The holidays are upon us and the year is coming to a close.  Let’s take a few moments to reflect on being a public interest lawyer in 2009. Take a look at Seth Godin’s “What Matters Now” and think about what matters now for you, an attorney who has spent the past year helping clients find solutions, fight injustices and overcome obstacles that seemed impossible – let’s face it, even to you, at first – until you put your heart and soul into it. Here’s our take on some of the concepts in Seth’s book.

• Confidence (see page 54): you are a leader. Band with the people around you and encourage each other. Talk to others working on issues you care about and share your solutions. Most likely, your solution is innovative and could help hundreds of your peers address more clients’ needs. Take a look at Equal Justice Works’ leadership principles as you think about applying these concepts to your own work.
• Ease (see page 11): take some time for yourself. Set boundaries. Yes, your clients need you. But the more time you pour into your work, the more likely that you’ll have a burnout. Listen to what Christine Khalili-Borna has to say about workplace fatigue and how to over-come it.
• Dignity (see page 8): treat each other with respect. Demand it from others. Have you ever heard someone suggest that a legal services attorney isn’t as good as someone working in a firm? You know it’s baloney – and so do your friends, family, peers and, especially, clients. And there are dozens of firms who think more of you for working in public service.
• Meaning (see page 10): find meaning in your work every day. What inspires you? Take ownership of your experience at the office and at home. If you’re not happy with something, you have the power to change it.
• Get connected (see page 12): tap into the network of legal services attorneys across the country. There’s power in numbers. Build your community and stay in touch. Get started here, here or here.

There are many more tips in Seth Godin’s book, but we wanted to share some thoughts as we ring in 2010. Have a safe and happy New Year.

- Cait Clarke, Ericka Hines & Aaron Pickering

In October, Equal Justice Works recognized three public interest law leaders for their commitments to service and low-income clients. The award winners – Scott Burrill, Larry Kramer and Bruce Sewell  – represent the hundreds of law students, law school deans and corporate counsel that make our work possible. Hear what they have to say about service, justice and getting involved in the cause.

-Aaron

The following is a guest post by Jennifer Ngai, an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow at Legal Aid DC. This post originally appeared here.

Legal Aid recently became a Community Partner with public broadcasting network WHUT Howard University Television as part of a nationwide programming initiative to increase awareness about the current mortgage crisis and to connect homeowners facing foreclosure with various trusted community resources.  On December 1^st, WHUT announced the launch of its new “Facing the Mortgage Crisis” website, connecting Washington, D.C. area residents with local Community Partners that provide mortgage- and foreclosure-related information and services, including Legal Aid, Homefree USA, Manna, Inc., HUD, and the Greater Washington Urban League.  The website also contains downloadable community fliers in English, Spanish, and Amharic.

Legal Aid began handling foreclosure prevention work in September 2008 with the launch of its Consumer Law Program headed by supervising attorney Wendy Weinberg.  Legal Aid recently expanded its foreclosure practice in October 2009 with the addition of Jen Ngai, an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Recovery Fellow.  Legal Aid assists low-income clients facing foreclosure by litigating cases involving mortgage-related fraud, negotiating with servicer banks to obtain mortgage modifications, and conducting related community education and outreach.  The partnership with WHUT will help get the word out about this important anti-foreclosure work.

I know so many friends, colleagues, students and lawyers that are always looking for ways to change the world – through public service, living responsibly and helping others.  They strive to have an impact, whether it is big or small, knowing that doing good today will benefit us all in the long run.

Libuse Binder, a writer, activist and former English teacher, has put together a list of 10 Ways to Change the World in your 20s in her new book.

Dig into what you love

Volunteer in ways big and small

Support political actions that reflect your values

Lead an eco-active lifestyle

Simplify and reduce your footprint

Use your buying power to encourage better business practices

Eat well locally

Host a party with a purpose

Explore the world through environmentally responsible travel

Turn your passion into a vocation

In the book, Libuse offers some ideas on how to turn your passion into a career. And that’s where Equal Justice Works comes in.

“If you are interested in an internship or job with a public interest group, Idealist is a good place to start your search,” Libuse writes.  “[And] If you are considering law school, Equal Justice Works publishes the Equal Justice Works Guide to Law Schools.”

Rachel Meeropol, an attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, got her start as an Equal Justice Works Fellow. She’s featured in the book and offers some advice on doing work you’re passionate about.

“There are so many ways to make a difference, and there is a role for all of us to play. Ask yourself, what do I want to do on a daily bais that is going to make me fulfilled and happy?”

More info is available at www.tenways.org.

-Aaron

On December 4, Albany Law School hosted a conference focused on the importance of setting and implementing measurable learning goals.

“Participants discussed both general trends in curriculum reform and specific ways to develop goals to measure student learning,”  Darlene Cardillo wrote.

Audio recordings for most sessions are available here.

-Aaron

It would take too long to update the blogroll, but I wanted to point out this great list I just discovered from Laws.com. They’ve compiled the “Top 50 Justice Blogs”, which is a really diverse collection of online media devoted to justice-related issues. Check out the full list at http://www.laws.com/top-50-justice-blogs.html and the top 10, below.

1. http://blog.simplejustice.us/
2. http://blogs.usdoj.gov/blog/
3. http://www.identitytheory.com/ sjblog/
4. http://www.paulsjusticeblog. com/
5. http://blog.ijdh.org/
6. http://emu.edu/blog/ restorative-justice/
7. http://equaljusticeworks. wordpress.com/
8. http://www.insidejustice.com/ law/
9. http://www.brennancenter.org/ blog/
10. http://www.nyciviljusticeblog. com/

There are many, many more, but this is a great start. Many thanks to Laws.com for this list!

-Aaron

Vote for justice! Here’s the chance to help fight homelessness, prevent foreclosure, protect immigrants’ rights – to battle injustices across the country. See what public interest lawyers (nonprofit attorneys) can accomplish with funding and support from Equal Justice Works.

You’ve read all about the 160 attorneys working in the field now on some of the most pressing issues facing poor communities – foreclosure, homelessness, access to health care. Now’s the time to join us and support our efforts to ensure justice for everyone.

This post was written by Debra Reh, Program Assistant for the Office of Career Services. It originally appeared on the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law blog.

On October 24th and 25th a group of ten students from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law attended the Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair in Washington, DC.  Ten students, seven third-years and three second-years ventured to the nation’s capital in order to explore Public Interest opportunities. This was the first time that any of our students attended…

Some of the students had specific goals.  Jessica Kingley, a third-year student, knew that she wanted to meet with the New York District County Attorney’s Office as well as Public Service people from New York City and turn it into a job.  Guion Johnstone, a second-year student, attended with four actual interviews scheduled.  Rexena Napier and Melissa McHendrix, both third-year students and both interested in animal law, knew that there wouldn’t be any employers dedicated to solely animal law, but viewed the conference as a way to learn about other related opportunities.  Victor Revill, a third-year student and president of the SBA, knew ahead of time that his approximately “five minute introduction speech” needed to be well-rehearsed and fine tuned for each prospective employer.

All of the students were committed to public service work prior to attending the conference.  Jamie Izlar, a second-year student, worked in a public interest position before attending law school.  Her work involved working with indigent, undocumented immigrants.  Colleen Hagan, a third-year student said that the rewarding part of going to such a big conference with so many attendees is that the students all are like-minded and want to be part of a greater good.  Students felt encouraged to see so many employers who focus on public service.

Besides the career fair and Table Talk sessions, students attended workshops, sessions, discussions and had the privilege of hearing Ralph Nader speak.  Samantha Thomas, a second-year student, attended a government workshop which supplied her with tips (call specific government agencies, keep applying and find a niche).  Jamie Izlar attended a resume building session which she found extremely helpful and also attended several discussions where she learned which employers will pay for law school student loans.  Rexena Napier attended a workshop that gave her a lot of ideas including applying for grants.

All of the students who attended felt it was worthwhile to attend and felt a deeper sense of commitment to public service.  Duffy Trager came away with connections and a lot of business cards that he intends to follow up with.  Samantha Thomas plans to capitalize on what she observed at the conference and use it to shape what she does in law school.  Melissa McHendrix said that the most worthwhile aspect of the conference for her was meeting other students and discussing what organizations are non-profit and in the public sector…

For the complete article, visit http://www.law.louisville.edu/node/4101.

-Aaron

Equal Justice Works sends 160 attorneys into field to fight social justice issues

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This is a guest post from Equal Justice Works Alumna Kate Greenwood. It was first published at Health Reform Watch, a publication of Seton Hall Law School, and also appeared on the Health Care Blog. 

The FDA has been widely criticized for not providing guidance for drug companies eager to promote their products on the internet.  Earlier this year, the FDA expressed the view that the message was what was important, not the medium, meaning that companies should simply apply the rules governing prescription drug advertising in print media to the internet.  On April 2, 2009 the agency issued Notice of Violation letters to 14 companies who sponsored links on internet search engines advertising their products; the links gave the name of the drug and, in some cases, its indicated use, without including the required “fair balance,” i.e., safety information such as contraindications and potential side effects.  In reliance on the so-called “one-click rule” — which had never actually been adopted by the FDA — the companies had put the required safety information one click away on a separate page.

In recent months, the FDA has indicated that it is open to providing internet-specific marketing guidance.  Yesterday and today (November 13^th) the agency is holding a hearing on “Promotion of FDA–Regulated Medical Products Using the Internet and Social Media Tools.”  Representatives from advertising agencies, consumer groups, health-related websites, pharmaceutical companies, and search engines are scheduled to testify.

In written testimony released before the hearing, PhRMA, the pharmaceutical industry’s trade group, proposed that the FDA approve a standard universal warning: PhRMA suggests “All drugs have risks.  Click here for more information from the manufacturer.” — for use “in places throughout the Web where there is not enough room for complete disclosure of all warnings, indications, and contraindications (e.g., search results and microblog posts.)”  Such a warning would, PhRMA argues, allow companies to take advantage of sponsored links, make full use of Twitter, etcetera, while also providing easy access to safety information.  PhRMA even suggests that the warning incorporate the FDA’s logo, arguing that this could mitigate against “the dangers posed by illegal Internet drug sellers.”

It will be interesting to see whether and how the proposals of the other groups represented at the hearing differ from PhRMA’s, and, of course, whether the FDA in the end decides that its “fair balance” requirements should be modified for the web.  Among the other interesting issues FDA may address is companies’ responsibility for web content they do not control.  Google’s introduction of Sidewiki, which allows anyone visiting a pharmaceutical company’s website to leave a comment, has brought this issue to the fore, raising, for example, the prospect of doctors discussing a product’s off-label uses on the manufacturer’s site.

Anyone who wishes to comment on these or other internet-specific promotion issues may do so through February 28, 2010.