Public Service News

SPARER SYMPOSIUM

The Annual Edward V. Sparer Symposium, Judicial Responses to International Violence, on Thursday, March 22nd, 2007 featured presentations by renowned human rights leaders who explore a wide range of substantive themes, including domestic prosecutions of crimes under universal jurisdiction; responses to the use of children in armed conflict; and potential domestic judicial remedies for victims of torture. Juan Mendez, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and President of the International Center for Transitional Justice, was the keynote speaker. For more information on the conference, please click here.

MARSHALL-BRENNAN CONSTITUTIONAL LITERACY PROGRAM HOSTS SECOND ANNUAL COMPETITION ON FEBRUARY 23

The Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project culminated in a day-long moot court competition for over 50 Philadelphia high school students. Students argued a mock Fourth Amendment case before the Honorable Dolores Sloviter, the Honorable Juan Sanchez, and the Honorable Theodore McKee.  Four finalists participated in a nationwide competition in Washington, DC in April 2007.  The Marshall-Brennan Project strives to raise the constitutional awareness of high school students and their teachers as well as to renew a sense of democratic citizenship among Philadelphia inner-city high school students.

JOURNAL OF LAW AND SOCIAL CHANGE LAUNCHED WITH PANEL ON THE FUTURE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

The Journal of Law and Social Change (JLASC) celebrated its establishment as Penn Law’s fifth official journal with a panel discussion on the future state of civil rights in America and the role of lawyers and activists in shaping this essential movement. The discussion was moderated by Professor Rudovsky and featured panelists Susan Burke of Burke Pyle, LLC; Mary Catherine Roper of the Philadelphia ACLU; Prof. Regina Austin; and Chandra Bhatnagar, of the ACLU’s Human Rights Working Group.
The Journal of Law and Social Change, formerly HYBRID, was founded in 1993 by a group of progressive Penn Law students who saw the importance of a journal with a focus on public interest law. Since its founding, JLASC has provided a forum for practitioners and academics to critically examine mainstream discourse, publishing multi-disciplinary scholarly works that present thoughtful analysis of current social issues with implications beyond the legal community.

INTERNATIONAL LAW ORGANIZATIONS HOSTED SPRING BREAK TRIP TO EL SALVADOR March 2- March 11

The International Law Organization (ILO) and the IHRA organized a pro bono spring break project in El Salvador under the guidance of Attorney Thomas Roddy Hughes, a founding member of the Institute for Environmental Research and Advocacy (IPA), and a legal consultant for the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). The primary objective of the program was to provide students with the opportunity to engage the El Salvadoran community on important issues pertaining to public participation and democracy. Specifically, students will seek to assist citizens in playing a more active role in addressing the environmental, social, and economic issues they face.

EQUAL JUSTICE FOUNDATION SENDS DELEGATION TO NEW ORLEANS

The Equal Justice Foundation will led a delegation of 29 law students on a spring break pro bono trip to New Orleans. Students worked on a wide range of projects in including the New Orleans Advocacy Center, New Orleans Legal Assistance Center, Gert Town Revival Initiative, New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice, and the Orleans Parish Public Defenders office. Penn Law students worked through the Student Hurricane Network through which law students and faculty from across the country provide pro bono assistance in rebuilding communities affected by Katrina.

Equal Foundation Auction - February 22, 2007

The 2007 Equal Justice Foundation raised nearly $47,000 and was one of the most successful auctions in EJF's history! All proceeds were used to award grants to students pursuing unpaid legal internships at non-profits this past summer.