Graduate Fellow, Law Career Development
Just in time for National Pro Bono week, GGU Law is celebrating its students, faculty, alumni and staff who engage in legal service to their communities, and we are celebrating with a very special guest...
Public Interest Law is a cumulative array of industries and practice areas focused on improving the lives of everyone. Those who enter into public interest law may work in a government agency, such as by defending youth from wrongful criminal convictions. Or they may work for a public interest organization that helps victims of domestic violence. Or they may even speak out to improve civil and human rights in a foreign country. Or perhaps, they may "be the attorney who works on community economic development and helps minority-owned small businesses become incorporated. As a public interest lawyer you will be the attorney who ensures liberty and justice for all."The public interest law sector is vast, and no matter your interest, there is a place for you to fit in - either as a career or as side pro bono work done apart from or within a fee generating practice. It just takes one person to enact change. Take Lateefah Simon, for an example.
LATEEFAH SIMON is a powerful, strong woman who has overcome much in her own personal life. Despite her hardships, she has successfully changed the lives of thousands of people over the years. As a teenager, Lateefah had dropped out of school and worked full-time at a fast food restaurant until she was recruited to become part of the Huckleberry Youth Program, which she loved. Soon after, she applied to the "San Francisco’s Center for Young Women’s Development . . . [and] became a street outreach worker. As a young girl who was, at the time, on probation in the court system for being a habitual shoplifter, she was a perfect choice for the job." This Center's vision was to reach out to women at-risk by encouraging them, respecting them, and giving them the tools they needed to improve their lives. In 1998, Lateefah became the Executive Director of this Center, where she continued and expanded this vision in the "justice system. . ., to work nationally and internationally to help at-risk women find much needed support." She then went on to lead the creation of San Francisco’s first reentry services division under the leadership of then District Attorney Kamala D. Harris. In 2009, Lateefah was appointed Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. LCCR works to champion the legal rights of people of color, poor people, immigrants and refugees, through litigation, policy advocacy and direct service programs. She is now a Program Director at the Rosenberg Foundation, where she works to shape policy impacting Californians. She also recently announced her candidacy for BART Board.
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| Photo by Mona T. Brooks |
Lateefah continues to focus her efforts remarkably to help women and people of color around the globe. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the MacArthur 'Genius' Fellowship, the Jefferson Award, and the "California Woman of the Year" award. She "also has been recognized by the Ford Foundation, the National Organization for Women, the Women's Foundation of California and Girls, Inc. She has spoken at the United Nations, before the United States Senate, and at countless trainings and conferences around the country."
The list of Lateefah's goodwill and accomplishments is a long one, and she continues to add to it each day. I want to encourage all the readers of this blog to add a little "Lateefah" in your lives by doing what you can to enact positive change in your communities - whether it is at your daily job, through weekend volunteering, or occasional efforts to support those like Lateefah who dedicate their entire lives to improving this world. Every little bit helps and every single person makes a huge difference!
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Attend the Public Interest/Public Sector Law Launch Celebration Event and Meet Keynote Speaker Lateefah Simon in person! Simply arrive at the event at Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco on October 29, 2015 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm on the 6th Floor, in the GGU Center. RSVP is requested for an accurate accounting for seating and refreshments. RSVP to Corey Farris at cfarris@ggu.edu by Tuesday, October 27. This event is designed to recognize the legal community that have contributed to the public sector, pro bono work, or public service. Co-Hosted by LCD and PILF. Co-Sponsored by BLSA.
