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Learn About Unemployment Benefits Law & Help Those Who Have Lost Jobs

By on February 26th, 2013

Florida Legal Services, along with co-sponsor University of Miami School of Law HOPE Public Interest Resource Center, presents a free training on Unemployment Compensation on March 13, 2013, from 2:00 – 4:30 pm. The training is open to Dade County attorneys who agree to provide pro bono representation to a low-income individual seeking unemployment benefits.

When individuals lose their job through no fault of their own, they are eligible for unemployment compensation (renamed Reemployment Assistance (RA)). But there are many challenges facing eligible applicants to getting those benefits. And while employers often have representation, the former employees frequently have no legal guidance at all.

Attorneys who participate will be trained by substantive experts: staff attorneys at Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. and Florida Legal Services. The fundamentals of unemployment law will be covered. In addition, this training will focus on new procedural requirements that pose insurmountable barriers to many of the unemployed, such as having to apply only by Internet, provide an email address, and take an online skills assessment. In addition to the live training, valuable online resources will be made available to participants. And every volunteer will get access to ongoing consultation, as needed, throughout the handling of the referred case.

Register for this free training at this registration link.

If you have questions about the registration process, contact Kathy Grunewald, FLS Training Director. If you have questions about the training, contact Valory Greenfield, FLS Staff Attorney.

Free Training for CLE Credits (CLE application pending for 2.0 credits).

 

 

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Miami Law HOPE Public Interest Lecture Series Presents: Shahrzad Emami, Esquire

By on February 26th, 2013

Miami Law HOPE Public Interest Lecture Series presents Shahrzad Emami, Esquire. This event takes place on Thursday, February 28, 2013, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., in Room A-216B (above the CDO).

Shahrzad Emami serves as Affordable Housing Project Director at Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. in the Community Economic Development Practice Group. Ms. Emami primarily focuses her practice on the representation of non-profit developers and organizations that are developing or preserving affordable housing and community based facilities. She received her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and her J.D. and LL.M. in Real Property Development from the University of Miami School of Law. At Miami Law, she teaches Mortgage Law.

The Public Interest Lecture Series provides students with a unique opportunity to interact in a small-group setting with dynamic and accomplished alumni and faculty who have either dedicated themselves to public interest law or have made a commitment to pro bono work in their private practice and teaching careers. These informal roundtable luncheons are designed to allow students to share their aspirations, ask questions and learn about the myriad opportunities in public service and public interest law. For upcoming events, please email UM HOPE. 

Kindly RSVP here.

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HOPE News for the Week of February 25, 2013

By on February 26th, 2013

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, February 28th, 12:30-1:30PM, A-216B (above the CDO). Join the Public Interest Lecture Series for a roundtable luncheon with Shahrzad Emami, Affordable Housing Project Director, at Legal Services of Greater Miami. Please RSVP to UM HOPE.

Monday, March 4th, 12:30PM, Room 108. Please join us for a training session for a court observation project to examine the Three Minute Justice problem in County Court. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the three-minute justice issue where individuals are accepting pleas without contemplating or understanding the implications, as well as explore the client experience with the justice system. If interested in participating, email here.  

Saturday, March 16th, 10am-5pm, Main Library- 101 West Flagler Street. The Miami-Dade Public Library System is seeking volunteer tutors for Project L.E.A.D. (Literacy for Every Adult in Dade). This one-on-one tutoring session assists adults with basic reading and writing skills. For more information, click here. 

The Impact Conference @ Sustainatopia. is one of the world’s leading conferences for social, financial and environmental sustainability. This year, the Conference is designed for social entrepreneurs engaged in transformative ventures. The program brings together leaders from more than 50 countries, and is taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Center between April 17th and 19th. For more information, visit the website.

Featured Fellowships:

Florida Legal Services in midtown Miami needs a legal intern to administer its Reemployment Assistance Pro Bono Project starting February 2013. The individual will oversee outreach to unemployed individuals in the community, screen and interview clients, assess the merits of clients’ cases, provide advice to clients, and follow-up with assigned attorneys on the status of the cases. The job is anticipated to require a commitment of at least ten hours per week and will pay $15 per hour depending upon experience. For more information, contact UM HOPE. 

PILnet: The Global Network for Public Interest Law is pleased to invite applicants to the PILnet Fellowship for 2013-2014. PILnet will select lawyers for eight months of study and practical experience in New York City. The program, now in its sixteenth year, targets future leaders in various fields of public interest advocacy. For more info, visit the website.  

The George Washington University Law School is now accepting applications for its Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics’ graduate clinical fellowships for the academic years of 2013-15. Fellows obtain LL.M. degrees while examining and engaging in clinical legal education and public interest law. For more info, visit the website.  

The Turner Environmental Law Clinic is hiring a fellow for the 2013-2014 academic year. Law school graduates within three years of graduation (including 2013 graduates) are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by February 28th.

Harvard Legal Aid Bureau seeks 16 law students to serve as Summer Fellows, who will interact directly with clients, opposing parties, witnesses, and government agencies. Find out more here. Application instructions for HLAB: Please send (1) a resume, (2) a cover letter, (3) a writing sample, (4) a law school transcript, and (5) two references to Joshua Rovenger, Executive Director, Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, 23   Everett Street, First Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138 via email. The positions are unpaid, but visit our website to find out how you can qualify for a HOPE Fellowship.

Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti is accepting applications for a Legal Intern (Summer 2013) and a Legal Fellow (2013-2014) to work on legal and public advocacy seeking UN accountability for Haiti’s cholera epidemic. More information on these positions can be found here.

$300,000+ in Funding Available for CGI U 2013 Students! Turn your ideas into action by applying online for Clinton Global Initiative University.

Equal Justice Works: New application period for 2013 Summer Corps program. Applications accepted on a rolling basis beginning Tuesday, December 18, 2012 until Monday, March 18, 2013. See here for program details.

2013 Deborah T. Poritz Summer Public Interest Legal Fellowship Program. Approximately 15 positions are available for first and second year law students at Legal Services of New Jersey. Click here for application.

FASPE (Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics) is now accepting applications for a fellowship that uses the conduct of lawyers and judges in Nazi Germany as a launching point for an intensive two-week early summer program about contemporary legal ethics. Click here for information.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, Civil Rights Division seeks second year law students as legal interns to assist with its enforcement and outreach efforts. Please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (5-10 pages) to Peggy Schmidt to apply. The positions are unpaid, but visit our website to find out how you can qualify for a HOPE Fellowship.

Announcements & Opportunities:

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) is seeking interns for 2013. Located in Washington, DC, internships are year-round and flexible on start/end dates. Internships are available in APA worker and immigration issues, research and legislative issues.  

Miami Law’s Clinics are now accepting applications for the fall and summer. You can learn more about each clinic here, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions. You can click here to watch short videos about each clinic. The deadline to apply for a fall clinic is March 6th. You can apply online here. The deadline for summer clinics is rolling, but you are encouraged to apply early.

The NLG Military Law Task Force is looking for student researchers for two projects, both excellent ways to get legal research and writing experience. One project involves researching statutes of ROTC regulations and drafting memos, and the other involves revising and updating military medical policies.

Empowered Youth and Child Advocacy and Family Society is looking for volunteers and mentor. For more information, email here.

LSGMI, Inc. Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. is seeking clerks to fill a variety of volunteer law clerk positions. Interested students should be able to volunteer a minimum of 12 hours a week for the Spring semester. For more information regarding the program, visit this link. For more information on how to apply, email UM HOPE.

 

 

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Need to Sublet Your Place this Summer?

By on February 26th, 2013

The CDO from time to time receives requests from Miami Law students or students elsewhere seeking to sublet their apartment and/or sublease another apartment. Below is detailed information about 0ne such opportunity:

A law student in Washington, DC is seeking a sublet in the Brickell/Downtown area from mid-May until late August 2013 (rough dates are May 14th to August 12th or 25th). This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is studying abroad or visiting another law school for this time period and would like to have their lease covered during their absence.

Please contact the CDO to be put in touch with this individual.

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Americans for Immigrant Justice Children’s Legal Project – Part-Time Contract Position

By on February 25th, 2013

Agency Background:  

Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice), formerly FIAC, a not-for-profit law firm founded in 1996 to protect and promote the basic human rights of immigrants, has a multicultural and a multilingual staff.  AI Justice has represented clients from around the world and is recognized as a powerful advocate and national leader for immigrants’ rights.  AI Justice works closely with traditional civil rights organizations, as well as with grassroots organizations and local, state and national government officials to effect positive change in immigration policies.

Duties: 

AI Justice is seeking a recent law graduate for its work with unaccompanied immigrant children.  The individual will primarily assist unaccompanied children in immigration custody and will be responsible for the following duties:

  • Working closely with various government agencies and social services providers.
  • Visiting shelters for unaccompanied immigrant children in the Miami area several times a week
  • Conducting Know Your Rights presentations.
  • Conducting individual client interviews.
  • Translating for clients and/or attorneys at interviews, hearings and presentations.
  • Completing applications for immigration relief.
  • Assisting with preparation of motions and other court documents.
  • Scheduling client visits.
  • Conducting daily case management and maintaining database.
  • Coordinating legal services for unaccompanied children in federal custody.

Qualifications: 

  • Energetic, friendly and responsible.
  • Experience working with adolescents preferred.
  • Previous BIA accreditation helpful. 
  • Experience in public interest law, particularly immigration law or child welfare, helpful. 
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office required.  Knowledge of client database systems helpful.
  • Excellent people skills.
  • Ability to work independently and under pressure
  • Written and verbal proficiency in Spanish and English required.
  • Valid Driver’s license and reliable transportation needed.

Education: 

  • BA or an advanced degree.

Salary:  This is a part time contract position (20 hours/week).  Salary commensurate with experience.

To Apply:  Submit resume via email. Write CHILDREN’S LEGAL PROJECT in the subject line.

Interviews:  Top candidates will be invited to interview and submit references.  AI Justice is an EOE/AA employer and encourages women and minorities to apply.

 

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ASIL CLE INSTITUTE: Not Just State: International Law in the U.S. Government

By on February 25th, 2013

On Wednesday, February 27th, the Government Attorneys Interest Group of the American Society of International Law will hold a continuing legal education course featuring practicing international lawyers in a variety of positions within the U.S. government. This panel, “Not Just State: International Law in the U.S. Government,” will discuss the role that international law plays in the day-to-day practice of attorneys not only in the State and Defense Departments, but also in legal offices outside of the most commonly-understood “international” agencies.

This event is for government lawyers to interface with each other, for private sector and NGO attorneys who want to gain a better understanding of the varying roles of international law in the U.S. government, and for law students seeking international legal careers in government service.

This event is free to those not seeking to earn CLE credit and takes place:

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

ASIL Headquarters- Tillar House

2223 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC20008

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Panelists will address a variety of questions dealing with the level of cooperation (or lack thereof) between government agencies on international issues.

Speakers include:

  • Judith Cohen, Senior Manager, Advance Pricing & Mutual Agreement Program, Large Business & International Division, Internal Revenue Service;
  • Katherine Cooper, Acting Director, Harmonization and Multilateral Relations Office, Office of International Programs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration;
  • Megan McMillan, Attorney Advisor, Commercial Law Development Program, U.S. Department of Commerce;
  • Virginia (Ginny) Nagy, Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, Multilateral Diplomacy Unit, U.S. Department of State;
  • Gary Sampliner, Senior Counsel, Office of General Counsel (International Affairs), U.S. Department of the Treasury; and
  • Jennifer Thibodeau, Senior Attorney, Office of the Assistant General Counsel for International Law, Department of Transportation.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Information:

This course is eligible for 1.5 mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) professional practice credits.

General Registration:

ASIL Members and ASIL Non-Members = Free

CLE Registration:

ASIL Member Attorneys = $45.00 ASIL Non-Members = $65.00

For more information and to register, visit the website.

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IT-Lex Technology Law Writing Contest-Deadline is May 1, 2013

By on February 22nd, 2013

IT-Lex, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educational, literary, and scientific advancement in the field of technology law, is proud to announce its first Technology Law Writing Competition, sponsored by the law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP.

All accredited law school students in good standing are eligible to enter the writing competition. Submission topics should focus on technology law and are due May 1, 2013.

Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three winning submissions. The competition winners will have their submissions published in the IT-Lex Journal, and will receive invitations to become write-on members and part of the IT-Lex Law Review. Prizes aside, all meritorious entries will be considered for publication.

Prizes:

First place: $5,000

Second place: $1,000

Third place: $500

For more information on technology law and the specifics of the writing contest, please visit the website.

 

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The Florida Bar Center for Professionalism and FIU Law Host The Second Annual Professionalism Symposium

By on February 22nd, 2013

The Florida Bar Center for Professionalism is again co-hosting with FIU Law, the Second Annual Professionalism Symposium Wednesday, February 27, 2013, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event is free to all area law students. Recent law school graduates are also welcome.

Among other topics, there will be a solid emphasis on University of Miami School of Law Professor Scott Rogers’ work on mindfulness and that theme will be emphasized by the panel of local judges who are all involved in the mindfulness efforts. The keynote speaker, Former Justice Raoul G. Cantero, III, Partner, White & Case LLP will also discuss “Embracing Professionalism.”

This networking event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with local attorneys and judges and hear their perspective on professionalism in South Florida. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided to all attendees and there will be a reserved parking area.

The symposium will be held at FIU College of Law, 11200 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, FL 33174.

For additional general and registration information, please visit this link.

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Florida Legal Services Seeks Reemployment Assistance Project Legal Extern – OPEN IMMEDIATELY

By on February 21st, 2013

Job: Florida Legal Services (FLS) in midtown Miami needs a legal extern to administer its Reemployment Assistance Pro Bono Project starting February 2013.  The individual will oversee outreach to unemployed individuals in the community, screen and interview clients, assess the merits of clients’ cases, provide advice to clients based on feedback from senior attorneys, timely refer meritorious cases to pro bono attorneys for legal representation, and follow-up with assigned attorneys on the status of the cases.  The job is anticipated to require a commitment of at least ten hours weekly and will pay $15 per hour depending upon experience.

Background: When individuals lose their job through no fault of their own, they are eligible for Reemployment Assistance (RA).  But there are many challenges to being found eligible by the state.  People must apply online only (not over the phone or using paper forms); they must be literate in English, Spanish or Creole and know how to use a computer in order to apply; they must complete a three-part 45 minute skills test online by a certain deadline after they apply; they must contact at least 5 prospective employers weekly and report details of their work search efforts online in order to stay eligible; if their old job challenges their eligibility, they have to timely ask for a hearing and win at the hearing.  At every stage of the application process, there are short deadlines for challenging adverse agency decisions.  On top of all these requirements, people will soon have to register online with the state job agency by a certain deadline, provide an email address, and complete many web screens of background information about their skills, knowledge, and abilities. Every single one of these technological hurdles can be a tripping point that deprives unemployed people of the RA benefits they desperately need between jobs. This project targets individuals who face technological barriers to benefits eligibility.

Attributes of candidates: This position demands an organized individual who is consistent in maintaining a scheduled commitment.  The candidate will be expected to handle phone calls from and set interview appointments for prospective clients, meet regularly with supervising attorneys, conduct some community outreach, and maintain electronic contact with pro bono case handlers. An interest in the unemployment benefits program is desirable although FLS will provide substantive training and supervision in this area of the law.  This project will run from the present through December 2013, so the ideal candidate will be available starting now and through 2013.  FLS anticipates that the most successful candidate will be proficient in spoken Spanish.  The position will be open until filled.

Contact: Email a resume and cover letter indicating an interest in this position to Senior Staff Attorney Valory Greenfield.

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The Employment Rights & Responsibilities Committee, Labor & Employment Section of the ABA Presents: “Careers in Labor & Employment Law”

By on February 20th, 2013

Learn about exciting and diverse careers in labor and employment law, and discover ways to become involved in the American Bar Association’s Section of Labor and Employment Law.

“Careers in Labor & Employment Law” will take place on Thursday, March 21, from 12:30 pm – 1:50 pm, in Room F-108.

Speakers:

  • Louis Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC (Government)
  • Natalie Norfus, Jackson Lewis LLP, Miami, FL (Management)
  • Heather Lindsay, Lindsay & Andrews PA, Milton, FL (Employee)
  • Doug Steele, Woodley&McGillivary, Washington, DC (Union)

Pizza and soda will be served.