Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Post

What explains the dearth of public interest attorneys? To answer that question, Equal Justice Works partnered with the Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) to identify blind spots in supporting future public interest lawyers and quantify just how accessible information about pursuing public interest law is for law students. We found that only 44% of participating schools provide funding for public interest internships, and an even smaller percentage of schools, 38%, employ public interest career advisors. These results illustrate that our legal community has a crucial opportunity to build or strengthen support for new public interest lawyers -- from law school engagement and advocacy and beyond. As Equal Justice Works CEO Verna Williams writes, "When millions of people in the United States cannot access legal assistance to avoid eviction, maintain custody of their children, or escape an abusive partner, we need an all-hands-on deck solution. Every part of the legal profession must focus on this crisis." https://lnkd.in/eh2s7tZa

Check out Drexel University's Thomas R. Kline School of Law's summer immersion program for people from underrepresented backgrounds. It's FREE and runs on Zoom with an option to attend an in-person networking event. There are so many reasons you might consider a program like this - gather information, build a network, create connections. Apply today! #FutureLawyer #Pipelineprograms #Prepare #BlackLawyersMatter #PreLaw #PreLawCollaborative

🇮🇳 Happy Republic Day! Inspiring Law Students & Advocates 🇮🇳 As we celebrate the spirit of our nation on this historic day, it's a moment to reflect on the enduring principles that shape our democracy and legal system. For law students and advocates, this is not just a day of festivities but a reminder of our collective responsibility to uphold justice, equality, and the rule of law. Our Constitution stands as a beacon of hope and progress, guaranteeing fundamental rights to every citizen. As future legal professionals, let's commit ourselves to defending these rights and ensuring that justice is accessible to all, irrespective of caste, creed, or socio-economic status. The legal profession offers a unique platform to advocate for marginalized communities and bring about positive social change. Let's use our legal expertise to challenge injustices, fight against discrimination, and strive for a more inclusive society where everyone's rights are respected. As aspiring lawyers, we have a duty to constantly learn and grow. Let's embrace opportunities for legal education, whether through internships, seminars, or pro bono work, to deepen our understanding of the law and enhance our skills as advocates for justice. In a profession built on trust and integrity, let's hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards. Upholding honesty, integrity, and professionalism not only strengthens our own credibility but also contributes to the integrity of the legal system as a whole. As we embark on our legal careers, let's not forget to inspire and mentor the next generation of legal minds. By sharing our knowledge, experiences, and passion for the law, we can nurture a new generation of advocates committed to upholding the principles of justice and equality. On this Republic Day, let's recommit ourselves to the noble ideals enshrined in our Constitution and strive to build a society where the rule of law prevails and justice is accessible to all. #republicday #LegalProfession #JusticeForAll #RuleOfLaw #LawStudents #Advocates #LegalEthics #SocialJustice #constitution #lawyer #law #legal --- Feel free to adjust or add any specific details or anecdotes that you think would enhance the article!

As we continue to recognize the promising legal talent that we have with us at BG this summer, today’s Summer Associate Spotlight focuses on Mackenzie Gail Howe, a rising 2L at West Virginia University College of Law. Mackenzie is originally from Danville, Kentucky, and graduated with a B.S. in psychology from Centre College in Kentucky and worked for a year as a deputy clerk at the Kentucky Court of Appeals before starting law school. We hope you enjoy this Q&A with Mackenzie: Q: What’s your favorite quote that inspires you? A: My favorite quote is by Reba McEntire: “To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” It’s a great reminder to focus on my professional, academic, and personal goals without taking myself too seriously. Q: If stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you for entertainment? A: If I was stranded on a desert island, I'd bring my all-time favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. It’s a great comfort read! I’d listen to Tell Me I’m Pretty by Cage the Elephant or Bad Self Portraits by Lake Street Dive. My must-have films are The Secret Life of Walter Mitty or Dirty Dancing, my two favorites growing up. Q: What is something that you’ve learned while you’ve been at BG this summer? A: One thing that I will take away from my summer at BG is the power of concise writing and organization. Effective communication is key! Additionally, I am coming away with a deeper appreciation for mentorship and lifelong learning. It is so inspiring to work with people who are always committed to learning or teaching something new. Q: Last but not least, what kind of law are you most drawn to practicing at this time in your legal studies? A: Right now, I am most interested in mass torts, commercial and environmental litigation, and appellate practice. Thank you for joining our community this summer and contributing to our work, Mackenzie! #summerassociate #summer #wvucollegeoflaw #wvu #thankyou #community

Some great advice with the onset of exam season right around the corner!! " My advice to future students is to utilize your resources and prioritize your grades . . . during your first year. Law school is your opportunity to put yourself on a path to a successful, lifelong career, so take your legal education seriously. Treat law school like a 9-to-5 job, and when it comes time to prepare for finals, remember one thing: a few months of hard work during your 1L year will put you years ahead in your legal career. Your first-year GPA may be the most determinative element of your job application and likely the first thing recruiters see. Great exam scores will unlock great job opportunities. Stay focused and study hard . . ."

Temple Law's 2023 graduates set a new highwater mark for job placement with exceptionally strong performance in law firm placement, public interest, and government jobs. Read more about how Temple launches students into career success. https://bit.ly/4aHfY9L

Meet So Yoon, a 3L at the University of Houston Law Center. Recently, she interned with U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew M. Edison and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and clerked at Fogler, Brar, O’Neil & Gray LLP. Here's a glimpse into her journey: Valuable Lesson Learned: Your first-year performance doesn't define your entire legal career. Favorite Memory: Collaborating with classmates. Reason to Select UHLC: The vibrant legal market in Houston and supportive professors. https://loom.ly/EnbO5e8 #HoustonLaw #LegalEducation #GoCoogs #WeAreHoustonLaw

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Over the past few weeks, I have seen a wave of summer law students starting at law firms. Now that most of the summer law student orientations are behind us, I thought it would be helpful to set out some recommendations for summer law students and lawyers that I hope will enhance the summer law student experience. Exploring Various Practice Areas Tip for Summer Law Students - Explore Different Areas: Take the opportunity to explore various practice areas. You might discover interests and strengths in areas you hadn't considered before. Take on responsibility and strive to exceed expectations in every task. Tip for Lawyers - Encourage Exploration: Encourage students to explore different practice areas and provide them with opportunities to do so. Value of Summering Tip for Summer Law Students - Realistic Expectations: Understand that not all work is created equal. Some work may offer valuable experience, while other work may not. Unfortunately, all work needs to get done. Tip for Lawyers - Provide Meaningful Work: Ensure that summer positions offer substantial and valuable work. Try to engage students in projects where they can learn and contribute meaningfully. Building Professional Relationships Tip for Summer Law Students - Network Actively: Take the initiative to build professional relationships within the firm. Seek mentorship, ask questions, and learn from experienced lawyers. Tip for Lawyers - Be Approachable: Make yourself available to summer students. Encourage them to ask questions and seek advice. #lawyers #lawstudents #lawfirms

Excited to share that the Center for Public Interest, Advocacy and Collaboration (CPIAC) at Northeastern University School of Law is organizing an initiative to connect Northeastern students with organizations seeking law student volunteers for pro bono projects. Unlike co-ops/ internships, these are short-term/ part-time projects that require limited but concentrated assistance from law students. The CPIAC team would love to hear from you! Do you have a research project you haven’t had time to complete? Do you have a short-term project that could use a dedicated law student’s attention? Do you want us to organize a group of law students for a community-based event, clinic, or day of service? NUSL students are talented, passionate advocates eager to get involved with real-world legal work. Complete this short survey if you have an upcoming project or idea for CPIAC's pro bono initiative: https://lnkd.in/evT_CEXv Learn more abt CPIAC here: https://lnkd.in/esArhKKr