DePaul Law News

DePaul law students win Whittier juvenile law competition

DePaul students Patrick Viktora and Kelly Olivier won Whittier Law School’s 17th Annual National Juvenile Law Moot Court Competition held February 3-4, 2012. They defeated a team from UC Hastings in the final round, and argued in front of former DePaul professor and founding dean of UC Irvine School of Law, Erwin Chemerinsky. The team’s first-place award was a $1,000 academic scholarship.

The competition problem focused on "child health through the lens of the foster care system." Teams explored legal issues relating to childrens' health and upbringing, including poverty and access to community resources.

Legal writing instructor Allison Ortlieb coached the team.

Photo: From left, Professor Jennifer Mertus, director of the Whittier Law School Center for Children's Rights; Patrick Viktora; Hon. Michael Nash, Los Angeles Superior Courts; Dean Chemerinsky; and Kelly Olivier.

 

Professor Sarnoff presents at Emory and Oxford Universities

On February 9^th, Professor Josh Sarnoff presented developing work on government choices for innovation in technology development and transfer as part of the Thrower Symposium at Emory University School of Law and on February 23^rd at St. Peter’s College, Oxford University.

Center for Public Interest Law Program to Address Race in Chicago: February 29 - March 1

The College of Law’s Center for Public Interest Law will bring together prominent historical and present voices to discuss race in Chicago on February 29 and March 1. With recent studies showing Chicago as one of the most segregated cities in our nation, the goal of the symposium is to promote awareness about Chicago’s history and current conditions with regard to people of color, especially in the areas of housing, education, and incarceration.

The conference will begin with a keynote discussion on February 29, 2012 at Holland & Knight, 131 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL. The discussion will feature Dr. Timuel Black, Virginia Martinez, and Adam Green, and will lay the historical framework for the remainder of the symposium. Those interested in attending the keynote discussion must RSVP to cpil@depaul.edu to gain entry to Holland & Knight. Appetizers and drinks will be served. 1.5 CLE credits will be offered for the keynote discussion.

The symposium will continue on March 1, 2012 at DePaul University, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8005, with three panel discussions, each focusing on the discreet issues of race and housing, education, and incarceration. The overarching tie between these conversations will be the importance of human rights, and how advocates can approach race issues from a human rights perspective. Moreover, not only will each panel offer action and volunteer opportunities, but the March 1 program will also include tabling with community organizers and prominent organizations fighting for racial justice in Chicago. Breakfast and lunch will be served on March 1, so please RSVP to cpil@depaul.edu. 4 CLE credits will be available for the March 1 portion of the program.

Click here to download a flyer listing the dates, times, and panelists. For more details, email cpil@depaul.edu.

The Pro Bono & Community Service Initiative teams with Veteran’s Assistance Service Organization to serve veterans

(Pictured: DePaul student, Dan Bishop, helps display valentine cards)

On Saturday, February 11, a group of 10 DePaul law students helped set up for the 2012 Valentines for Veterans Concert at the University of Illinois Chicago Forum. Valentines for Veterans concerts are an expression of appreciation and support for veterans from the VA and the local community. The DePaul volunteers set up hundreds of valentine cards that local schoolchildren wrote for the veterans who attended the concert. The volunteers also opened doors for guests and handed out carnations to veterans as they entered the event. Over 1000 veterans, their families, and members of the community attended the concert.

The celebration paid tribute to veterans, increased awareness of the needs of hospitalized veterans, and gave the public an opportunity to express their own appreciation for the veterans’ sacrifices.  The concerts are also a great way for veterans and their families to share time together.  Unfortunately, the divorce statistics of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom are staggering. The concerts bring awareness to this issue and help build corporate partnerships and sponsorships to promote the needs of veterans.

Volunteers from the College of Law’s Pro Bono & Community Service Initiative teamed with the Veteran’s Assistance Service Organization, a DePaul student group that works to increase the legal services offered to veterans in the Chicago area. VASO formed as a student organization last year at DePaul, and the group hopes to open a legal clinic at DePaul to serve veterans. The volunteer day was part of the Pro Bono & Community Service Initiative’s Donate-A-Day program.

For more information about the College of Law’s Donate-A-Day volunteer program, please contact Cheryl Price at cprice13@depaul.edu.

Panel of professors discuss the upcoming challenge to Arizona's controversial immigration law, SB 1070

(Pictured left to right: Professor David Franklin; Professor Daniel Morales)

On April 25, 2012, the Supreme Court will hear Arizona v. United States, one of the most publicized cases of the year. The Department of Justice is challenging four provisions of Arizona’s SB 1070 under the Supremacy Clause. The statute was enjoined by the Federal District Court and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed. Students, Professors and Administrators gathered on February 15 to hear Professor Daniel Morales, Assistant Professor of Law, and Professor David Franklin, Vice Dean and Associate Professor of Law, explain the issues surrounding the case and predict the potential outcome. 

Professor Morales highlighted the history of migration policy in the United States and argued SB 1070 is not necessary at this time; the federal government is prosecuting undocumented immigration at significantly high rates.

Professor Franklin explained the Department of Justice is challenging SB 1070 under implied pre-emption, meaning the state law poses an obstacle to federal law. Although not explicitly challenged on foreign policy grounds, a plausible case could be made for a facial challenge on foreign policy ramifications.

Ultimately, Professor Franklin predicted the case “may end with a whimper instead of a bang.” The Supreme Court may reverse and dismiss the case as premature, as the challenged provisions have yet to take place and the true effects remain unknown.

Alumni help increase access to justice through technology

By Susan Ritacca ('13) -- originally published in the Center for Public Interest Law "The Advocate" 

If you have researched Illinois law, chances are you encountered illinoislegalaid.org, the public portal for Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO). Used by trained advocates, students and the public alike, ILAO provides easy-to-understand legal guides in more than 30 areas of law. These resources are especially important to Illinois residents who do not qualify for legal aid but still cannot afford to pay for representation.

“By going online, people can search easily for answers to legal issues or chat with an operator. What we’re doing is providing resources and tools to put the law within reach,” explains ILAO Program Director Teri Ross (JD ’06).

In addition to the public site, members of the legal community can access volunteer opportunities, training and practice support on illinoisprobono.org; Illinois legal aid attorneys can visit illinoislegaladvocate.org for online tools and legal guides; and Spanish speakers can learn about Illinois law on ayudalegalil.org.

Since its founding in 2001, ILAO has been on the cutting edge of utilizing technology to increase access to legal services. Notably, ILAO was recently awarded both the Foundation for Improvement of Justice Award and the ABA’s Louis M. Brown Award for dedication to providing affordable legal information, services and representation to middle- and low-income individuals. 

Yet, for all of the accolades and accomplishments, the most remarkable thing about ILAO might be its dynamic staff of DePaul alumni. Working under the direction of Executive Director Lisa Colpoys and Teri Ross are Gwen Daniels (JD ’98), director of technology; Jed Untereker (JD ’06), legal content manager and internship director; and Stephanie Villinski (JD ’03), legal content manager.

ILAO currently dominates a niche market of free online legal services. A recent launch of mobile applications for iPads, iPhones and Androids further streamlines access to legal help for both pro bono volunteers and the public.

“There are common misconceptions about mobile and Internet use among low-income communities,” notes Ross. “The trend we’re seeing is that lower-income users are making up the fastest growing segment of the smartphone market. Mobile devices are the leveling factor in the digital divide.”

DePaul Grad Wins Major Ruling In Illinois Supreme Court

Heidi Lambros (JD '96) represents Stanley Wrice, a man who gave a coerced, and false, confession that led to his conviction and a 100-year sentence for a crime he says he did not commit.  In a major decision in Wrice's case, the Illinois Supreme Court decided that a physically coerced confession can never be considered "harmless error," and is thus grounds for relief.

A Chicago Tribune news story said this case had been "anticipated for months by the legal community." Lambros, who is an Assistant Defender at the Office of the State Appellate Defender, argued forcefully for her client, noting that the Court's decision is "critical to send a message that this type of egregious police misconduct will not be tolerated in Illinois.”  Lambros was honored with a rare award from DePaul's Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP).  Lambros' work is exactly the kind of work the LRAP seeks to promote and facilitate.

To donate to LRAP, please contact Shaye Loughlin, Executive Director of DePaul Center for Public Interest Law, at sloughli@depaul.edu.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: 3 Forms You Need to Know

On January 31, the Department of Education released the Employment Certification for Public Service Loan Forgiveness form. 

Student loan expert Heather Jarvis shares the news regarding documentation for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program on her blog:

"Folks in government and 501(c)(3) nonprofit service* can finally get that warm and fuzzy feeling that will come from the government saying “yes” your employment qualifies and “yes” you made x number of payments that count towards forgiveness.

Why This is Important
Student loan borrowers can earn Public Service Loan Forgiveness by making 120 of the right kind of payments, on the right kind of loans, while working in the right kind of job. But you also have to PROVE that you met all the requirements of the program. That’s where the paperwork comes in." 

Source: DePaul Law Career Services blog.

DePaul Partners with the ILSCCP to Launch Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program

On January 16, 2012, the Institute for Advocacy & Dispute Resolution launched a lawyer-to-lawyer mentorship program in partnership with the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. 

Sixteen experienced attorneys (six or more years) were matched with sixteen newly licensed attorneys for a year-long mentoring program. Both mentors and mentees will receive six professional responsibility CLE credits upon successful program completion.

This lawyer mentoring program creates opportunities for experienced lawyers to guide new lawyers in developing the practical skills and judgment to practice in a highly competent manner and to instill the ethical and professional values that characterize excellent lawyers.

For more information please contact the Program Administrator, Natalie Taylor, by email or phone: ntaylor4@depaul.edu or 312-362-8312.

DePaul Law & Graduate Students and Law Alumni Donate-A-Day with Ladder Up and Provide Needed Tax Assistance Preparation to Low-Income Families

(Pictured: DePaul alumna Susan Eckman ('11) and DePaul student Mathew Kerbis)

On Saturday, January 28 a group of about 15 DePaul law and graduate students joined forces to volunteer with Ladder Up, an organization that assists low-income families with preparing tax returns. Ladder Up was founded in 1994 and since then has returned $295 million to 148,000 clients.  The volunteer day was organized and sponsored by the College of Law’s Pro Bono & Community Service Initiative and UMIN in the Loop. 

Before volunteering, the students completed a Ladder Up tax preparer training at the College of Law on January 23.  At the training, students learned basic tax law and how to use Ladder Up’s tax software.  After the training, students completed an online certification test to assess their skills.  The volunteer workshop took place at Olive-Harvey Community College on the South Side of Chicago.  Volunteers worked in pairs to help college students, parents, the elderly and all other types of individuals with their returns.  Everyone involved found the day to be very rewarding. Not only did the volunteers have the opportunity to provide hands-on service to those in need, but they also gained some basic knowledge of tax law, an area of law they might not have encountered in their regular courses of study. Ladder Up encourages its volunteers to dedicate themselves to volunteering at a minimum of three workshops once they have been trained.  Volunteers can also receive intermediate training if they are interested in taking on leadership roles during the workshops.  This was the second year that DePaul has volunteered with Ladder Up.

For more information about the College of Law’s Donate-A-Day program, please contact Cheryl Price at cprice13@depaul.edu.