HOPE Public Interest News for the Week of October 15, 2012
Please read below for upcoming events on campus, opportunities in the community, and other announcements.
Featured
Monday, October 22nd, Gideon’s Trumpet Screening, 5:30 pm, D201, Library Reading Room. Join HOPE and Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos Martinez to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Gideon v. Wainright, the seminal case on the 6th Amendment right to counsel, for a screening of Gideon’s Trumpet. Following the screening, students will have a chance to speak with Carlos Martinez and participate in an ongoing project to determine whether criminal and traffic court defendants in Miami-Dade understand their rights. Please RSVP here for the event.
Tuesday, October 23rd, Reliving Tanzania: Miami Law’s African Probate & Policy Initiative, 12:30 pm, F-109. Speakers Gretchen Bellamy, Director of International Public Interest Programs and Initiative Developer, and students Charles McGinley, Seth DeLong, and Kelsey Bloomenfeld will discuss the African Probate & Policy Initiative. The Initiative took the Instructor and students to Tanzania where they trained in Dar es Salaam and traveled to Mwanza, Arusha, and Zanzibar drafting wills. In four short weeks, the group drafted 103 wills and completed 315 hours of pro bono service. Join them to hear about this amazing feat and how you can get involved! RSVP here.
California Pizza Kitchen United Way Fundraiser. 2 days left on 10/19 and 10/26!! Bring the flyer (available at HOPE office), present it to your server, and 20% of your check will be donated to United Way. Fundraiser in support of United Way: University of Miami School of Law.
Events on Campus
Tuesday, October 16th, Women in the Law: “Work, Life & Balance” Roundtable, 12:30 pm, Faculty Meeting Room, 4th Floor Law Library. Join the Honorable Laurel M. Isicoff, the Honorable Jacqueline Hogan Scola, Patricia Redmond, and Detra P. Shaw-Wilder for a discussion on work/life balance. Sponsored by the Center for Ethics and Public Service and Miami Law Women. Lunch will be served. RSVP here.
Monday, October 22nd, Private Practice in the Public Interest, Enhancing Your Career and the Community through Pro Bono Work, 12:30 pm, Faculty Meeting Room, 4th Floor Law Library. A panel discussion celebrating pro bono and public interest law.
Tuesday, October 23rd, Implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: The Case of Trinidad and Tobago, 12:30 pm, D201, Reading Room. Join Professor Kele Stewart, Professor of Clinical Legal Education and Co-Director of the Miami Law Children & Youth Law Clinic, for a lunch discussion on abused, abandoned and neglected children in the Caribbean.
Wednesday, October 24th, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Info Session, 12:30 pm, E265. VITA volunteers help people with basic tax returns, particularly those with moderate income and fixed income, individuals with disabilities, non-English speaking and elderly taxpayers. No prior tax experience is needed! Come to this informational meeting to learn how you can get involved with VITA. RSVP to HOPE.
Tuesday, October 30th, Panel Discussion: How to Preserve and Increase Affordable Housing in South Florida, 12:30 pm, F-408. Educate and inform the local community of the vital roles that nonprofits and community development corporations have in providing and increasing affordable housing opportunities. Explore legal issues representing low-income and traditionally disenfranchised families in foreclosure proceedings. Speakers: Dennis Russ, Miami Beach Community Development Corporation; John Little, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.; and Charles Elsesser from Florida Legal Services.
Tuesday, October 30th, Election Protection Training at the University of Miami School of Law, 5:30 pm, F-209. Join the nation’s largest non-partisan voter protection coalition. Sign up here.
Events off Campus
Homecoming Weekend!!! Go ‘Canes!
Friday, October 19th, Frozen Yogurt Fundraiser at TCBY to Benefit the United Way.
Thursday, October 25th, Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office: Redemption Workshop, Betty T Ferguson Complex, 3000 NW 199 Street, Miami Gardens, FL. Partner with lawyers to assist with the seal and expunge process for individuals charged with a crime in Miami-Dade County but not convicted. Contact HOPE for more information.
Thursday, October 25th, Americans for Immigrant Justice. 6 pm, Sabadell United Bank, 1111 Brickell Ave., 30th Floor. RSVP by October 22 to Shawn Joost. Join Americans for Immigrant Justice for cocktails & hors d’oeuvres.
Thursday, October 25th, Habitat Young Professionals: Latte & Learn, 6:30 pm, LA Sweets, 5701 Sunset Drive, Suite 152. Join HYP for the first advocacy event talking about the cause of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami and its direct contributions to our community. If you have any questions, contact hyp@miamihabitat.org.
Announcements & Opportunities
Help Young Immigrants Achieve Their American Dream. Volunteers needed. Join other Miami law students in helping young “Dreamers” apply for immigration status called deferred action. Sign up today to help change someone’s life. Sponsored by Miami Law Immigration Clinic and the HOPE Public interest Resource Center. Contact Amanda Roesch to volunteer.
The Center for Reproductive Rights announces Fellowship and Summer Internship Openings.
Soros Fellowships for New Americans Program. This prestigious fellowship provides up to two years of financial support for graduate studies in the U.S. The deadline is November 9th. Please visit the website for more information.
2013 Summer Legal Internship at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Offered in FL, GA, LA, MS, and AL. Visit the website for more information.
Donate LexisNexis points to HOPE! You can donate $4 to HOPE with 230 LexisNexis points! Don’t let those points go to waste. All funds will go to support public interest fellowships and scholarships. E-mail Ana Ramirez for details.