Join us for a lunchtime conversation with Professor Leatherbury on his work with the Texas Access to Justice Commission and the broader effort to expand meaningful access to legal services across Texas. The discussion will cover the Commission’s role in addressing gaps in civil legal representation, ongoing initiatives to support underserved communities, and the practical and ethical challenges of improving access to justice in today’s legal landscape. This is a great opportunity for students interested in public interest law, professional responsibility, and the real-world impact of legal institutions to hear directly from a leading figure in the field and engage in an informal Q&A. Lunch will be provided to those who RSVP.
ACS Presents: First Things First: A Discussion on the First Amendment & the Rule of Law
The rights protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution are essential for the proper functioning of a responsive democracy. Too frequently, the First Amendment’s core freedoms are ignored or weaponized to suit the political and policy priorities of those in power. The U.S. Supreme Court inconsistently applies longstanding First Amendment jurisprudence, ignoring precedents they deem inconvenient. The Administration targets those whose speech it disfavors, from law firms to private individuals. State and local governments are quick to criminalize protected protest activity to stifle dissent and chill social movements. These actions raise important questions as to whether our legal and political systems can safeguard First Amendment rights for all, or whether skewed and selective application of these freedoms will become the norm.
Join us in room 5042 on Monday, March 2nd at 12:00PM for a discussion on recent challenges to the First Amendment from our courts, the presidency, and through the media with Professors Mary-Rose Papandrea, Micheal Gerhardt, and David Ardia, moderated by Professor Bill Marshall.
A Conversation with Hampton Dellinger: Former Head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
Join GPIA and ACS for a conversation with Hampton Dellinger about his career in the Federal Government. Hampton is the former Special Counsel of the United States, heading the office that oversees merit protections for most federal employees, adjudicates claims of malfeasance made by whistleblowers in federal agencies, and enforces good government provisions like the Hatch Act. Prior to OSC, he worked at the Office of Legal Policy at DOJ and in various roles in private and public practice in North Carolina and DC. Reach out to hunter.morgan@duke.edu if you have any questions. Please RSVP here: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_81jv1Tk8Qh2aR8y.
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Training
DU's ACS and ACLU Student Chapters are collaborating with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, https://coloradoimmigrant.org/, to provide in-person training on Saturday, February 28th, at DU Law.
This is a meaningful opportunity to stand in solidarity with immigrant community members and gain hands-on training that makes a real impact. Whether you’re interested in rapid response work or supporting families directly, there is a role for you. CIRC staff are fielding a lot of training requests, and so please only sign up if you can commit to the training day and time.
Volunteer Roles Include:
Docuteam Volunteers (Spanish required)
DocuTeam members support families that have loved ones in detention, and it is a longer-term commitment.
Confirmer Volunteers (Spanish helpful, not required)
Confirmers respond to reports of suspected ICE sightings and help verify whether ICE activity is occurring so that accurate information can be shared with the community.
The ACS Tampa Lawyer Chapter is hosting its next Grounds for Discussion on Saturday, Feb 28, at 10 am. Professor Jeffrey D. Swartz will be leading the discussion.
Topic TBD (depending on pending cases before the Supreme Court and current events).
Featuring:
Jeffrey D. Swartz, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Cooley Law School
Detroit Institute of Arts Tour
Join ACS on February 27 for a guided tour of the Detroit Institute of Arts, followed by an evening of engaging discussion, community, and learning, centered on Detroit’s industrial history and other significant periods in art history.
Admission is free for all Wayne State University students.
We will meet in the law school lobby at 5:30 PM and depart around 5:45 PM.