may choose to address one or both questions.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT: Must be a 2L or 3L. Preferably have taken at least one course each in international law and administrative law.
ADDRESS: Pier 40, 2nd Floor, West St & Houston, NY, NY 10014 CONTACT PERSON: Denise A. Romano, MA, EdM Director, HR/OD PHONE: 212-627-2020; Fax 212-627-2021 EMAIL: dromano@hrpt.state.ny.us WEBSITE: www.huudsonriverpark.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): e-mail
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION"/ PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Hudson River Park Trust is a partnership between New York State and City. Our mission is to design, construct, manage, and operate the 550-acre Hudson River Park and Estuarine Sanctuary along the waterfront on the west side of Manhattan for five miles from Battery Place to 59th Street.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1 – 2 for spring
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT: 2L, 3L or LLM
APPLICATION PROCESS: Please e-mail a letter of interest, resume and writing sample to Denise Romano.
8. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR)
ADDRESS: 475 Riverside Drive / Suite 1842 / New York, NY 10115 CONTACT PERSON: Leslie Lowe, Energy and Environment Program Director Nadira Narine, Associate Program Director/ Internship Coordinator PHONE:Leslie: 212-870-2623, Nadira: 212-870-2275 EMAIL: lowe@iccr.org and/or nnarine@iccr.org WEBSITE: www.iccr.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": ICCR members bridge the divide between morality and markets by envisioning a civic economy that integrates ethical, environmental and social values. Inspired by faith, committed to action; we challenge ourselves to build a just and sustainable global community.
ICCR is a thirty-five-year-old international coalition of 275 faith-based institutional investors including denominations, religious communities, pension funds, healthcare corporations, foundations, asset management companies, colleges, and dioceses. As responsible stewards, they merge social values with investment decisions, believing they must achieve more than an acceptable financial return. ICCR members utilize religious investments and other resources to change unjust or harmful corporate policies, working for peace, economic justice and stewardship of the Earth.
ICCR members are serious, long-term investors for whom financial performance of their socially-screened portfolios is crucial to their investment strategy. They use the power of persuasion backed by economic pressure from consumers and investors to hold corporations accountable. They sponsor shareholder resolutions; meet with management; screen their investments; conduct public hearings; publish special reports; and sponsor letter writing campaigns.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: ICCR Members are concerned by: the potential health threats and environmental impacts of Genetically
Modified Organisms (GMOs); the exponential growth of the planting of genetically-engineered crops (particularly corn, soybeans, cotton, and canola) under a weak (and entirely voluntary) regulatory system; no long-term independent studies on health or environmental effects of GMOs; and awareness of growing international opposition to these products, ICCR has been studying GMOs for several years and filed the first shareholder resolution regarding it in the fall of 1999. Few public debates today are as polarizing as that surrounding the genetic modification of food. According to a 2003 ABC News poll, 93 percent of people think the government should require labels on genetically modified food, with the majority saying they'd likely use those labels to avoid the food. To date, no labeling exists to identify the GMOs in food. Alternatively, in May 2003, the U.S. officially accused the European Union of violating international trade agreements in blocking imports of U.S. farm products through its long-standing “ban” on genetically modified food. Though that characterization was hyperbole, in reality, there was a moratorium on planting GM crops to give the member states time to adopt regulations and for the European Parliament to approve labeling requirements for GM products sold throughout the EU. GM crops are now grown in Spain and even France.
ICCR would like a law student to research the settlement of claims against biotech companies for GMO contamination. They would be supervised by Leslie Lowe, ICCR’s Director of Energy & Environment Programs. Ms. Lowe has been an attorney in New York State for over 20 years. A graduate of Harvard Law School and of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bennington College and did post-graduate research in economic and social history at the University of Paris. Until March of 2002, she was the Executive Director of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYCEJA), a citywide network of 16 community-based organizations in low-income communities of color. She serves on the Boards of Directors of Housing Works, Inc., and The Social Investment Forum. She is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, and is a Trustee of The Weeksville Society.
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): Same as above.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: Report due by end of May 2008
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT: A 3L or LLM student; knowledge of civil law as well as common law jurisprudence and procedure is desirable but not essential.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Resume with cover letter, and an interview
9. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsiblity
ADDRESS: 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1842 CONTACT PERSON: Gary Brouse EMAIL: gbrouse@iccr.org WEBSITE: www.iccr.org
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": ICCR is a thirty-five-year-old international coalition of 275 faith-based institutional investors including denominations, religious communities, pension funds, healthcare corporations, foundations, asset management companies, colleges, and dioceses. As responsible stewards, they merge social values with investment decisions, believing they must achieve more than an acceptable financial return. ICCR Members bridge the divide between morality and markets by envisioning a civic economy that integrates ethical, environmental and social values. Inspired by faith, committed to action, we challenge ourselves to build a just and sustainable global community.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Would like students to research and consider the following questions: What about freedom of speech? What, when and where does something become a hate crime?
Examples: Columbia's professor hangman's noose incident. Bill O Reilly's comment about leading a lynching party against Michelle Obana if she is guilty.Jeno 6 incident and the hangman's noose at a school. Growing numbers of workplace hangman's nooses incidents on lockdoors, in restrooms or in emails. The "redskin" image is as offensive as any swastika or hangman's noose but legally not a symbol of hate? I want to know why?
10. International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR): Assist with Art Law/Cultural Property Website Initiative (Email afitzg1@law.columbia.edu for Details & Contact Info)
ADDRESS: 199 WATER STREET, 3RD FLOOR, NY, NY 10038 CONTACT PERSON: MARLEN S. BODDEN, INTERIM SUPERVISING ATTORNEY PHONE: 212.577.3287 EMAIL: mbodden@legal-aid.org WEBSITE: www.legal-aid.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": The Legal Aid Society is the nation’s oldest and largest legal services organization, and the Civil Practice area is the Society’s longest-standing component. The Civil Practice provides direct legal assistance to low-income persons in a variety of forums through neighborhood offices.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Society’s Employment Law Project expands on the work of the Civil Practice by providing legal services to indigent persons in all five boroughs. Many of the clients of the Employment Law Project are low-wage immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean. The Employment Law Project handles claims involving wage and hour violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act compliance, ERISA, discrimination based upon criminal convictions, severance agreements, and employment-based health insurance and disability benefits. Law interns participate in all areas of our practice. Assistance in litigation includes developing facts, discovery, drafting of pleadings and briefs, commencing lawsuits by filing pleadings, interviewing applicants for legal services, and individual client advocacy.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 40 hours
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: No set number
APPLICATION PROCESS if any (phone call, resume, cover letter, interview): email cover letter and resume
ADDRESS: 199 Water Street, New York, NY 10038 CONTACT PERSON: Yvonne Floyd-Mayers PHONE: (212) 577-3404 EMAIL: ymayers@legal-aid.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Phone or email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": Provide legal services to noncitizens in removal proceedings and USCIS. Expertise in intersection btw criminal and immigration law.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Background - Our office represents a 15 yrs old undocumented girl from Paute, Ecuador. Closest big city is Cuenca. She is in Immigration Court proceedings. Unfortunately, over the summer she suffered a intracranial hemorrhagic bleed. She was in the hospital for some time and then at a rehab center. She is now home and back in school but requires special services in school. She is currently being evaluated at school regarding need for speech language and physical therapy. She currently has a paraprofessional working with her while in school.
RESEARCH PROJECT: Availability and cost of medical services; as well as availability and cost of special education services, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Looking to put together a request seeking termination of her court proceedings on humanitarian grounds. Trying to make case that services needed for client will not be available in her home country or if available, will not be able to afford. Her family is low income. All reside in US. No family to return to in Ecuador.
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE):Research could be done off site.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 10-15 hours
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1 or 2
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT: Good research skills; ability to read and write Spanish a plus as some source material will be in Spanish.
ADDRESS: 402 West 145th Street, New York, NY 10031 CONTACT PERSON: Tamika Edwards, Director of Legal Education PHONE: 212-690-9989 EMAIL: tedwards@legaloutreach.org WEBSITE: www.legaloutreach.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": Legal Outreach prepares urban youth from underserved communities to compete at high levels by using intensive legal and educational programs as tools for fostering vision, developing skills, enhancing confidence, and facilitating the pursuit of higher education.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Create fact pattern and supporting documents – affidavits, medical reports, etc. – for Criminal Law Mock Trial for Legal Outreach’s Summer Law Institutes.
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): Independent
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 3 weeks
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 3
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT: Knowledge of criminal law
16. The NYC Conflicts of Interest Board - The Ethics Board for the City of New York
ADDRESS: Lafayette Street, Suite 1010, New York, NY 10007 CONTACT: Mark Davies: Executive Director 212-442-1424, Fax: 212-442-1407 EMAIL: davies@coib.nyu.gov WEBSITE: http://www.nyc.gov/ethics
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: (1) Collect the legislative history of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law from 1964 to date. This would involve researching the legislative history of each amendment to Article 18 (i.e., determining each statutory change and the associated legislative/governor's memorandum), obtaining a copy of each document (session laws, legislative memoranda, and governor's memoranda; these are all available in McKinney's Session Laws of New York but are not on Westlaw/Lexis/Internet prior to about 1991), and drafting up a brief memorandum summarizing the legislative history. The result will be scanned into a pdf document and posted on the NYSBA website and on the COIB website (see http://www.nyc.gov/html/conflicts/downloads/pdf2/Article_18_Legislative_History.pdf, for a partial legislative history, not even complete since 1990), with attribution to the student.
(2) Write a brief legislative history of Chapter 68 of the NYC Charter, NYC's ethics law. We have had someone go through the Charter Revision Commission testimony and other material and pull out all of the relevant excerpts, but we now need someone to draft up a history, reviewing by section what the material says. Again, the result, along with the underlying documentation, would be posted on our website with attribution to the student.
CONTACT: John G McCarthy, Columbia student chapter of the ACLU EMAIL: jgmccarthy@gmail.com
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The NYCLU is putting together a comprehensive student and youth rights handbook. Sections would include freedom of speech and expression, privacy, student organizations, LGBT rights/safe schools, military recruitment, rights of immigrant students, and more. It will be New York specific.
What we have for you is a list of questions we want to answer in the freedom of speech and expression section of the handbook and what we need you to do is research the answers. Eventually we will want to make the answers student-friendly,but for now we just need thorough legal research (footnoted, etc.) using Westlaw or Lexis. This is probably obvious, but you are looking at New York law (Second circuit on the federal level, etc.) There are about 30 questions, but many of them are very simple.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 3-5 _____________________________________________________
105 Court Street 3rd floor Brooklyn NY 11201 CONTACT PERSON: Gary Stone, Unit Director PHONE: (646) 442-3316 EMAIL: gstone@lsny.org WEBSITE: South Brooklyn Legal Services. PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Telephone
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": represent indigent in civil matters/ law reform
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: I IMMEDIATELY need a good research to work with me on an amicus brief for a case now pending before the
US Supreme Court: MetLife v. Glenn
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1 or 2
APPLICATION PROCESS: Call me and send 1-2 writing samples. A resume is optional but good.
2. Atlantic Legal Aid: Mental Health and Disability Rights: a. administrative law, b. advocacy for mentally ill and developmentally delayed seniors in nursing homes, c.medicaid rehab option problem, d. pre-admission screening and resident review e. specialized rehab services and durable medical equipment, f. social security access
3. Drug Policy Alliance: Research laws related to discrimination based on drug abuse or criminal offender status
4. EEOC: a. Research and draft paper for CLE presentation on Pay Equity Claims in Higher Education, b. affirmative action remedies in the employment discrimination context,c. survey on second circuit employment discrimination cases
5. HIV Law Project: Research policy issues and legislative initiatives related to infected and affected women.
6. Human Rights Watch - Women’s Rts Division: a. Global Overview of Legal Protections for Domestic Workers & b. Analysis of court judgments on domestic servitude/forced labor/and domestic slavery
7. LawHelp: Assist with research to develop the immigration & language access section of the site
8. Legal Services of Greater Miami: a. affordable housing project, b. disability law project
9. Legal Services of NYC: Assist with report on legal needs of indigent New Yorkers
10. Lutheran Social Services of NY (French speaker needed): Help with asylum case
11. National Center for Youth Law: research on who has the right to consent to health care for foster children
12. Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP): Research progressive changes in state financial services regulations
PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email.
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": Drug Policy Alliance is the nation's leading organization devoted to minimizing the harms associated with both drug misuse and the laws and policies that derive from the war on drugs. The Alliance’s Office of Legal Affairs, based in Berkeley, California, pursues these goals nationwide through impact litigation, legislative drafting for local and state bodies, and advocacy on behalf of public health interventions that address the problems associated with substance abuse at the individual, family and community levels. For more information, visit www.drugpolicy.org.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Legal research memorandum that addresses the following questions: What state and federal laws provide protection against discrimination on the basis of drug use and/or criminal offender status? More specifically, are there any state and/or federal laws that protect these categories of individuals against discrimination in the areas of fair housing, employment, public benefits access, and other areas? How do these laws interact with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act? What are some legal and policy recommendations for the state of New Mexico to consider in adopting legislation that would protect against discrimination on the basis of drug use and/or criminal offender status?
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE):Office of Legal Affairs, in conjunction with our New Mexico Policy Office in Santa Fe.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 2-3 months
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law. Labor & Employment Law (preferred but not required)
APPLICATION PROCESS if any: Please email cover letter and resume to Daniel Robelo, Research Assistant, at: drobelo@drugpolicy.org.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 15.
PROJECT DEADLINE: Upon completion. ___________________________________________
4a. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission New York District Office - Legal Unit
ADDRESS: 33 Whitehall St., 5th Floor New York, NY 10004-2112 CONTACT PERSON: Judy Keenan, Supervisory Trial Attorney PHONE: 212.336.3705 EMAIL: judy.keenan@eeoc.gov WEBSITE: www.eeoc.gov PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): email or phone
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": To eradicate unlawful employment discrimination
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Research and draft paper for CLE presentation on Pay Equity Claims in Higher Education; update on case law under Equal Pay Act, Title VII, Age Discrimination in Employment Act and other laws; research on how courts have been applying Supreme Court decision in Ledbetter
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): Can be done at EEOC office or remotely ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 35 hours NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1 QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY (e.g. languages, courses taken, previous work experience, 1L/2L/3L, LLM): Strong legal research and writing abilities; interest in the topic; support of EEOC’s mission
APPLICATION PROCESS if any (phone call, resume, cover letter, interview): email resume, cover letter and writing sample APPLICATION DEADLINE: none - open until filled PROJECT DEADLINE: April 4, 2008 ___________________________________________
4b.Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
ADDRESS: 33 Whitehall St., 5th floor, NY, NY 10004 CONTACT PERSON: Bob Rose, Supervisory Trial Attorney PHONE: 212.336.3708 EMAIL: Robert.rose@eeoc.gov WEBSITE: www.eeoc.gov PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": EEOC is responsible for enforcing the federal laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Legal research project with memo containing results. The subject is affirmative action remedies in the employment discrimination context. We would like a survey of cases on that topic, focusing on the Second Circuit, and the identification of trends and common factors in the legal analysis of those cases. PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE):
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 24-40 hours. NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY: Strong legal research and writing skills.
APPLICATION PROCESS if any : Submit short email explaining interest in project and attach resume. We will contact student for phone interview.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 12 PROJECT DEADLINE: March 21
ADDRESS: 33 Whitehall St., 5th floor, NY, NY 10004 CONTACT PERSON: Bob Rose, Supervisory Trial Attorney PHONE: 212.336.3708 EMAIL: Robert.rose@eeoc.gov WEBSITE: www.eeoc.gov PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": EEOC is responsible for enforcing the federal laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Legal research project with memo containing results. The subject is employment discrimination cases concerning discriminatory recruitment practices by employers. We would like a survey of cases on that topic, focusing on the Second Circuit, and the identification of trends and common factors in the legal analysis of those cases.
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 24-40 hours. NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1 QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY: Strong legal research and writing skills.
APPLICATION PROCESS if any : Submit short email explaining interest in project and attach resume. We will contact student for phone interview. APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 12 PROJECT DEADLINE: March 21
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5. HIV Law Project, Center for Women & HIV Advocacy
ADDRESS: 15 MAIDEN LANE, 18TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10038 CONTACT PERSON: Alison Yager PHONE: 212.577.3001 ext. 239 EMAIL: ayager@hivlawproject.org WEBSITE: : www.hivlawproject.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": Through innovative legal services and advocacy programs, the HIV Law Project fights for the rights of the most underserved people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). The Center for Women & HIV Advocacy is a dedicated project aimed at developing a strong national movement among HIV+ women, including the growing number of immigrants within it, in order to shape the future of HIV policy for women in the United States. Specifically, the Center’s objectives include leadership and capacity building, policy analysis and education, and building local, state and national advocacy campaigns by and for HIV+ women.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Research policy issues, legislative initiatives, legislation and regulations on issues of concern to infected and affected women; Assist with researching and writing policy memoranda, report; Assist in drafting position statements and advocacy documents for advocates, policy makers and legislators; Synthesize policy issues for a lay audience.
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): Can work remotely.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: Scope and length of work product can be tailored to student availability.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 2
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY:
APPLICATION PROCESS: phone call, resume, cover letter
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: These two projects can be taken on jointly or separately.
1. Global Overview of Legal Protections for Domestic Workers This project involves compiling information on labor and immigration regulations affecting domestic workers, including migrant domestic workers. This includes identifying countries where domestic workers are completely excluded from labor laws, and creating a database of existing legislation that extend partial or equal protection to domestic workers.Depending on the number of students and the time available, the first phase will focus on Asia and the Middle East. If these regions are completed, we will expand to Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
In coordination with me, the student can choose an aspect to focus on in more detail given her or his interests - for example, a memo on any examples of how countries have handled workers' compensation for domestic workers in case of work-related injuries or drafting model provisions that can be recommended to governments. Another example is studying immigration provisions in Asia and the Middle East that specifically forbid migrant domestic workers from exercising rights to marriage and to have children.
2. Analysis of court judgments on domestic servitude/forced labor/and domestic slavery.
This project involves writing a short memo that identifies relevant case law and analyzes interpretations of international law regarding slavery, forced labor, debt bondage, and servitude in reference to abuse against domestic workers. (e.g. the European Court of Human Rights, Siliadin v. France)
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): Location is flexible, and can be discussed with the student to take place offsite or at HRW.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: Flexible.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1-3.
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY: Interest in women's rights.
APPLICATION PROCESS if any: Please send a cover email about your interest and time availability for the project along with a copy of your resume.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: As soon as possible.
PROJECT DEADLINE: The second project should be completed by March 20, 2008. The first project's deadlines are flexible.
7. Lawhelp NY ADDRESS: 350 Broadway, NY, NY and City Bar Justice Center 42 West 44th Street, NY, NY CONTACT PERSON: Wilneida Negron PHONE: 646-442-3624 EMAIL: wnegron@lsny.org WEBSITE: www.lawhelp.org/ny PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email is fine
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": In 2001, the LawHelp Consortium, a group of legal services, advocacy and public interest organizations, launched LawHelp.org/NY, an online, legal-information clearinghouse that helps low-income New Yorkers find free legal services and get information about their legal rights.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: We are looking for Columbia students to do research and develop new LEP friendly resources on Immigration and Language Access issues for New Yorkers. Immigration concerns of interest are: deportation, citizenship and greencard applications, services to help immigrants integrate into society, immigration rights to healthcare and public benefits, just to name a few. We are hoping to develop a new Language Access topic on the site which will cover, Know Your Rights resources, listing of community resources, and relevant going to court information.
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): Most research can be done online ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 30 hours
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1-2
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY: Some background knowledge in immigration would be helpful.
APPLICATION PROCESS if any: Resume and phone call are sufficient
ADDRESS: 3000 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 500, Miami, FL 33137 CONTACT PERSON: Maria L. Soto, Deputy Director PHONE:305-438-2503 EMAIL: PositionApps@LSGMI.org WEBSITE: www.LSGMI.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": “To provide free civil legal services to low income residents of Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.”
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT - Legal Services of Greater Miami, in partnership with the Miami Workers Center works towards the preservation and creation of affordable housing in Miami-Dade County. The Project, through various strategies, addresses various issues surrounding the loss of affordable housing including expiration of federally subsidized properties, loss of affordability due to uninhabitable conditions, and market rate forces which cause a reduction in the amount of affordable housing available. Litigation strategies, organizational legal assistance, and transactional real estate skills utilized to achieve Project goals.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: On going
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY: 1L / 2L / 3L
APPLICATION PROCESS if any: Mail or Email resume and cover letter.
ADDRESS: 3000 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 500, Miami, FL 33137 CONTACT PERSON: Maria L. Soto, Deputy Director PHONE: 305-438-2503 EMAIL: PositionApps@LSGMI.org WEBSITE: www.LSGMI.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.):Email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": “To provide free civil legal services to low income residents of Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.”
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: DISABILITY LAW PROJECT - LSGMI’s Disability Law Project (DLP) assists individuals who have been denied Supplemental Security Income and Disability Insurance benefits by the Social Security Administration. Project work involves reviewing all documentation related to the individual’s impairment. If the case is accepted for representation, the DLP will further develop the case to prepare it to be assigned to a staff attorney for representation.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: On going
QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY: 1L / 2L / 3L
APPLICATION PROCESS if any: Mail or Email resume and cover letter.
ADDRESS: 350 Broadway CONTACT PERSON: Raun Rasmussen PHONE: 646-442-3590 EMAIL: rrasmussen@lsny.org WEBSITE: www.lsny.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): email is fine
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": Legal Services NYC is a network of legal assistance programs that makes access to the legal system a reality for low-income people throughout New York City who have no where else to turn.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: We are looking for Columbia students to do research for a report we are writing that describes the Legal Needs of Low Income New Yorkers, which we plan to publish this summer. Particularly, we would like a student or students to find, review and assess the literature (social science research, law reviews, etc.) that might be relevant in documenting the legal needs of low income families and individuals in NYC. There are, for example, numerous academics, policy analysts and city agencies that have studied the needs of low income families and individuals in New York City during the past five years. We would like a student to help us gather and review those studies to determine which will be most helpful. Students will not need to read the materials in depth unless they are particularly interested in doing so. They will, however, need to be able to present a short description of the materials they find and why they think those materials may or may not be helpful. We will provide some research direction, but students will easily find helpful studies that have already been done in NYC. The human needs areas we need to cover include housing, family, welfare, disability, education, employment, consumer, health, and immigration. Students could choose to work in one or several of these areas.
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): Most research can be done online ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: Approximately 10-20 hours per subject area.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 2-4 QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY: An interest in social and legal services would probably be helpful, but is not essential
APPLICATION PROCESS if any: Resume and phone call are sufficient
10. Lutheran Social Services of NY – French speaker needed
ADDRESS: 308 W 46th St, NY NY 10036 CONTACT PERSON: Ana Pottratz, Staff Attorney PHONE: (212) 265-1826 ext. 302 EMAIL: apottratz@lssny.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT: email Requirements: French speaking student!
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Lutheran Social Services of NY seeks a French speaking volunteer to assist in an asylum case involving a man from Burkina Faso seeking asylum. Duties of the student will include but are not limited to assisting staff of LSSNY with preparation of the I-589 application for asylum, translation of personal documents and country conditions materials from French to English, and preparation of the testimony of the client for the asylum interview.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: All interested students should contact Ana Pottratz via email at apottratz@lssny.org
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) uses the law to improve the lives of poor children. NCYL works to ensure that low-income children have the resources, support, and opportunities they need for a healthy and productive future. Much of NCYL's work is focused on poor children who are additionally challenged by abuse and neglect, disability, or other disadvantage.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Children in the foster care system often have significant unmet health needs. One reason medical services are delayed or denied is that courts, social workers, health care providers and others get confused about who has the right to consent to medical care on a dependent's behalf. Our organization is developing a manual to explain consent and confidentiality rules in this arena in order to facilitate access to health care. The work you do on this project will be incorporated into the manual. The project is to interpret a particular California statute that plays a critical role in determining who may consent for medical care on behalf of foster kids. The project will require research and writing, and we will ask you to complete a memo laying out your research and conclusions.
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): Can be completed anywhere. ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: approximately 15 hours, depending on your experience.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: 1 but if 2 students would like to do it as a team project, that is fine too. QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO DO THIS PROJECT, IF ANY: Preference for students with research and writing experience. Experience in children's law not necessary, but coursework or experience in statutory interpretation helpful.
APPLICATION PROCESS if any: Informal email with resume.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 15 PROJECT DEADLINE: ASAP but no later than April 15th.
12.Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP)
ADDRESS: 73 Spring Street, Suite 506, New York, NY 10012 CONTACT PERSON: Josh Zinner PHONE: 212-680-5100, x208 EMAIL: josh@nedap.org WEBSITE: www.nedap.org PREFERRED MODE OF CONTACT (phone, email, etc.): Email
ORGANIZATION'S "MISSION": NEDAP is a resource and advocacy center with a mission to promote community economic justice, and to eliminate discriminatory economic practices that harm communities and perpetuate inequality and poverty.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Consumer justice project to help research progressive changes in state financial services regulations as part of a state-wide initiative.
PROJECT LOCATION (IF OTHER THAN ABOVE): NEDAP’s office.
ESTIMATED TIME NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECT: 40 hours.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDED: One or two.
APPLICATION PROCESS if any: Please send resume and brief cover letter by email.
