Presentation Transcript

1. Spring Break Pro Bono Trips2014

2. Trip Options 1) Voting Rights with Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (San Antonio, Texas) 2) Joint Use Project with Delta Directions/Harvard Mississippi Delta Project (Clarksdale, Mississippi) 3) Immigration Border Work with No More Deaths (Tucson, Arizona) 4) Local Boston-area pro bono projects (Boston and/or Cambridge, Massachusetts)
3. Voting Rights with MALDEF
4. Voting Rights with MALDEF MALDEF attempting to directly reverse the damage from Shelby County v. Holder. 1) Legal research, getting evidence and witnesses ready for redistricting case that could result in extending Voting Rights Act preclearance coverage in one of the most critical states for minority voters 2) State voter ID challenges to the US Election Assistance Commission May also be additional cases and client work active at the time.
5. Voting Rights with MALDEF Students to learn from San Antonio’s rich history of civil rights issues and the work that has been done establishing education, voting, and other rights for immigrant and minority communities.    Four or five students will be selected for this trip. More at www.maldef.org
6. Delta Directions/HLS Delta Project
7. Delta Directions/HLS Delta Project Clarksdale -Birthplace of the blues Delta region highest food insecurity and obesity rates in the country. Mississippi passed House Bill 540, which limits the liability of school districts for claims arising from the joint use of their facilities.  Goal to promote more recreational and sports activities for Mississippi children by facilitating greater use of school property. With HLS Delta Fellow Desta Reff -desta.reff@ssrc.msstate.edu
8. Delta Directions/HLS Delta Project Compile toolkit for Mississippi schools to implement joint use agreements with community organizations to use the school facilities during non-school hours.    Students will conduct research on joint use best practices, in person meetings and interviews with local school officials.  Students provide a short overview and training on joint use toolkit to local schools at end of the week.
9. Delta Directions/HLS Delta Project 4 law students Housing at Riverside Hotel - http://www.ratpackstlouis.com/riverside_hotel.htm Rental car(s) Optional night in Memphis Saturday before or after
10. No More Deaths
11. No More Deaths Mission is to end migrant deaths in the region of the US/Mexico border and provides humanitarian aid.   Published reports detailing treatment of detainees by Border Patrol.   Filed complaints with DHS’ Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and have collaborated with the ACLU of New Mexico’s Regional Center for Border Rights in documenting abuses.  
12. No More Deaths Specific student work to be determined, may not all be eligible for HLS pro bono credit Learn about U.S. laws and policies concerning border security and migration and legal boundaries of assisting migrants and providing humanitarian aid. With Emily Leung and Phil Torrey from HIRC Spanish language skills helpful, but not required. More at www.nomoredeaths.org
13. No More Deaths Up to 8 students  Rental SUV cars Hotels on weekend before/after Housing - floor space in a donated building in Tucson and/or sleeping outdoors in a camping-type environment: Bring own sleeping bag and ground pad. Desert temperatures, strenuous physical activity, and flexible daily schedules. Normal health and safety risks of camping in the Southwestern desert.
14. Boston/Cambridge Work with local nonprofit and legal services organizations TBD Could include working directly with clients, working in the courts, preparing know your rights materials, and legal research and writing.   No overnight or long-distance travel required. As many students as can be accommodated will be selected.
15. Legal Work All legal work is eligible for HLS pro bono credit Travel and training time not for pro bono credit Must work all days required by specific trip
16. Student Costs Students will pay for their own: ▪ food ▪ transportation to and from Boston airport ▪ baggage fees ▪ entertainment ▪ some airfare or travel - less than $250 depending on final number of students
17. Funding Students must book own flight (if applicable) Need volunteers to rent car and be reimbursed for car and gas (full amount) Hotels reimbursed or paid in advance by HLS $ Depends on number of final participants
18. Application Must submit interest form and resume by Wednesday, January 15 (on OCP website) Decisions announced by Friday, January 24 Selected students must commit by making airfare reservations soon after Decisions based on a final composition of students representing a range of class years, perspectives, skills, or experience relevant to project
19. Student Requirements: Attend group meeting before trip Reading material before trip Written evaluation upon your return Travel grant paperwork HLS Pro Bono paperwork
20. Keep In Mind You must be flexible You are going to help Volunteers needed to be a trip leader and help coordinate, be point of contact for placement Volunteers needed to rent cars (preferably over 25) and pay hotels on credit card if necessary
21. Questions? Contact: Lee Branson Mestre in Clinical and Pro Bono office WCC 3085, 495-5202, lbranson@law