Yale Bulletin and Calendar

February 14, 2003|Volume 31, Number 18

Event highlights alternative approaches to law

The Rebellious Lawyering Conference, the nation's largest student-run public interest law conference, will be held Friday-Sunday, Feb. 21-23, at the Law School.

Rebellious Lawyering is an annual gathering that brings together practitioners, law students and community activists from around the country to discuss innovative and progressive approaches to law and social change. Now in its ninth year, the conference highlights non-traditional methods of legal and quasi-legal representation, such as grassroots organizing, as well as alternative ways to impact litigation, direct services and criminal defense.

This year's conference features 11 panels representing a range of different progressive social issues and social justice concerns. Topics include the Bush administration's energy policy, violence against animals and its links to violence against women, immigrant workers' rights, the anti-death penalty movement during the war against terrorism and the future of feminism. In addition, several smaller workshops focus on military recruitment at college campuses, law school faculty diversity, lobbying basics, courtroom advocacy for children, and international law and human rights.

The conference will feature an opening address by Maria Blanco, national senior counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, who will discuss "Post 9/11 and Civil Rights in a Global Society." Blanco is actively involved in immigrant rights, women's rights, educational equity and employment discrimination as a lawyer, policy analyst and community advocate. Most recently, she led legislative efforts in California to obtain higher education opportunities for undocumented students. Her talk will be on Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. in Rm. 127 of the Law School, 127 Wall St.

Following the opening address, there will be a screening of "Fighting for Life in the Death Belt" and a discussion with filmmakers Jeff Marks and Adam Elend of E.M. Productions at 8:30 p.m. in Rm. 127. The film profiles Steven Bright, a visiting lecturer at the Law School who is also the director of the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta. Bright is known for his work in advocacy for death-row prisoners and anti-death penalty activism.

The keynote address, "With Justice for All," will be presented by Morris Dees, founder and chief trial counsel of the Southern Poverty Law Center, on Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. The center is a non-profit organization that combats hatred, intolerance and discrimination through education and litigation. Dees founded the center in 1971 and now devotes his time to suing violent white supremacist groups and developing ideas for "Teaching Tolerance," the center's educational project. His latest book, "Gathering Storm: America's Militia Threat," warns of the danger posed by today's militia groups.

Conference registration is $20, which may be reduced in case of hardship. The registration fee covers a potluck dinner, to be held on Saturday night. A reception Friday night will be sponsored by the National Lawyers' Guild. Attendees may register up to the day of the conference or in person.

Both the film on Friday night and the keynote address on Saturday night are open to the public and free of charge.

To register online, go to http://islandia.law.yale.edu/reblaw. For more information about the conference, e-mail alexandra.block@yale.edu. Registration forms and checks may be mailed to Rebellious Lawyering Conference, Yale Law School, P.O. Box 208215, New Haven, CT 06520-8215.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Stamp honors legendary Yale football coach

New test proves better than SAT at predicting college success

Peers and players applaud Meredith's winning ways

CBS executive talks about TV news in 'a world of infinite choice'

Event highlights alternative approaches to law

School of Architecture exhibit showcases design team's work

Katz and Katz bringing talents to Kramer Initiative programs

Terry Lectures examine human quest to exorcise 'demons'

Production of rarely seen play celebrates expatriates' collaboration

Yale physician contributes to artist's show linking art and science

Program Honors Accident Victims

Dwight Hall names two new staff members

Yale Books in Brief

Campus Notes