603 Legal Aid’s Post

An important part of public advocacy work is that it allows you to expand your knowledge into other areas of the law. I have realized that we are often the only legal avenue for people regardless of whether it is within the specialized work that we do. Lately, I have been helping a lot of clients and others with legal outreach outside of criminal record sealing and expungement. Many of our clients are low-income and rely on other assistance programs, they are often in need of aid and advice on other matters. Since access to economic and social opportunities is directly connected to whether they have a criminal record, I often have clients looking for well-rounded and informed legal advocates. It is not uncommon for clients to ask for legal advice or assistance in matters related to employment and housing discrimination. As a result, I have become acquainted with matters involving public housing and Section 8 and anti-discrimination policies in federal employment. This way I can refer my clients and provide them with satisfactory resources. Thus, there is never just one “area” of the law that you are required to know. To be an adequate advocate in public interest law, I believe that you should educate yourself on the interacting and interconnected aspects of your job.  #EJAFellowUpdate @Equal Justice America @Greater Boston Legal Services @Northeastern University School of Law https://lnkd.in/e6UKi4Gm 

This summer, I will be providing updates of my internship with Philadelphia Legal Assistance, funded in part by Equal Justice America. Feel free to read along! #EJAFellowUpdate Three weeks ago, I started my internship at Philadelphia Legal Assistance in the Unemployment Compensation Unit. The last few weeks have truly been a crash course in litigation for myself and my fellow interns in the unit as we gear up for our first Unemployment Compensation Hearings. As I prepare my opening and closing statements, direct and cross examinations for my first hearing, I am drawing on what I learned this year in my Trial Advocacy courses. However, observing hearings in person has provided another layer to consider: learning your judge. The first week, we observed a hearing at the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth Court is a state appellate level court that hears cases involving government entities. The Commonwealth Court only has nine sitting judges and the morning we observed, there were three on the bench. The judges were active, directing attorneys to fast forward their arguments to particular points, summarize their prepared speech, or provide case law on the spot for gray areas of law. The three judges that morning each had very different approaches. Some were more active and direct with their questions than others. Understanding their styles and how they run the courtroom seemed key in a smooth presentation of the attorneys’ cases. Though I will not be arguing in front of the Commonwealth Court this summer, I plan on taking this knowledge to my Unemployment Hearings. Hearing/ trial prep is not just preparing openings, closings, crosses and directs. It’s also understanding who you will be arguing before and being able to adapt to the judge’s rhythm, so procedure does not overshadow your client's case. To support students doing legal aid work, consider giving to Equal Justice America: https://lnkd.in/eUPm939d.

Legal Aid of North Carolina had an incredible 2023, and what a joy it was to share a few of these milestones with the team. As impressive as 2023 was, we're already collaborating on some big projects to kick off 2024. More to come! #A2J #LegalTech #LegalInnovation #makelawbetter #collaboration

Access to legal representation is so much more than a matter of morals. Universal representation protects the widely shared American values of due process and fairness. It will be a long road to reach universal representation, which is why we are recruiting laywers to over 100 legal service providers across the country through our Unaccompanied Children Program. Explore our map of organizations at https://lnkd.in/e_zdxEcu

Last month, we facilitated two webinars via CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario / Éducation juridique communautaire Ontario) on relocating with children during divorce or separation. This series provides community workers with information and resources to support clients who are seeking to relocate with children or who have received a notice of relocation. 💡Learn more and watch part two: https://ow.ly/cwQC50QEmzb #FamilyLaw #Parenting

Hello LinkedIn Community, I'm looking to connect with organizations and individuals who help with legal action at the grassroots level. Whether you're part of a structured initiative or working informally as a first responder in your community, I would love to hear more about your work! I'm especially interested in: • 📜 Community Legal Advisors: Providing legal guidance and support to individuals facing legal challenges. • ⚖️ Paralegals and Legal Aid Workers: Helping bridge the gap between the legal system and the community. • 🏛️ Local Advocacy Groups: Advocating for legal rights and social justice, working to bring about change in hyper-local contexts. • 🤝 Pro Bono Lawyers: Donating time and expertise to support individuals and communities in need. • 📚 Legal Education Initiatives: Educating communities about their legal rights and how to navigate the legal system. Some Examples Could be: • 🏥 Community legal clinics offering free consultations and support to marginalized groups. • 📄 Paralegals assisting with documentation and representation in rural areas. • 📢 Advocacy groups pushing for policy changes and legal reforms at the local level. • 👩⚖️ Pro bono lawyers representing clients in critical cases without charge. • 🎓 Educational workshops teaching citizens about their legal rights and the judicial process. I would love to hear about your experiences, challenges, and successes. Please comment below or send me a direct message! #AccessToJustice #GrassrootsLegalAid #CommunitySupport #LegalRights #SocialJustice #ProBono #LegalEducation #Paralegals #Advocacy #LegalSupport

Last month, we facilitated two webinars via CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario / Éducation juridique communautaire Ontario) on relocating with children during divorce or separation. This series provides community workers with information and resources to support clients who are seeking to relocate with children or who have received a notice of relocation. 💡Learn more and watch part one: https://ow.ly/wvp350QzYZ4 #FamilyLaw #Parenting

Its an endeavour to provide opportunities and platform for the Young Advocates. Specially those who dont have any family background. The objective is more attainable when group have people like you Anushka Saraswat #lawstudents #lawyers #youngadvocates

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐭 🚀📊⚖️ We are excited to announce that the Connecticut Bar Foundation and Connecticut Data Collaborative have joined forces to conduct a comprehensive statewide Legal Needs Assessment. This collaboration aims to identify both the strengths and areas for improvement within Connecticut's legal system, ultimately leading to enhanced access to justice for all. Yesterday, we successfully held our first data literacy workshop with civil legal aid organizations from across the state. This workshop is a crucial step in our mission to empower these organizations with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively use data in their advocacy and service delivery. 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨: 📢Highlight what Connecticut is doing well in the realm of civil legal aid. 🔍Identify opportunities for system improvements. 📃Formulate recommendations to enhance access to justice for our communities. We are grateful to all the participants and stakeholders who are contributing to this important effort. Together, we are making strides towards a more equitable and just Connecticut. Connecticut Veterans Legal Center Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. New Haven Legal Assistance Association, Inc. Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Inc. Connecticut Fair Housing Center Center for Children's Advocacy Greater Hartford Legal Aid Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc. The Children's Law Center of Connecticut, Inc. LAWYERS FOR CHILDREN AMERICA INC Open Communities Alliance #AccessToJustice #DataLiteracy #LegalNeedsAssessment #Connecticut #CivilLegalAid #Collaboration

Pro Bono Report Presentation (04th May 2024) At its core, pro bono legal service embodies the noblest ideals of the legal profession – to serve as champions of justice, guardians of rights, and voices for the voiceless. It is a cornerstone of our shared commitment to ensuring that the promise of equal justice under the law is not merely an aspiration but a lived reality for every individual, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background. Throughout this competition, you will have the opportunity to present your pro bono projects, initiatives, or research findings to a panel of esteemed judges and your peers. Whether you have worked on legal aid clinics, community outreach programs, policy advocacy campaigns, or research projects, your presentations will highlight the innovative strategies, challenges overcome, and outcomes achieved through your pro bono endeavours. Event Structure: Team Event: Each team comprises of 2 members. Report (Docx and PDF) to be submitted by 30th April 2024 Paper Presentation (PPT) during the main event (04th April 2024) Registration Fees: Rs. 200 per team Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/eJ8BD9MR