Public Interest Law, Lateefah Simon & The PI/PS Launch Celebration Event

By Erica L. Morris
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.

Career Track Series*: Crimmigration - Ethical Obligations of this Practice Trend

By Erica L. Morris
Law Career Development Graduate Fellow

Crimmigration Or Crimmigation - Ethical Obligations to Know What It Is

Crimmigration is a word coined by legal scholars, and it describes the commingled consequences and practice demands of two important areas of law: criminal and immigration. Crimmigration is more than just knowing these two distinct practices, it is understanding "'...how they intersect. That is a crimmigation lawyer.'" (Steven Crighton, "'Crimmigation' Law Practice Niche on the Rise," San Francisco Daily Journal, Vol. 121 No. 180, published 09/17/15, quoting Cesar C.G. Hernandez, a law professor at University of Denver Sturm Collge of Law.")**

Crimmigration may also be described as "crimmigation" (as seen in Mr. Crighton's article), but from my findings, the former is the most commonly used term.

The Significance Of Crimmigration

In 1986, the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) removed 1,978 immigrants for criminal convictions. That number rose and kept rising over the past decades. INS removed 36,909 immigrants in 1996 and removed 240,000 immigrants in 2013 for the same reasons. (Crighton.) During the Obama Administration, where the President has vowed "to deport only criminals and repeat immigration violators," the numbers grew at a still startling rate. According to Migration Policy Institute,

95 percent of the immigrants deported from 2009 to 2013 met Mr. Obama’s stated national security priorities for deportations, meaning only about 77,000 of the 1.6 million illegal immigrants removed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the last five years were rank-and-file border-crossers with clean records.

Thus, the impact that a criminal conviction has on an immigrant is significant and it affects nearly every single immigrant charged with a crime.

Reflections on Labor Day

by Cynthia Chandler
Interim Associate Dean of Law Career Development and Alumni Relations and Adjunct Professor

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, was established in 1894 as a national day of tribute and rest to celebrate the contribution of workers to all of our communities.

As you enjoy your long weekend, I encourage you to reflect on the broader significance of the day and to consider ways in which law and society is evolving to impact working people.

Check out this useful wrap up of labor law cases from the 2014-15 U. S. Supreme Court term.

Also, Labor Day does not speak to the existence of slavery, or stolen labor, and its continued impact on our economy and society. Consider this blog post on the historic legacy of slavery on the generation of wealth in our country and globally. Moreover, the use of slave labor continues legally in the United States, albeit limitedly, as slave labor was legalized with adoption of the 13th Amendment “as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted…” Consider this recent blog post identifying seven top US companies that continue to make significant profit through the use of free or radically underpaid, imprisoned labor.

Finally, all of us at LCD want to acknowledge how hard our students and graduates work every day, balancing work, school, family and community demands. We thank you for your contributions to our community, culture, politic and society.

Alumni Visit Campus To Discuss Exciting Careers in Civil Rights Law

by Leeor Neta
Assistant Director of Public Interest Programs

Last week, GGU was proud to host a panel of very talented civil rights lawyers, all of whom came to share with us their advice on pursuing a civil rights career. The five panelists—Linda Lye, John Scott (GGU JD 76), Reggie Shuford, Jessica Stender and Virginia Villegas—each took turns answering questions from the moderator, Professor Marci Seville, and the assembled students. A complete list of the panelists, including their biographies, is available here.

Linda Lye, who works on students’ rights, free speech and technology issues for the ACLU, advised students on the many arenas in which to practice civil rights law, including nonprofit organizations, private law offices, and labor unions. Virginia Villegas and John Scott talked about how they created their innovative practices, while Reggie Shuford and Jessica Stender talked about how empowering it was to represent people “who don’t know their rights.”

All of the panelists agreed that it was most important for aspiring civil rights lawyers to get nuts-and-bolts litigation experience and training.

Afterward, everyone congregated in the GGU Center to enjoy food and drink and, most of all, each other’s company. GGU students and alumni can view a video of the panel discussion on LCSonline. For more information about this and other events, please contact Leeor Neta at lneta@ggu.edu.