If you are a student interested in public service legal work, please apply for a subsidized trip to one of the following public interest networking events in Seattle:
1.) Goldmark Luncheon and Award Ceremony: Coordinated by the Legal Foundation of Washington, this event will be held Friday, February 26. (Visit here for more information.) In the morning, Gonzaga students will have the opportunity to job shadow a public interest lawyer (set up through CLEAR). After the luncheon, students will attend a mini-conference and reception sponsored by Foster Pepper. Gonzaga will pay transportation for three students.
2.) Civil Legal Representation and Access to Justice Conference/CLE: Coordinated by Seattle University, this symposium and CLE Program will be held Friday, February 19. (Visit here for more information.) Gonzaga students will have the opportunity to attend discussions addressing the right to representation, how to address unmet needs, overcoming special access barriers, and more. The event includes a luncheon as well as a keynote address from Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court Barbara Madsen, a graduate of Gonzaga Law School. The law school will pay transportation and registration for two students.
Application Process: Please attach your resume and a short statement (3-4 sentences) describing why you would like to attend either the Goldmark Luncheon or the Civil Legal Representation symposium. You may apply to attend both events, but please indicate which of the two events you most prefer to attend. Applications should be sent to Matt Serres, mserres@lawschool.gonzaga.edu, and will be reviewed by law school faculty. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, January 22nd.
The International Law Society, Gonzaga Law Review and Amnesty International are co-sponsoring a Haiti Relief Fundraiser from January 19 – 22 in the Law School Foyer. The groups will be collecting money from 8am to 5pm each day to benefit victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the Caribbean country on January 12. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross.
The Gonzaga Hispanic Law Caucus marched with other Spokane community organizations at the annual Unity March in downtown Spokane on MLK Jr. Day. The march commemorated Dr. King and his efforts towards nonviolent activism during the civil rights movement.
The event began as a local pastor read Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the INB Performing Arts Center and was followed by the march to River Park Square where local performers and school children sang and danced.
Read the full text of Dr. King’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail”
Back in November, we first told you about the Northwest Public Interest Career Fair. With the second semester already upon us, now is the time to plan your summer internship and to register for this important event. If you are interested in government or public interest, you should plan to attend the Career Fairs in Seattle on Friday, February 5, 2010 or in Portland on Saturday, February 6, 2010. Complete details about the Career Fairs and the employers that are participating are available online at www.nwpifair.org (Please note – You may view the list of employers on the website prior to paying your registration fee.)
Registration fees are $15 for one location, or $25 for both locations. Many of the participating employers are recruiting for law clerks and/or attorneys and will be conducting interviews at either Career Fair, or will schedule interview for a later date at their office. To be considered for an interview, you must register for the Career Fair, as well as submit a cover letter and resume (for each employer you wish to apply to) by 11:59pm January 18th. Complete details about the application process is available on the website. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email pifair@lclark.edu or jgill@lawschool.gonzaga.edu.
On November 19, the Alliance for Social Justice, Gonzaga Chapter of the ACLU, William O. Douglas Committee, and Thomas More Program sponsored a visit by Mary Beth Tinker to Spokane. In her visit to Gonzaga Law School, Mary Beth Tinker addressed not only the student free speech issues and personal experiences with Tinker v. Des Moines, but also the broader issue of fundamental rights of children globally. She argued that the issue of student free speech is only part of a much larger policy discussion of children rights highlighting concerns such as lagging high school graduation rates, child abuse, and ongoing child labor concerns.
Ms. Tinker also expressed concern with regard to the current approach of the Supreme Court evidenced by decisions such as Morse, in which the Court upheld Juneau school district’s decision to suspend a student for holding a banner reading “Bong Hits for Jesus” during the Olympic Torch relay, and Hazelwood, in which the Court permitted school’s to censor student publications. She emphasized that even the youngest citizens have meaningful insights and perspectives to contribute to the marketplace of ideas. She also brought her inspiring message directly to Spokane’s youth with visits to both Rogers High School and Lewis and Clark High School.
Those interested in learning more about Mary Beth Tinker and the circumstances of her landmark Supreme Court case should pick up John W. Johnson’s The Struggle for Student Rights: Tinker v. Des Moines and the 1960s. It contains the whole factual background of the case (based on interviews with Tinker, her family members, and others involved) and covers the progress of the lawsuit through the courts to the Supreme Court. The book also explores the impact of the decision going forward after the decision in Tinker.
Amnesty International’s Global Write-a-Thon was a huge success. The Write-a-Thon works to apply political pressure on countries who are currently detaining human rights defenders or prisoners of conscious in prisons around the world, where they are often beaten, raped and tortured.
Thanks to the efforts of Gonzaga law students, the school’s Amnesty International chapter was able to double the amount of letters pledged. The Write-a-Thon also helped mark International Human Rights Day held December 10.
Thanks to the Adopt-a-Child/Family Program donation drive run by the Student Organization for Victim’s Advocacy (SOVA) and the Child Advocacy Association (CHAD), Gonzaga law school students and faculty sponsored 18 children and 5 families this holiday season. The efforts by SOVA and CHAD also included donations for Toys for Tots.
Amnesty International will have a table set-up in the main foyer of the law school on November 23, 24, and 30 as well as December 1 and 2 to support Amnesty’s Global Write-A-Thon. Promote freedom and human rights by stopping by their table and participating in the world’s largest letter writing event. Using the proven power of writing letters, you can pressure authorities to release those who have been unjustly imprisoned and to stop the torture and abuse of others. Show your support for human rights!
The J. Reuben Clark Law Society will have its next Friday Forum this Friday, November 20, at 12pm at the LDS Institute. The speaker will be Keith Glanzer, an alumnus from our law school. To get to the LDS Institute, go to the Schade Towers (located on the other side of the river and on the other side of Spokane Falls Blvd). The building will be the tall building with the large blue sign saying “Schade Towers.” Go into the building and keep walking until you see stairs leading to the basement. Go down the stairs and follow the signs to the LDS Institute. Home-made lunch will be provided!
Beginning November 18, the Student Organization for Victim’s Advocacy (SOVA) and the Child Advocacy Association (CHAD) will be in the law school lobby to recruit individuals for their “Adopt-a-Child Christmas Project.” Stop by and pledge to adopt a needy Spokane child Nov. 18-20. Pick up an outfit and a toy for your child. Bring donations after Thanksgiving on Monday, November 30 through Wednesday, December 2. If you have any questions, contact Kaydee Snipes at ksnipes@lawschool.gonzaga.edu