Tonight! 18th Annual UBSPI Action (6:30-10pm)

18th Annual Public Interest Auction
March 9, 2012
6:30-10pm
Thumel Business Center (11 W. Mt. Royal Ave.)

Enjoy live and silent auctions, tasty hors d'oeuvres, a beer and wine bar, and the opportunity to connect with fellow students and alumni, all while raising money for a good cause: summer fellowships at public interest organizations for UB Law students.

Reflections from the Field (Part 13)

This past summer, UBSPI (in conjunction with the Maryland Legal Services Corporation and the University of Baltimore School of Law), funded 15 UB Law students to intern at public interest organizations to gain first-hand legal experience serving a variety of communities.  Over the next few months, their stories will be highlighted on Out in the Streets.

1Ls and 2Ls:  Are you interested in applying for a $4,000 grant to support your public interest work this summer?  Applications for 2012 grants are available here.  Remember:  Much of our funding comes from our annual public interest auction, to be held this year on March 9.

Gillian Yeadon, 2L, University of Baltimore School of Law - Howard County Domestic Violence Center 

Last summer, I had an enriching experience at the Howard County Domestic Violence Center. I helped victims through the intake process and supported attorneys in obtaining protective and peace orders for our clients. I met with clients and worked to help them get back on their feet by assisting them in finding housing, food, and employment. Lastly, I conducted research on the effects that Maryland housing laws have on domestic violence victims.

Public Interest Grant Application Deadline EXTENDED (3/15)

The deadline for this year's public interest grant applications has been extended one week to 5pm on March 15. 

Please follow the same procedures to submit your application to the LCDO.  Applicants will be contacted if the notification date, currently March 30, changes. 

Reflections from the Field (Part 12)

This past summer, UBSPI (in conjunction with the Maryland Legal Services Corporation and the University of Baltimore School of Law), funded 15 UB Law students to intern at public interest organizations to gain first-hand legal experience serving a variety of communities.  Over the next few months, their stories will be highlighted on Out in the Streets.

1Ls and 2Ls:  Are you interested in applying for a $4,000 grant to support your public interest work this summer?  Applications for 2012 grants are available here.  Remember:  Much of our funding comes from our annual public interest auction, to be held this year on March 9.

Nicole Harris-Crest, 2L, University of Baltimore School of Law - Office of the Public Defender, Juvenile Division

My summer internship with the Office of the Public Offender (OPD) was a rewarding experience. My work in the Juvenile Division of the OPD provided me with a new perspective regarding public interest work.  I was fortunate to work with many attorneys who were passionate about their work. Lack of resources and large caseloads are just among a few of the obstacles public defenders face, but many have years of experience that allow them to overcome these challenges.  Often time the stigma is that public defenders are not “real” attorneys. However, I recognized this was not the case. I worked alongside attorneys who worked diligently to provide their clients with the best possible legal representation. As a result, I had the opportunity to complete legal research and writing, witness prep, and received a crash course in evidentiary issues before even taking a course in evidence.

I am forever grateful to UBSPI because I am not certain I would have had the means to take an internship in public interest without the grant. Overall, I enjoyed my internship experience. I affirmed my interest in litigation and strengthened many of the skills necessary for trial work. Although I would not choose a career in criminal law, this internship helped me to realize the needs of our community, and the need for individuals committed to public interest work, especially among individuals within the legal field. Most of all, this internship experience encouraged me to think outside of myself and consider the lives of others. No longer will my future career goals simply include pursuing a career in litigation, but also giving back to my community and helping others.

Reflections from the Field (Part 11)

This past summer, UBSPI (in conjunction with the Maryland Legal Services Corporation and the University of Baltimore School of Law), funded 15 UB Law students to intern at public interest organizations to gain first-hand legal experience serving a variety of communities.  Over the next few months, their stories will be highlighted on Out in the Streets.

1Ls and 2Ls:  Are you interested in applying for a $4,000 grant to support your public interest work this summer?  Applications for 2012 grants are available here.  Remember:  Much of our funding comes from our annual public interest auction, to be held this year on March 9.

Shiri Ahronovich, 2L, University of Baltimore School of Law - National Partnership for Women and Families

The UBSPI Grant afforded me the opportunity to serve as a law clerk for the Workplace Fairness and Work/Family Projects at the National Partnership for Women & Families.  As a law clerk, I conducted legal research, tracked legislation at the local, state, and federal levels, and drafted memoranda, legal documents, issue briefs, and communications pieces.   I was integrated into the staff and learned firsthand from experts at the Partnership.  In particular, I learned about the intersection of law and policy in issue areas that matter to me.  A major highlight of my experience was participating in the National Partnership Day of Action where I lobbied on Capitol Hill on behalf of the Healthy Families Act.  It was through this experience that inspired me to use my time in law school to learn more about public policy, and reinforced my desire to pursue a career serving the needs of others.  

Reflections from the Field (Part 10)

This past summer, UBSPI (in conjunction with the Maryland Legal Services Corporation and the University of Baltimore School of Law), funded 15 UB Law students to intern at public interest organizations to gain first-hand legal experience serving a variety of communities.  Over the next few months, their stories will be highlighted on Out in the Streets.

1Ls and 2Ls:  Are you interested in applying for a $4,000 grant to support your public interest work this summer?  Applications for 2012 grants are available here.  Remember:  Much of our funding comes from our annual public interest auction, to be held this year on March 9.

Benjamin Stirling, 2L, University of Baltimore School of Law - Maryland Office of the Public Defender

Spending the summer of 2011 helping the indigent of Baltimore City at the Office of the Public Defender was a rewarding experience.   Assisting with cases at the district court level provided the opportunity to positively impact the lives of many people on a daily basis.  It also offered the chance to observe first-hand the systemic problems facing Baltimore City, specifically the high incidence of drug abuse.  I learned a tremendous amount about Maryland’s criminal process, and doing investigations gave me a chance to get out on the streets and gather evidenceto be used in trial and interview witnesses.  By my third day I was on the witness stand testifying about photograph’s I’d taken the day before, while investigating a trespassing case.  This was an excellent summer, spent with great people from whom I learned much about law, life and Baltimore.

Summer Grant Applications Due this Week (3/5-3/8)

UB 1Ls and 2Ls:  Apply for a $4,000 Public Interest Grant! 

 Do you have an unpaid internship this summer serving the public interest?  Apply for a summer grant to support your good work in the community.  Applications are available on the UBSPI TWEN page.  

 Applications for this summer's public interest grants are due in hard copy to the LCDO (Law Center Suite 102) by 5pm on Thursday, March 8.  Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, March 5.  

(To find out about the experiences of recent UBSPI grant recipients, click here)

One Week to Go! 2012 UBSPI Auction Next Friday, March 9!

18th Annual Public Interest Auction
March 9, 2012
6:30-10pm
Thumel Business Center (11 W. Mt. Royal Ave.)

Click here to register early for the best deal!

Enjoy live and silent auctions, tasty hors d'oeuvres, a beer and wine bar, and the opportunity to connect with fellow students and alumni, all while raising money for a good cause: summer fellowships at public interest organizations for UB Law students.

Reflections from the Field (Part 9)

This past summer, UBSPI (in conjunction with the Maryland Legal Services Corporation and the University of Baltimore School of Law), funded 15 UB Law students to intern at public interest organizations to gain first-hand legal experience serving a variety of communities.  Over the next few months, their stories will be highlighted on Out in the Streets.

1Ls and 2Ls:  Are you interested in applying for a $4,000 grant to support your public interest work this summer?  Applications for 2012 grants are available here.  Remember:  Much of our funding comes from our annual public interest auction, to be held this year on March 9.

 

Kevin Hilgers, 3L, University of Baltimore School of Law - DC Appleseed

 

Last summer I worked for the DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to solving public policy problems in the District of Columbia. DC Appleseed partners with community leaders, public officials, attorneys, and others to analyze and develop practical solutions to systemic problems.  I became interested in the District's local policy issues in my previous career as a journalist. The city is a paradoxical place. It is the capital of the world's most powerful nation, yet it has limited self government and suffers from serious economic, health, and social problems. While at DC Appleseed, I gained a better understanding of these problems. I focused particularly on issues relating to local autonomy, governmental structure, and affordable housing.

 

My internship with DC Appleseed was the most rewarding professional experience of my life. It helped me clarify my career goals and realize that I had a passion for this type of work. I am thankful to DC Appleseed for the opportunity, and I am indebted to UBSPI for setting me up for success.