Journeys for Justice
Columbia Law School Students Are Traveling to Points Across the Country and World as Part of Social Justice Initiative's Annual Spring Break Pro Bono Caravans.
New York, March 13, 2014—Promoting human rights in Myanmar. Fighting for the right to education in South Africa. Informing citizens about how to litigate environmental cases in the heart of Appalachia’s extractive industries. These are just a few of the pro bono projects Columbia Law School students will be joining public interest lawyers to tackle next week during spring break.
The “Spring Break Pro Bono Caravans” program is offered through the Law School’s Social Justice Initiatives (SJI). Each year, SJI helps arrange the caravans to connect student volunteers with opportunities to make a difference. Student groups ranging from the Columbia Society of International Law to the Black Law Students Association and the Society for Immigrant and Refugee Rights will work with nonprofit organizations around the country and world to provide consultation and legal assistance to marginalized communities.
“The caravans program is popular with students because it gives them the opportunity to experience how satisfying, necessary and, often, fun, pro bono work can be," said Ellen P. Chapnick, dean of SJI. "It also spurs a deep personal commitment to the professional obligation lawyers have to put their education and time to good use on behalf of underserved individuals, communities and issues."