Law Student Affairs

The Footnotes in your Life: A Special Guest Blog for our Graduates! Congratulations!!

jcollin3 — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:46:03 +0000

Those of us in Student Affairs want to take a moment to wish the BU Law Class of 2013 all the best!! When we set out to write this post, we quickly realized that the words of your own classmate might be a little bit more poignant. Therefore, we are pleased to welcome 2013 graduate Joshua Talicska as a guest blogger! His thoughtful post captures much of what we hope you will take from BU Law as you embark on your latest adventures. Indeed, we can only hope that the faculty, staff and administration at BU Law will have a small footnote in your life story, as you are all footnotes in ours.

Sincerely,

Dean Marx, Jill Collins, Brenda Hernandez and Kelly Sullivan

“The Footnotes in Your Life” by Joshua Talicska

Three years have passed since we walked through the doors of Boston University School of Law as eager first-year students. Three years.

Class of 2013, I would like you to think back to the first few weeks of the second semester; to before we began writing our briefs for the Esdaile Moot Court program, and to the plagiarism presentation we attended in light thereof. Whether it was Professor Volk or Dean Marx, we were reminded again and again that the School of Law defines plagiarism as “the use, without adequate attribution, of the ideas, expressions, or work, of another.”

Do. Not. Plagiarize. Three simple words; one simple idea. Drop footnotes. Use quotations. Attribute. Attribute. Attribute. And although citations and footnoting may have been the bane of our existence for the past three years…what a great theme for our graduation.

For many of us, graduating from law school is the biggest achievement—at least, to date—in our lives. But none of us did it on our own. Whether it was emotional or, perhaps, monetary support from family or friends; a heart-to-heart conversation with a professor; a free cup of coffee courtesy of the Dean; or just an unexpected act of kindness from
a classmate or complete stranger; each and every one of us was helped along the way.

Each and every one of us is seated here today because of the contributions others have made to our lives—likely the very individuals seated in the audience watching
this ceremony; the very individuals seated behind me. But recognizing that we are stand today upon the shoulders of others in no way detracts from our accomplishment—from our graduating from law school.

We did the readings. We wrote the papers. We are graduating from law school. We did it. But we did it with the help of others.

Footnote those contributions. To do otherwise would be to take credit for, to appropriate, without attribution, the work of others. Attribute your success. Footnote those who have helped you along the way.

Wherever we go, whatever we do, I urge each of you to remember the footnotes in your life. To take the kindness and support others have shown you and pay-it-forward.

Call your parents on Sunday nights, just to talk; just to ask about their week. Stop and give directions to a stranger on the sidewalk instead of shouldering past. Offer to drive a friend to the airport; to help them move. Take on a pro bono case; take on two. Do some good. I am not asking that you save the world. Little acts of kindness. Little acts of kindness can make all the difference.

Class of 2013, however busy we are; however busy we get; however often we complain that there is just not enough time in the day; the one thing we should not cut from our schedules is our making the time to assist those in need—to lend a helping hand; a shoulder to cry on; an ear for listening. Others did it for us. It’s our turn to pay-it-forward.

Be mindful of the footnotes in your life.

Thank you and congratulations!

Our Hearts Are Full

cmarx — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:43:55 +0000

Monday, April 15 started as a glorious, sunny day. It ended in terrible tragedy. We lost a member of the Boston University community, student Lu Lingzi. I hope you will take a moment to learn more about her: http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/promise-and-potential-cut-short/
Another BU student was seriously injured. The loss and suffering from this horrific act extended beyond BU. Our hearts are full of sadness; the ramifications will be felt forever.

I couldn’t help but remember that terrible day on September 11, 2001, when so many lives changed forever. The awful feelings from that day came rushing back as I heard the news about what happened on Monday. Feelings of helplessness, despair, deep sadness, and sympathy for those who lost their lives or were injured. But, slowly, the pain is dulled a bit by stories of heroism, of countless people who rushed to aid the injured, never disclosing their names.

I am not from Boston but I am proud to call Boston my home. People talk about the strength and resilience of Bostonians, and I have seen many examples of that since I came here in 1985. I know that we will have a Boston Marathon next year, and that we will come back stronger than ever. We also must make sure that we remember and honor those who lost their lives, and that we find ways to help support those who have suffered.

I am proud to be part of a supportive, caring communityto help with the healing process. BU Law students are collecting funds for the One Fund Boston, which will help those who suffered. BU Student Health Services has organized support groups for students who have been impacted by this tragedy. BU also has several counseling resources to offer support, such as the BU Behavioral Medicine Clinic, the Danielsen Institute, chaplains through Marsh Chapel, and the the Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Center (SARP). Please take advantage of these resources. And know that my staff and I are here to help in any way we can.

-Associate Dean Chris Marx

Diversity News Roundup April 2013

blhernan — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:47:53 +0000

Spring is here (well, sort of) which means the semester is almost over and finals are on the way. Before you escape to the land of studying, there are still some great on-campus events to attend. The final Legacy Series panel will be on April 8, from 1-2PM entitled Diversity in the Legal Profession: Presentation of Self. The panel, in room 820, will feature BU Law Professors Khiara Bridges and David Breen, and Northeastern Law Professor Aziza Ahmed. ILPS and LALSA are co-sponsoring an Immigration Law Informational and Networking event on April 9, at 6PM in Barristers. NALSA is hosting the Honorable Robert Yazzie, Chief Justice Emeritus of the Navajo Nation, on April 9 at 4PM in 1270, to discuss and demonstrate peacemaking. APALSA is having their Annual Luau on Friday, April 12 at 4PM in 1270. Although there is plenty to keep you busy in the tower, I have listed below diversity programming happening at BU and in the community. Hope you have a chance to attend any of these events!

Events:

April 8: Visit Marsh Plaza where BU clergy, faculty, staff and friends will honor Holocaust Remembrance Day by reading the names of thousands of victims who died in the Holocaust.
April 8: Harvard Law School will show the documentary deepsouth. This event is FREE and open to the public.
April 10: The Center for the Humanities at Tufts is hosting Carifesta Redux: Conversation Among Caribbean Women Writers and Scholars. FREE and open to the public. Reception to follow.
April 10: Meet attorneys from Mintz Levin at Boston Lawyers group’s Legal Writing and Research Workshop/Networking Reception. FREE.
April 10: Suffolk Law School will be screening “The Central Park Five”. Free but RSVP is required.

News:

13 NYC Public Enforcement Patrol officers win a race-based discrimination lawsuit against the city.
Dartmouth College is undertaking an oral history project to document its diversity.
50 years after Gideon v. Wainwright public defense remains a problem, particularly for defendants of color.
Dr. Cheryl Crazy Bull discusses the Indigenous Rights movement Idle No More.
The Associated Press removed “illegal immigrant” from its style guide.

-Brenda

Diversity News Roundup March 2013

blhernan — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:54:24 +0000

March is Women’s History Month! Check out the Radical Women’s History Project where creator Shelby Knox highlights, “the accomplishments of the world’s women, explicitly centering women of color, indigenous, queer, trans, women with disabilities, and non-Western women.” A few ways you can celebrate Women’s History Month in Boston is to walk the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail, visit the Julia Child exhibit in Cambridge or attend Simmons College LUNAFEST which features “short films by, for, and about women.” This month’s BU Law Legacy Series event also focuses on women. On March 21 from 1-2, join The Women’s Law Association and the Students Affairs Office for Prisoner of Her Own Body: The Reproductive Rights of Prisoners featuring MA State Representative Kay Khan, reproductive justice scholar and advocate Rachel Roth and Marcella Jayne a member of the Prison Birth Project.

Events:

March 20: Third Film Festivals: Women Take the Reel at Northeastern screening “Treyf,” a documentary tackling LGBTQ issue and issues of faith. FREE and open to the public.
March 21: BU Law’s Building Bridges, a reception for current students and alumni of color at the African American History Museum. Contact me for further details.
March 22: The Islamic Society of BU is hosting #Whatisislam Open Discussion as part of BU’s Islam Awareness Month. The event is FREE and open to members of all faiths.
March 27: Boston Lawyers Group: Mock Interview Program for law students of color. Deadline to submit your resume is March 15.
March 28: Harvard Journal of Law and Gender presents: Still Un/Masking the Self: Legal Education and the Experience of the Other. This event features Margaret Montoya, the first Latina accepted to Harvard Law.

News:

Emerson College fraternity raises money for transgender brother’s surgery.
Racist incidents lead to cancelled classes at Oberlin College.
Here is an interesting op-ed piece in the NY Times entitled The Good, Racist People. The piece was written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, who spoke at BU last month.
Youth incarceration rates have dropped.
Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that anti-gay slurs are not protected under Freedom of Speech.

Diversity Scholarship, Fellowship, and Internship Opportunities:

Goodwin Procter: Public Interest Fellowships for Law Students of Color-deadline March 22, 2013
Zelle Hofmann: 2013 Diversity in Law Scholarship-deadline April 1, 2013
DRI: Law Student Diversity Scholarship-deadline April 19, 2013
South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston: Legal Intern Fellowship-deadline April 19, 2013 application available in my office
Bingham: Thurgood Marshall Fellowship-deadline July 31, 2013.

-Brenda

Are you an ambulance chaser? Find out at the BU Law 5k!

jcollin3 — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:05:15 +0000

It’s that time of year again…time to sign up for the BU Law 5K!!

SIGN UP THIS WEEK, Monday March 18-Friday March 22, in STUDENT AFFAIRS (4TH FLOOR).

For those of you who haven’t participated before, check out this video about the race.

Watch this video on YouTube

Here are the top 5 reasons to run the BU Law 5K:

You love to run, and this is your chance to see how you stack up with your fellow classmates, staff and faculty at the law school…outside the classroom!
You want to get stuff and win prizes! For your $10 entrance, you get a long-sleeve race t-shirt, a bag with some fun things, plus 1st place in each division wins prizes AND there’s a raffle for all participants.
You need a good excuse to get moving now that spring break is a memory….
You know you want to get a good workout in before the Law Prom.
You want to go for a nice walk with your [friends, family, significant other, mother, sister, AND/OR grandmother].

The 5K isn’t just for runners…and it isn’t just for law students!! Friends and family of BU Law students, faculty and staff are welcome to participate or even just cheer you on!! Note: the course is stroller-friendly.

Remember: SIGN UP NOW in Student Affairs!!

Here’s the map of the course:

Can’t wait to see you out there!

BU Police Chief Tom Robbins Speaks About Safety at the Dean’s Town Hall

cmarx — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:25:04 +0000

At Dean O’Rourke’s Town Hall Meeting today, she welcomed Chief Tom Robbins, Deputy Scott Pare, and Captain Robert Molloy from the BU Police Department (BUPD) to discuss the recent robberies in Brookline and BUPD’s role when these incidents happen since they are not on the BU campus. The recent robberies have been in north Brookline, over which the Brookline Police Department has primary jurisdiction. There have also been incidents in “the Gap,” which is the west campus area; the Boston police have primary jurisdiction over that area. BU police are sworn in as Norfolk Co. sheriffs. While they do not have primary jurisdiction over the areas of the recent robberies, they consult closely with the police departments that have primary jurisdiction to discuss patrol coverage and the investigations.

Chief Robbins presented information from the Brookline Police Department indicating that crime has dropped 5% in Brookline from 1994 to now. For the 6 recent robberies close to BU, 4 arrests were made; 2 cases are still active. None of the suspects are from the area, though some knew of the area from relatives. Chief Robbins lauded the Brookline police for their work on solving these cases.

If students see any suspicious activity around BU, they should call the BUPD emergency number at 617/353-2121. If they call 911, that first goes to the Framingham State Police and then to Boston police; if it affects BU, BUPD is contacted. Chief Robbins reminded students about the BU Escort Security Service run through the BU Dean of Students Office. Students can call that service and other students will walk them to places on campus; this does not extend off campus. The student escorts have radios to link to the BUPD as needed. There also are 110 emergency blue light phones around campus (some are by the Law Tower) that link directly to the BUPD.

Although some recent incidents have occurred when victims were in groups, Chief Robbins said that it generally is still safer to walk in groups. He reminded students to be aware of their surroundings and not walk around with ear plugs/head phones. If confronted by someone trying to steal something, he urged students NOT to resist.

BU remains a relatively safe campus. Other area colleges have had recent incidents, so these unfortunately do happen. If you see anything suspicious, always feel free to call 617/353-2121 to reach the BUPD.

Diversity News Roundup February 2013

blhernan — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:34:42 +0000

Happy Black History Month! In celebration of both Black History Month and the 150^th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, I will present a panel on the Emancipation Proclamation as part of my Legacy Series on February 21st. The panel entitled From Emancipation to Redemption will include Professors David Lyons and Christian Samito. There are also many events happening on the Boston University campus. On February 25, the Gastronomy Program presents To Feed the Revolution: The Black Panther Party and the Politics of Food. The African American Studies Program will host a talk by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Senior Editor, The Atlantic and author, “The Beautiful Struggle” on February 26. Here are some more events happening on campus and around town.

Events:

All Month Long: The Museum of African American History Boston’s newest exhibit “The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Signs of Freedom,” is only $5.
February 13: Boston College is holding a FREE event entitled, “Battle of Complexions: The Significance of Skin Color in the Black Community” & “Why Can’t I Say the N Word?” This looks to be a very interesting discussion between students, faculty, and the general public.
February 16: BU Korean Student Association is having its annual Cultural Show called SeoulMates. Tickets are $2 presale and $5 at the door.
February 24: 25th Annual Lunar New Year Festival in Quincy. This FREE event is one of the largest Lunar New Year festivals in the region.
February 24: The Human Rights Campaign is hosting Her HRC Boston event whose mission is to “gather women to both celebrate and build a greater sense of community while learning about the importance of engaging in the LGBT civil rights movement.” Tickets are $15 which includes an annual HRC membership.

News:

Congratulations to Cristina Rodriguez who last month became Yale’s first Latina tenured law professor.
Same-sex marriage was approved in England and Wales.
The Pentagon opens up more jobs to women in the military, but women are still blocked from direct combat roles.
Where Does Immigration Reform Begin for Same-Sex Couples?
Duke University Fraternity suspended after racist Asian-themed party.

Diversity Scholarship, Fellowship, and Internship Opportunities:

Early Civil Rights Project Legal Fellowship
Philippine American Bar Association: PABA Legal Scholarship and the PABA Future Attorney Scholarship- deadline February, 28 2013.
Goodwin Proctor: Public Interest Fellowships for Law Students of Color-deadline March 1, 2013.
Boston Bar Association: Summer Judicial Internship Program- deadline March 1, 2013

-Brenda

Is this the winter blues? Or is it something more?

jcollin3 — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:31:43 +0000

It’s January. It’s dark and cold. Suddenly everyone seems extra unfriendly as they navigate the icy streets of Boston. You don’t want to go out except when its essential, and even then you might not be willing to attempt it. You can’t seem to get out of bed or you can’t seem to fall asleep. Grades, jobs, friends, family, activities…so many things to stress you out. Is this the winter blues? Is it law school itself? Or is it something more?

We all experience ups and downs in life, but sometimes the downs seem deeper and harder to dig out of. If you’re feeling like you’re struggling to cope with daily life or if all the fun has gone out of things that you used to enjoy, YOU’RE NOT ALONE…and it might be time to ask for help.

Depression and anxiety is widespread, and stressful environments – like law school – can make it harder to cope. BU has tremendous resources in the form of Behavioral Medicine at University Health Services, the Sexual Assault, Response and Prevention Center (SARP), as well as a whole host of other resources for short- and long-term support (see here for additional resources for your health).

DID I MENTION THAT YOU’RE NOT ALONE? Here are some facts about mental health here at Boston University.*

20% of students screened positive for anxiety and depression [both 2010 & 2012]; 25% self-reported ever being diagnosed with a mental disorder

53% in 2012 had at least one day in the past month when emotional difficulty impaired their academic performance, and 24% had three or more days [2010: 51% and 21%]

8% of undergrads and 3% of grad students thought seriously about committing suicide in the past year (overall 6%)

51% reported at least one episode of binge drinking in the past 2 weeks; this is significantly higher than the 44% in national sample (56% of undergrads binged)

Retention and Counseling

Of the full 2012 sample, 7.9% felt that counseling or medication had “quite a bit” or “extremely” helped them with their academic performance. In addition, 3% of all students sampled stated that counseling or medication had an extremely positive effect on their academic performance, i.e. they “would not have been able to remain in school otherwise.” This amounts to a total of over 900 BU students who were retained in school. Of the subset of these people who received counseling, 58% of them were seen at BU Behavioral Medicine.

Of the students who thought about interrupting their studies, 21% said mental health concerns were a reason for this. Of those who chose not to interrupt their studies, 3% said meeting with SHS clinicians was a factor in their decision.

These facts and figures are not meant to alarm you. Rather, they’re meant to underscore that YOU ARE NOT ALONE and even more importantly, HELP IS AVAILABLE!!

BU’s Behavioral Medicine is familiar with law students and the pressures you face. If you’re not ready to visit Behavioral Medicine, stop by the Student Affairs office on the 4th Floor to chat with any of us. Or talk to your friends about how you’re feeling. Or reach out to your student advisor or a trusted faculty member. Just know that IT’S OK TO ASK FOR HELP - we’re all here to listen and support you with whatever you may be facing.

* From the HealthyMinds Study, sampling 1452 BU undergrads and grad students in February 2010, and 1696 students in February 2012, amongst 2012 national sample of 25,000 students at 29 universities. [Response rate was 48% in 2010; 42% in 2012]

Enjoying Boston on a Budget

ksull — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:23:22 +0000

Photo by Krypto, available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/krypto/7313647/

Free time may seem like the white unicorn of law school, but it’s important to take a minute away from the memos and briefs to relax and recharge. If you’re looking for fun things to do around the city that won’t break the bank, here are a few tips and ideas that are student-budget-friendly.

Get to Know Your City

Consider exploring our city the green way with a rental from Hubway Bikes, where you can get a 24-hour access pass for just $5. (Usage fees vary by time increments. See the pricing page for details. And don’t forget your helmet!)

Take a guided stroll around Boston’s waterfront area with this free walking tour MP3.

Celebrate Boston’s Irish heritage with more than just green beer by visiting some of the sites dedicated to the city’s largest ethnic group.

For you sports fans out there, you can download this free Boston Sports Trail GPS tour, or take a tour of Fenway Park ($12 with your student ID).

Castle Island offers free guided tours of Fort Independence, or for $15 you can hop on the ferry and visit some of the beautiful Boston Harbor Islands.

Cheap Eats

Some personal favorites include McCormick and Scmick’s happy hour menu and the half price food at Grendel’s Den, but also check out these carefully curated lists of cheap eats from other outlets around town:

Boston Magazine

The Boston Globe

The Phoenix

Zagat

Tunes

There are tons of great places to catch live music around the city at little to no cost. Take a trip across the river and see some great local bands at Toad, Cantab Lounge, Johnny D’s, The Burren, or Plough and Stars, where covers typically range from free to $6.

If you prefer Hall and Oates to Noah and the Whale, head to Jacob Wirth’s weekly Friday night sing-along (free), or check out Howl at the Moon for more classic anthems (no cover Sunday – Wednesday, and no cover on Thursday with your student ID).

For my fellow Sinatra-philes, you can hear all your favorites from Old Blue Eyes on Fridays and Saturdays at Lucky’s Lounge (no cover), or if jazz is more your style, you can see free shows at Wally’s Cafe in the South End.

Museums

A great way to get some culture in your lives without paying top dollar is to reserve the museum passes that are available through the Boston Public Library system.

If that’s not an option, the Museum of Fine Arts has free entrance on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. (with a suggested donation), the Institute of Contemporary Art is free on Thursdays from 5-9 p.m., and the new Sports Museum at the TD Garden is free for library members.

Your Terrier Card also gets you in to many museums for free, but as these deals are offered by the host organizations, make sure to check www.studentrate.com for updated information regarding what discounts are currently available.

All the World’s a Stage

Make the most of your student status with these great rush deals around town:

Boston Ballet

$20 tickets two hours before curtain.

Boston Lyric Opera

Half-price student rush tickets two hours before the show (usually starting around $17).

Boston Symphony Orchestra

$9 rush tickets for Tuesday evening, Thursday evening, and Friday afternoon performances (plan on purchasing about 3 hours before the performance), or you can purchase the College Card for $25.

Boston Opera House and Colonial Theater

$25 rush tickets for some performances can be purchased 1 hour before the show.

Lyric Stage Company

Student rush tickets are sold 30 minutes before curtain; prices vary.

Huntington Theater

The 35 Below Club offers $25 tickets to patrons under age 35, and $15 tickets are available for full-time students under 25 and veterans.

Bust a Move

If salsa is your thing, Masa in the South End offers free salsa lessons and dancing on Thursday nights (with $0.50 tapas to boot!). The Havana Club in Central Square also offers a 2 hour salsa lesson followed by 3 hours of dancing for just $12 on Fridays and Saturdays, or for $10 you can spend your Sunday learning to cha-cha at Ryles Jazz Club in Inman Square.

For those who prefer the jitterbug to merengue, The Dancing Fools offer $10 swing lessons on Wednesday nights at the Harvard Square Fire & Ice. Harvard Square also hosts blues dancing with Bluesy Tuesy on Tuesday nights, where you can take a dance lesson from 7:30 – 8:30pm for $5, and/or join in the general dancing from 8:30 – 11pm for $5.

If you’d rather participate from a distance, take a trip to the Middle East in Central Square, where they have free belly-dancing shows on Sunday nights!

Etc.

Check out the stars at the BU Observatory, which offers free Open to the Public nights on Wednesdays at 7:30pm during the fall and winter, and 8:30pm during the spring and summer.

Mad about chocolate? For $5 you can take a tour of Somerville’s Taza Chocolate Factory, with public tours offered Wednesday–Sunday every week.

On Wednesday nights the Brookline Clayroom offers wine, appetizers, and paint-your-own pottery for just $30 a person.

Admission to the Franklin Park Zoo is half off the regular price ($11) on the first Saturday morning of each month, and who doesn’t want to go see the new baby giraffe!

Visit the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library and see the world as it was in 1935 (for just $6!).

It wouldn’t be winter in Boston without a trip to the Frog Pond, where adult admission is $5 (skate rentals are an extra $9).

Take a breather from cramped city life and hop the orange line out to the Arnold Arboretum, where you can take a free guided tour or just enjoy the wide open spaces.

It may be a little too chilly right now, but as spring approaches take advantage of our prime river location and try a kayak rental from Boston Canoe & Kayak, where kayak rentals start at $15 per hour.

Giving back to your community doesn’t cost a thing, so consider volunteering your time with one of the city’s many great organizations, like Horizons for Homeless Children, the Greater Boston Food Bank, or the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Do you have other ideas on how to enjoy Boston on a budget? Please leave your suggestions in the comments!

Diversity News Roundup January 2013

blhernan — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:09:11 +0000

Happy New Year! Here in the Student Affairs Office we are excited to welcome you back and to host our Spring programs. Mark your calendars, the annual Building Bridges reception will be held on March 21 from 6-8pm at the African American History Museum. Building Bridges brings current students and alumni of color together to network and build support systems outside the law tower. Martin Luther King Day is January 21^st. Since there are no classes that day, consider attending BU’s MLK Day Celebration.

Events:

January 4- February 3: The Huntington Theater Company presents Invisible Man. I saw this theatrical adaptation of Ralph Ellison’s landmark novel about race, power and freedom over the break and it was amazing. Highly recommend. Student (25 and under) tickets are $15.
January 18: An Evening with Toni Morrison. Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winner, Professor Morrison along with representatives of Northeastern Law School’s Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project will discuss the harms suffered by so many during the Civil Rights era and highlight the current work to restore justice. Tickets are $17.
January 29(note date change): Boston Lawyer’s Group presents Charting Your Legal Future-A Career Conference for Law School Students of Color. Topics include Mentoring, Job Search Strategies, Public Sector Opportunities and Life as a Lawyer. This event is free.
January 31: Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association’s Committee on Transgender Inclusion hosts Light Up the Night Party. This annual reception and celebration is free and open to law students of all gender identities.

News:

In an article entitled “Boston’s Champions of Diversity,” Boston.com recognized people of various professions who promote diversity in Massachusetts. The article featured BU Law Alum Kelly Bates.
It has been four years since the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pair Act was signed, however the gender wage gap persists. This infographic demonstrates how this continues and how it affects women’s lives.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments over laws affecting gay marriage in March.
Justice Sotomayor to Become First Latina to Administer Oath of Office.

Diversity Scholarship, Fellowship, and Internship Opportunities

The Grand Rapids and the Floyd Skinner Bar Associations: Minority Clerkship Program- deadline February 5, 2013.
Boston Lawyer’s Group: 1L Diversity Clerkship-email me for further information, deadline February 8, 2013.
Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association: 2013 Alexander G. Gray, Jr. Scholarship Award-email me for further information, deadline February 15, 2013.

This semester I will also bring more lectures and panels on diversity and social justice issues through the Legacy Series. Upcoming topics include the Emancipation Proclamation and Self Presentation in the Legal Profession. If you have any ideas for a Legacy Series event, feel free to stop by my office.

-Brenda