2009–2010 Programs
Students volunteering with the Mississippi Center for Justice, Biloxi, MS, Justice Center Winter Break Trip, January 2009
The Justice Center promotes equal justice through lectures, conferences, community service and pro bono projects, clinical courses, and other events focused on public interest law. These programs bring together the law school community, judges, attorneys, and others working to increase access to justice.
In 2009–2010, the Justice Center will sponsor:
Conferences, Lectures and Presentations:
- Screening of "The Least of These," a film that explores one of the most controversial aspects of American immigration policy: family detention. Co-sponsored with the Immigration Clinic, Sept. 17, ‘09 (flyer, press release)
- Mitchell Katine, the original lawyer for petitioners in the ground-breaking case of Lawrence v. Texas, to speak at UT Law about the case and the future of gay marriage in the United States, Oct. 20, '09, 5-6pm,TNH 3.142, co-sponsored with OUTLaw (flyer)
- Pro Bono Launch Luncheon, celebrating national pro bono week and the start of UT Law's new pro bono program, Oct. 27, '09, noon-1:00pm (flyer)
- Balancing Cause Lawyering, public interest lawyers address how they manage the stress of their high volume, high stakes practices, Nov. 4, '09, 1-2 pm, in the Career Services Office interview suite, co-sponsored with the Career Services Office (flyer)
- Freeing the Innocent: The Exoneration of Claude Simmons by the Actual Innocence Clinic, featuring Prof. Tiffany Dowling, Nov. 19, '09, 5:30-7pm, Jeffers Courtroom, co-sponsored with the Criminal Law Association and the Actual Innocence Clinic
- “Lives in the Law,” Nina Perales, Southwest Regional Counsel, MALDEF, Nov. 10, '09, 11:30 and 12:30, Sheffield Room, co-sponsored with the Career Services Office (flyer)
- “Lives in the Law,” Robin Steinberg, Founder and Executive Director, The Bronx Defenders, Feb. 2, '10, 11:30 and 12:30, Sheffield Room, co-sponsored with the Career Services Office
- Building Your Financial House, a three part series on financing careers in public interest and government, co-sponsored with the Career Services Office, Feb. & Mar. '10
Community Service/Pro Bono Education:
- Public Service Initiative for First Year Students (orientation speaker, special classes on access to justice issues, and service projects), Fall ‘09
- Food Drive, in conjunction with the Office of Student Life and the Society Program, benefiting Caritas of Austin, Fall ‘09
- Helpers for Heroes— Texas Law Veterans Association Veterans Law Clinic
Volunteer attorneys, with the assistance of UT Law students, will provide free legal advice on civil matters to active duty service members, reservists, veterans and their immediate families (co-hosted with the Travis County Veterans Services Office), Oct. 2, '09 (flyer)
- Pro Bono Winter Break Trip, UT Law students and professors will travel to Rio Grande Valley to volunteer with organizations addressing the legal needs of low-income people in the area, Jan. ‘10
- Color of Justice, an educational program initiated by the National Association of Women Judges to introduce minority students to the many career options available in the law and judiciary and to present their annual scholarship, in the Eidman Courtroom, Feb. ‘10 (co-sponsored with the NAWJ and the Travis County Women Lawyers Association)
Curriculum:
Public Service Recognition:
- Reception for students and faculty to highlight public interest activities at the Law School, co-sponsored with the Career Services Office, Fall ‘09
Equal Justice Scholars
(l-r) Jordan Pollock, '12; Lawson Konvalinka, '11; Kyle Marie Stock, '10
Scholarships and Fellowships:
