This one-semester, three-credit practicum offers students the opportunity to be part of an exciting collaboration between Boston University School of Law and the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality (“Korematsu Center”). Students in the practicum will engage in the theory and praxis of community lawyering by engaging in legal projects with and for community-based partners. In alignment with the traditions of community and movement lawyering, the practicum directors and students will work in partnership with people who are directly impacted by racism and oppression and who are organizing towards liberatory solutions.
Visiting Lecturer and Clinical Instructor Caitlin Glass and Professor Robert Chang of the Korematsu Center will co-generate students’ racial justice project assignments. Through the practicum, students will work closely with the Korematsu Center and community-based organizations on research, advocacy, and policy projects aimed at combatting subordination and advancing liberation for all. Projects may include amicus briefs, direct representation, white papers, policy reports, fact sheets, public education projects, legislative testimony, or research memos.
FACULTY
STUDENTS TAKE THE FOLLOWING COURSE
Antiracism and Community Lawyering Practicum: LAW JD 957
3 credits
THIS CLASS IS RESTRICTED to students who have formally applied to and been accepted to the Practicum. The Antiracism and Community Lawyering practicum will be offered in collaboration with the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality ("Korematsu Center"). The practicum will train students in the tradition of "rebellious lawyering," and provide them with real-world opportunities to support racial justice projects in collaboration with community partners. Through the practicum, students will work closely with the Korematsu Center and community-based organizations on research, advocacy, and policy projects aimed at combatting subordination and advancing liberation for all. Projects may include amicus briefs, direct representation, white papers, policy reports, fact sheets, public education projects, legislative testimony, or research memos. In alignment with the traditions of community and movement lawyering, the practicum directors and students will work in partnership with people who are directly impacted by racism and oppression and who are organizing towards liberatory solutions. NOTE: This practicum counts toward the 6 credit Experiential Learning requirement. GRADING NOTICE: This course does not offer the CR/NC/H option.
SPRG 2024: LAW JD 957 A1 , Jan 18th to Apr 18th 2024
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
In the Spring of 2024, the practicum will be open to students in the ASPIRE (Antiracist Scholars for Progress, Innovation, and Racial Equity) program. In the 2024-25 academic year, the practicum will be open to all 2L and 3L law students, though priority will be given to applicants from the ASPIRE program.
What skills can students expect to learn?
Students can expect to learn about the theory and practice of movement lawyering and community lawyering. Since projects will be generated by and with community partners, practice-based assignments will vary. Examples of skills that students might learn in a given semester include coalition-based advocacy, communicating legal concepts audiences of non-lawyers, brief-drafting, legal research, and interviewing.
Who does this practicum seek to support?
This practicum seeks to provide legal support to community-based organizations and other movement partners who are engaged in social justice advocacy.
What kinds of projects can students expect to undertake?
Examples of potential projects include: contributing to amicus briefs and litigation supporting social justice movements; drafting fact sheets, policy reports, or other advocacy documents; compiling research memos for/answering legal questions from community partners.
