O C T O B E R 1 2 , 2 0 2 0 V O L . 5 6 4 7 9 9 5 IN YOUR INTEREST Brooklyn Law School's Public Service Newsletter I N T H I S I S S U E This Week's Programs: SPRING AND SUMMER Tenants' Rights in NYC and NYS Wed., Oct. 14 12:45-1:45PM EST, Zoom INTERNSHIPS Hear from tenant organizers and tenants’ rights lawyers about NYC’s Right to Counsel, NYS’ recent changes to rent laws, how these POSTGRADUATE changes are affecting New Yorkers of all FELLOWSHIPS income levels, how COVID-19 has also affected NYC renters, and all the opportunities for law students and graduates to intern and work in this critical area! UPCOMING EVENTS Open House - The Legal Aid Society of NYC Thurs., Oct. 15, 12:45-1:45PM EST, Zoom Come learn about Legal Aid's diverse and 1L LEGAL SKILLS important work and job/internship SCHEDULE opportunities from attorneys with the Criminal, Civil, and Juvenile practices. PUBLIC SERVICE LAW CENTER PROGRAMS DROP-IN NEW YORK PRO BONO REQUIREMENT Q&A Monday, Oct. 19, 12:45-1:45PM EST, via Zoom Applying for bar admission in New York State and looking for ways to meet the 50-hour pro bono requirement? Drop by for advice about pro bono projects and other opportunities that suit your interests and schedule. THE THOUGHTFUL GOVERNMENT LAWYER Thursday, Nov. 12, 12:45-1:45 PM EST, via Zoom The work of New York City government agencies reaches into every area of life and has tremendous implications for racial and economic justice. Hear from attorneys with the New York City Commission on Human Rights, Law Department, Housing Authority, and Administration for Children's Services about how they’re thinking about these and other complex issues right now. SUMMER JOB FAIR OVERVIEW: THE INS AND OUTS OF THE PILC FAIR Monday, Nov. 16, 12:45-1:45 PM EST, via Zoom The Public Interest Legal Career (PILC) Fair, February 4-5 online this year, is attended by hundreds of government and nonprofit employers seeking summer interns and postgraduate hires. The PILC Fair is a huge source of summer internships for 1Ls and is not to be missed! In this program, learn how to successfully navigate the PILC Fair's website and online application system to maximize your chances for an interview. PILC FAIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Monday, Nov. 30, 12:45-1:45 PM EST, via Zoom Learn how to navigate the PILC Fair website and online application system. 2L/3L SPRING & 2L SUMMER INTERNSHIPS Many more on Symplicity! SPRING Public defense - New York County Defender Services (Symp. #54041) Employment/law enforcement - Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor (#54017) Civil rights - LatinoJustice PRLDEF (#54014) Direct services/elder law - Brooklyn Legal Services (#53987) Direct services/various civil (housing, consumer, benefits, family, immigration, health, etc.) - NYLAG (#53985) Government/housing/real estate - New York City Housing Authority (#54034) SUMMER Criminal prosecution - Brave Justice Summer 2021 Legal Fellowship - Queens District Attorney's Office - PAID! (#54068) Impact litigation/civil rights - Brennan Center for Justice (#54057 & #54063) Direct services/mental health/public benefits - Urban Justice Center, Mental Health Project (#54047) Government/litigation - New York City Law Department (#54036) Civil rights/movement lawyering - Center for Constitutional Rights (#54006-- more info on pg. 6) Community development/direct services/housing/immigration/workers' rights - TakeRoot Justice (#53976) Postgrad opportunities for 3Ls Fellowship bonanza! More on Symplicity Civil liberties Knight First Amendment Institute, Columbia University (NYC) (Symp. #54075) Reproductive justice William J. Brennan First If/When/How (various Amendment Fellowship, locations) (#54065) ACLU (NYC) (#54008) Transactional/nonprofit Immigration National Center on Immigrant Justice Philanthropy and the Law Corps (various (NYC) (#53657) locations) (#53973) (more info on pg. 8) Labor/employment SEIU Local 32BJ (NYC) (#54058) Norm Gleichman Fellowship, SEIU (DC) (#53979) FALL SCHEDULE 1L FRIDAY DAYTIME STUDENTS LEGAL 9:00-11:00 AM EST, via Zoom SKILLS 10/16 - Essay Exams SCHEDULE 10/23 - Multiple Choice Exams 10/30 - Short Answer Exams 11/06 - Outlining, Part 2 Focus workshops run during 11/13 - Bring Your Own Final the first hour of the workshop. Workshops will be actively 11/20 - Outlining, Part 3 trying out new exercises during 11/27 - NO WORKSHOP - this time. THANKSGIVING BREAK 12/04, 12/11 - Bring Your Own Free study hall runs during the Final remaining time. You may try out the exercises from the Additional Bring Your Own Final focus workshop during this Sessions will take place on 11/03, time, make up the first hour (if 11/10, 11/17, 12/01, and 12/15 from 4:45-6:45 PM EST, via Zoom you had class during it but still want to come), ask open questions, or work on your own projects. EVENING STUDENTS 8:00-9:00 PM EST, via Zoom We will automatically record all Focus Workshop sessions and 11/09 - Multiple Choice & Short make handouts available online Answer Exams on our Canvas page, so don’t 12/07 - Bring Your Own Final worry if you miss one. The workshops are run by Professor Dizon and Professor Cornish In Case You Missed It: Edward V. Sparer Public Interest Law Fellowship The Sparer Fellowship Program awards summer stipends to BLS students for work in public interest law. Check out our two recorded info sessions (click HERE for the 12:45pm session and HERE for the 5:00pm session) to hear from Summer 2020 Sparer Fellows about their summer internships, and learn about the application process and program. For more info and to apply, CLICK HERE. Send applications to Marva Skeene, Administrative Assistant to the Sparer Program, at [email protected] Application Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2020 Public Service Summer Internship Series for 1Ls Recommended for all 1Ls regardless of your planned career path - most of you will work in public service this summer Part 1: The Search What do we mean by "public service", and what does the summer internship search look like for 1Ls? Watch HERE. Part 2: Applications How do you craft a public service resume and cover letter? Watch HERE. 2L/3L Public Service Planning Meeting Advice for 2Ls and 3Ls interested in public service, covering programs like PipS and Pro Bono Scholars, the postgrad job search, fellowships, timelines, and application processes. Watch HERE. 2Ls/3Ls: 2021 Honorable Joel K. Asarch Elder Law and Special Needs Section Scholarship This $2,500 scholarship is for students interested in elder or disability rights. Students learn about important legislative developments, regulations, and case law impacting individuals who are elderly and disabled and help represent those clients. Open to 2Ls or 3Ls actively participating in an Elder Law Clinic at the school during the 2020-21 academic year OR participating in other efforts that demonstrate interest in the legal rights of the elderly or those with disabilities. Get more info and apply HERE. Application deadline: Friday, November 13, 2020 3LS: IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CORPS FELLOWSHIP Immigrant Justice Corps awards two-year Justice Fellowships to Immigrant Justice Corps awards 2-year Justice Fellowships to recent lraewce gnrat dlauwat egsr.a IJdCu tartaeins.s IfJeCll otwrasi nasn dfe pllaoiwrs st haenmd wpaitihr sl etahdeimng wnoitnh- prolefiat dleingagl nseornvi-cperso pfirto lveidgearls s aenrvdi coems pmrounviidtye brsa saendd o crgoamnimzautinointsy to bparsoevdid eo rimgamnigzraattiioonns l etoga pl rsoevrvidicee si.m Gmeti gmroarteio inf loe agnadl saeprpvliyc eHsE. RFEo.r more infomation and to apply, click HERE. Application deadline: Wednesday, October 28, 2020 2Ls: Center for Constitutional Rights Ella Baker Summer Internship Program CCR works with communities under threat to fight for justice through litigation, advocacy, and strategic communications. Interns gain practical litigation experience and sharpen their theoretical understanding of the relationship between social change, organizing and lawyering. Past interns have worked on cases involving solitary confinement, discriminatory policing practices, social and economic rights, immigrants’ rights, U.S. detention and targeted killing practices, universal jurisdiction over international human rights abuses, gender and LGBTI justice domestically and internationally. Get more info and apply HERE! 2L application deadline: Monday, October 19 at midnight (1Ls-- You'll be able to apply from December 1-December 30) Last chance to fill out the Census! The census will determine congressional representation, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding every year, and provide data that will impact communities for the next decade. Brooklyn's response rate is currently more than 10% below the Respond today! national average. NY voters--advocates recommend voting early in person if at all possible to ensure your vote is counted and minimize problems with absentee ballots! Early voting location and hours info here You can also still apply for an absentee ballot if you prefer--NYC voters can do so here Election Protection Opportunities Help ensure everyone can exercise their right to vote this November! Assist voters at the polls or answer phone calls with Election Protection, an initiative of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Spanish speakers: Help Spanish-speaking voters facing obstacles to cast their ballots, empower them to know their voting rights, and report and record potentially discriminatory actions with Cada Voto Cuenta PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD PRO BONO LOG REMINDER: Log your pro bono hours on 250-499 Public Service's Pro Bono Log. HOURS WHAT CAN I LOG? Hours worked during law school in internships at government agencies (NOT JUDGES) or nonprofit organizations, for PRO BONO AWARD credit, on a volunteer basis, or for a grant/stipend (e.g., the Public Service Grant, 500-999 Sparer Fellowship--BUT NOT for salary); all work for BLS pro bono projects; work in BLS HOURS clinics. WHY SHOULD I LOG? You will receive a BLS Public Service Award.