Law students to be admitted – without taking LSAT September 30, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in law school, legal education.Tags: legal education, LSAT, University of Michigan Law School, Wolverine Scholars
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A new program at the University of Michigan Law School, the Wolverine Scholars Program, launches in 2010 with the goal of attracting more students from the school’s home state. The school does not consider LSAT scores for applicants to this program. In fact, according to the Legal Profession Blog, a requirement is that applicants can not have taken the LSAT.
According to its website, the Wolverine Scholars program is looking for “highly intelligent people who welcome challenging experiences, who have demonstrated leadership and community service, who have shown determination and discipline, who are eager to outdo themselves, and who are creative and resilient in dealing with adversity.” Graduates of the University of Michigan with a GPA of 3.8 or higher are encouraged to apply.
Inside Higher Education published this news story today with the headline, “A Crack in the Dominance of the LSAT?”
Stimulus package to help Legal Services Corporation provide assistance September 29, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in public interest, public interest law.Tags: foreclosure, Harry Reid, Legal Services Corporation, Politico, Robert Byrd, stimulus package
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A $56.2 billion stimulus package was announced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) on Thursday, which includes Help for Families Facing Foreclosure. The stimulus provides $37.5 million for the Legal Services Corporation to provide legal assistance to families whose homes are in foreclosure. For more information, check out the CRYPT on Politico.com: http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0908/Second_stimulus_announced.html
UPDATE: Public Service Loan Forgiveness under CCRAA is not taxable September 26, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in loan forgiveness.Tags: CCRAA, college cost reduction and access act, IRS ruling, public service loan forgiveness
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Great news for law students planning on receiving loan forgiveness for public service: loan forgiveness under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act is not taxable! Today, the U.S. Department of Treasury confirmed that public service loan forgiveness under the CCRAA meets the requirements of Code Sec. 108(f) and is not taxable. Visit http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/resource/ccraa for more information.
Pro bono and the Washington legal community September 25, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in pro bono, public interest, public interest law.Tags: David Stern, Greatest Washington lawyers, Legal Times, Legal Times awards, pro bono, Washington legal community
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At an awards gala last night, the Legal Times honored the 90 greatest Washington lawyers of the past 30 years. As a “champion”, Equal Justice Works’ Chief Executive Officer David Stern was recognized for doing his part to uphold the “profession’s core values of public duty and client service…and fighting to expand liberties and protect civil rights.” David speaks about pro bono commitment and the Washington legal community in these three video clips, which recognize each group of honorees.
See the Legal Times blog post about the event: http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2008/09/legal-times-30t.html
Student bloggers needed for idealist.org project September 19, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in Uncategorized.Tags: idealist.org, Action Without Borders, student bloggers, student blog
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Action Without Borders is looking for graduate student bloggers to participate in a new project on idealist.org. In fall 2008, Idealist will link its Public Service Graduate Education Resource Center (www.idealist.org/psgerc) to bloggers who take on grad school.
Equal Justice Works will be participating in this new resource. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://www.idealist.org/en/volunteeropportunity/154254-46
Entry-level legal services lawyers earn $40k, survey says September 18, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in loan forgiveness, public interest, public interest law.Tags: attorney salary report, debt relief, loan forgiveness, LRAP, NALP, public service employment
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The 2008 Public Sector and Public Interest Attorney Salary Report by the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) shows that “the median entry-level salary for an attorney at a civil legal services
organization is $40,000.” The report, which summarizes the findings of a survey completed by over 650 public interest organizations, shows the enormous gap between this salary and the estimated $160,000 starting salary of associates at big firms.
The report provides other figures, such as salaries for experienced civil legal service attorneys, public defenders and others. Click here for the NALP press release.
New legislation promises to assist attorneys working in public interest law, from income-based repayment to loan forgiveness – but much work remains to be done. Visit the Equal Justice Works resource page for information on loan forgiveness for public service employment and see our previous posts on debt relief.
Law student wins $10,000 for video on public interest vs. law firm September 17, 2008
Posted by equaljusticeworks in law school, legal education, public interest law.Tags: Access Group, law school summer, One Less Worry Contest, Steven Luther, Summer Corps
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The Access Group has awarded $10,000 to Steven Luther, a law student who won the “One Less Worry Contest.” Luther’s video might make you laugh out loud, but it raises valid concerns that thousands of law students have each year. Should you take an offer from a big law firm or spend the summer working in public interest for an issue you care deeply about?
Each summer, 350 law students make the commitment to social justice by joining the Equal Justice Works Summer Corps program. They work at nonprofit legal aid organizations across the country serving underrepresented individuals, communities and causes.
For more information on the contest, visit: http://www.youtube.com/OneLessWorry.
