THE COLUMBUS SCHOOL OF LAW’S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
October 10 2014
Volume XIV, Issue 9
Inside this Issue:
Calendar of Events
Academic Affairs
Student Services
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
L AW S C H O O L C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S :
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 through SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
Friday, October 10
Alumni-Development Scholarship Luncheon @ 12:15 pm, Atrium
Upper Level Writing Seminar @ 4 pm, Room 204
Monday, October 13- Columbus Day. No Classes. Offices Closed. Library Open, 9 am – 11:45 pm
Tuesday, October 14 – Administrative Monday. Monday, not Tuesday, classes meet.
Wellness Month: Nutrition/Healthy Snacks in the Student Lounge!
Wednesday, October 15
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in session at CUA Law @ 10:15 am, Slowinski Courtroom
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and OCPD: Lunch with the Judicial Clerks @ 12:45 pm, Room 220
OCPD Open House, 3–4 pm, Suite 163
Street Law Mock Trial Mandatory Meeting @ 3:30 pm, Room 213
WLC presents Safety First: A Guide to Ensure a Safe Trip Home @ 5:30 pm, Room 217
Thursday, October 16
Academic Support: Pizza with the Dean’s Fellows @ 1 pm, Room 213
OCPD: Introduction to the Office of Career and Professional Development @ 3:15 pm, Room 205
Friday, October 17
DTP Initiation @ 11 am, Slowinski Courtroom
Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 19 – Reunion Weekend
Coming Soon…
Monday, October 20
Faith in Action Series: Letters from Terrance: Juvenile Life without Parole, Inmate Correspondence, and the
Quest for Human Dignity with Professor Cara Drinan @ 12:30 pm, Room 213. Pizza will be served.
Interfaith Prayer Gathering—Building Bridges @ 5:15 pm, Room 312C
Tuesday, October 21
Pro Bono: The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless Outreach Training @ 12 noon, Room 217
Wellness Month: T’ai Chi Class @ 12:15 pm, Room 220
Wednesday, October 22
SBA-SLSE Student Organization Senate Meeting @ 5:15 pm, Room 213
Thursday, October 23
Faculty Speaker Luncheon @ 12:10 pm, Room 220.
Faculty Meeting @ 3:15 pm, Room 220
Honor Board presents Behind the Curtain of Government Ethics @ 5 pm, Room 204. This program qualifies for
an honor education credit.
Friday, October 24: Mentor Reception with Ambassador Barshefsky has been moved to Friday, Nov. 7
Friday, October 24 - Saturday, October 25 – General and Securities Moot Court Competitions
Saturday, October 25
SBA Crabfest @ 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm, University Lawn.
Tuesday, October 28
Information Session on the Maryland Bar Application @ 4 pm, Room 307
Wednesday, October 29
Wellness Month: Drunk Driving Awareness on the Lawn
Securities Law Lecture: High Frequency Trading – What is it, and How does it Impact the Markets with Dr.
Gregg E. Berman, Associate Director of the Office of Analytics and Research, SEC @ 5 pm, Slowinski Courtroom. Reception to follow.
Thursday, October 30
SBA Pumpkin Carving Contest @ 4 pm, Atrium
Tuesday, November 4
Saint John Paul II Guild of Catholic Lawyers Monthly Meeting @ 12:45 pm, Room 312D
OCPD after Dark @ 5:30 pm, Student Lounge
Thursday, November 6
MNLSA and LPP Program present Domestic Drones: What the Latest Advancements in Aviation Technology
Mean to Security, Liability, Privacy, and Commerce @ 3 pm, Slowinski Courtroom
Friday, November 7—NOTE new date and time!
First Year Friday Reception: First Year Students and Alumni Mentor Reception with keynote speaker,
Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky ’75, Senior International Partner, WilmerHale, 5:30—7:30 pm, Atrium
Announcements
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Prof. Silecchia is seeking a research assistant to help with research on several
projects involving Catholic social thought and legal history/religious liberty. Interested students should send (1) a letter of interest; (2) an unofficial transcript;
and (3) a current resume to Prof. Silecchia at [email protected]
Outside Scholarship Opportunity
Cosmos Scholars Grant Program (Applications due 11/2/2014) The Cosmos Club Foundation’s Young
Scholars Grant Program provides grants to graduate students at local Washington-area universities to meet
unexpected and unsupported aspects of their work. There is no restriction as to academic field, but the project should be focused on objective scholarly research rather than commercial or political activity, social activism, or other non-academic goals. For more information see http://www.cosmosclubfoundation.org/
scholars/
Richard Linn American Inn of Court Mark T. Banner Scholarship (Applications due 11/12/2014)
Awards $5,000 payable for the Fall semester of second or third year of law school. The scholarship is open
to all students currently enrolled in a ABA accredited law school who are interested in pursuing a career in
intellectual property law, and are a member of a historically underrepresented group in IP law (including
race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability).
Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLC Diversity Scholars Awards (Applications due 12/12/2014) Awards a
scholarship of up to $2,500 to a deserving second year law student in each region where the Firm has offices.
These awards recognize the achievements of students who have demonstrated an interest in diversity. The
awards are made to students based upon academic achievement, commitment to diversity in the student’s
community, school or work environment; and personal achievement in overcoming challenges to reach his
or her goals.
Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship (Applications due 1/5/2015) Beginning September 15, 2014,
Banner & Witcoff will begin accepting applications for the Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship. The
scholarship is part of the firm’s commitment to fostering the development of intellectual property lawyers
from diverse backgrounds. Applicants must be a member of an historically under represented group, and
must have exemplary writing and oral communication skills.
* Check future editions of HeadNotes for more scholarship opportunities.
We are in room 340 of the Law School, from 9-5 daily, but until 7:00 pm on Tuesdays. You are always welcome to email us at [email protected]. We look forward to working with you.
Bart Himel, Financial Aid Coordinator
David Schrock, Director
Visit the
Law and Social Justice Initiatives
Web page:
http://law.cua.edu/lawandsocialjusticeinitiatives/
See our full calendar of Public Interest Events on the L&SJI Website
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, October 15 – 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM in Slowinski Courtoom. The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
will be in session at the law school.
Monday, October 20 – 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM in room 213. Faith in Action series: Professor Cara Drinan presents: Letters
from Terrance: Juvenile Life Without Parole, Inmate Correspondence, and the Quest for Human Dignity.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) is has recently announced the Spitzer Summer Internship Program. Up to
three law students will be awarded Spitzer Internships, with the positions divided among NHeLP's offices in Washington, DC, Carrboro, NC, and Los Angeles, CA. NHeLP seeks rising 2L or 3L students who have a proven and demonstrated
commitment to social justice and an interest in working toward the expansion and protection of health care access for
low-income and underserved populations.
Spitzer Interns who have completed their first year of law school will receive up to $5,000 for 10 weeks of work, and
those who have completed their second year of law school will receive up to $10,000 for 10 weeks of work. The specific
amounts will be determined on a case by case basis taking into consideration other funding that is available to the intern and restrictions that are attached to it.
To apply please send an email including a cover letter, resume transcript and writing sample to Gretchen Gaskill at [email protected]. Rising 3Ls must apply by November 8, 2014; rising 2Ls must apply by December 1, 2014. Please indicate "Spitzer Internship Application" in the subject line. Applicants are encouraged to indicate in their cover letters
the NHeLP office(s) for which they seek placement. For the full announcement, visit the following webpage: http://
www.healthlaw.org/about/job-opportunities/285-spitzer-internship
JOBS
AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) seeks a paralegal to work 20 hours per week during tax season 2015
and a few weeks beyond, to assist with LCE's Schedule H Tax Project. The salary is $22/hour. The position will begin on
January 5 and continue to May 22, 2015. LCE champions the rights of seniors by providing free legal services to lowincome DC residents age 60 and older.
Schedule H is a DC tax credit for low-income individuals with high housing costs, providing a benefit of up to $1,000 per
year. LCE's Schedule H Tax Project assists low-income seniors who do not need to file a full tax return. LCE staff and volunteers meet with clients, assist them with filling out the Schedule H forms, advise them regarding supporting documentation, and follow up with the Office of Tax Revenue regarding disposition.
The paralegal will be responsible for overseeing scheduling of appointments, maintaining a data base of clients, ensuring proper case file handling, and assisting with pro bono clinics. In addition, the paralegal will have the opportunity to
work directly with clients, assisting them with their Schedule H applications.
To apply, submit a resume and two references to Rochelle Bobroff, Senior Attorney for Systemic Reform, Legal
Counsel for the Elderly, rbobroff@aarp.<orgmailto:[email protected]>.
PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES
Short-term and longer-term pro bono projects are listed on the CUA Law Pro Bono TWEN page. You also may create
your own pro bono project. We encourage you to take the Pro Bono Challenge. Through the Pro Bono Challenge,
CUA students pledge to complete varying levels of pro bono service during their three or four years of law school.
Students can pledge at any of the following levels and will be recognized accordingly:
One pro bono project of any duration
25 hours of pro bono (Pro Bono Service Honors Certificate; notation in graduation bulletin)
50 hours of pro bono (Outstanding Pro Bono Service Honors Certificate; graduation bulletin)
75+ hours of pro bono (Exceptional Pro Bono Service Honors Certificate; graduation bulletin)
Here are typical projects:
The Homeless Family Outreach Project relies on volunteers to reach out to families who have no safe
place to sleep at night who are seeking emergency shelter. By circulating flyers and speaking one-on-one with
families at the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE), volunteers advise
families of the right to shelter and other important rights during hypothermic or severe weather conditions.
Volunteers also provide families with contact information of local elected and appointed officials so that they
can speak to decision-makers about their needs. Finally, volunteers connect to the Legal Clinic families who
believe they have been unlawfully denied shelter or who
have suffered from other legal violations so that an attorney can try to assist them.
COMMITMENT: Outreach opportunities are available in two shifts Monday – Thursday: 8:00 – 9:30 AM and
3:00 – 4:30 PM, with more intensive coverage during the hypothermia season (November 1 through March
31). Volunteers are asked to sign up for shifts ideally once every two weeks, although an alternate arrangement may be made if you want to volunteer but can only do so less frequently.
Location: The Virginia Williams Family Resource Center, 920A Rhode Island Avenue, NE. Accessible one Metro
stop down the Red Line at Rhode Island Ave – Brentwood.
TRAINING: Volunteers must attend a training before volunteering. There will be a training at the Columbus
School of Law on Tuesday, October 21, from 12 – 1 PM, in Rm. 217.
The training will cover various topics, including the severe weather provisions of the HSRA (Homeless Services
Reform Act), which provide a legal right to shelter in freezing temperatures; the District’s Winter Plan (how
the District will implement such provisions); and communicating effectively during outreach.
IF INTERESTED: If you would like to learn more about the opportunity by attending this training:
1. Sign up on the CUA Law Pro Bono TWEN page.
2. For more information, contact the Legal Clinic’s volunteer coordinator at [email protected] or call
(202) 328-1263.
CUA
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
Columbus School of Law
Columbus Community Legal Services
Washington, DC 20064
202-319-6788
Fax 202-319-6780
CLINIC PRE-REGISTRATION FOR SPRING SEMESTER 2015
Columbus Community Legal Services is currently accepting pre-registration applications for the
Spring Semester. CCLS offers four clinical courses: the Families and the Law Clinic (FALC),
the General Practice Clinic (GP), the Advocacy for the Elderly Clinic (AFE), and the Consumer
Protection Project (CPP). Evening students receive preference for enrollment in AFE.
Participation in a CCLS clinical course offers students the opportunity to learn practical trial
techniques, refine research and writing skills, and develop other important lawyering skills while
representing real clients in real cases. Students may satisfy both their professional skills
requirement and one writing requirement by completing a semester at CCLS if enrolled for 6
credits.
The spring semester pre-registration deadline is Tuesday, November 4 at 5:00 p.m. CCLS
will notify students of the results of the pre-registration process via e-mail by 5 p.m. on
Thursday, November 6. Successful pre-registrants must then officially register through the law
school registration process which is slated to begin on November 6 for 3D’s and 4E’s, and on
November 13, for all other students. This process guarantees successful pre-registrants a spot
in the applicable CCLS course.
Students may pick up a copy of the pre-registration form from the envelope on the CCLS bulletin
board which is adjacent to the Career Services office or by visiting the CCLS office in room 139.
For additional information about CCLS, please contact the CCLS Managing Director, Paul
Kurth, via e-mail at [email protected] or by calling (202) 319-6783.
Real Cases – Real Clients
Did you know CUA has a nationally ranked clinical program
which includes in-house legal clinics staffed by CUA law
students and that enrollment is available for academic credit
under the supervision of the office’s professors and supervising
attorneys?
Families and the Law Clinic
General Practice Clinic
Advocacy for the Elderly Clinic
Consumer Protection Project
***Students who enroll for 6 credits may use
enrollment in a CCLS clinic to satisfy the writing
portfolio and skills requirement.
DEADLINE TO PRE-REGISTER FOR
ENROLLMENT IN THE SPRING IS NOV. 6.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
PRE-REGISTRATION PROCESS, PLEASE STOP
BY THE CCLS OFFICE IN ROOM 139.
For more information, please visit http://clinics.law.edu/CCLS.cfm.
Community Engagement Project
This Project is sponsored by the DC Consortium of Legal Services Providers. The Consortium's mission is to
coordinate the delivery, expand the availability, and improve the quality of legal services and advocacy for lowincome and disadvantaged people in the District of Columbia.
The purpose of the Project is to learn from low-income DC residents about the challenges they face and the
barriers that prevent them from overcoming poverty. We will be asking community members about specific
legal needs and about challenges and concerns beyond traditional “legal” categories they have. The survey is
based on what 114 people told us about their problems.
Time spent on this project will count for Pro Bono hours. The training will take place in the CCLS library.
CCLS is located next door to OCPD on the first floor near the student lockers.
TIME:
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
PLACE:
Catholic University School of Law
Columbus Community Legal Services (CUA legal clinic)
3602 John McCormack RD NE
Room 150 (ground floor, ring the bell to be admitted)
OTHER:
For the Saturday session:
We will start the training promptly at 1:00, please arrive a little early. Lunch will be provided
starting at 12:30. Please let us know in advance if you will be attending this session.
If you have questions, please send an email to Faith Mullen at [email protected] or call her at
(202) 319-6613. Thank you, and we hope to see you there.
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
and OCPD invite you to have
Lunch with the Judicial Clerks
Thomas Ashton, Judicial Clerk
Melanie Jasinski, Attorney & Senior Judicial Clerk
Kristina Wolf, Judicial Clerk
Learn about judicial clerkships and what it is like to
clerk for a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims.
Wednesday, October 15th
@ 12:45 pm - Room 220
Pizza, salad and drinks will be served.
Please contact the Office of Student Life and Special Events at 202-319-6126 to request disability accommodations.
STREET LAW MOCK TRIAL
MANDATORY MEETING
Save the Date
Wednesday, October 15 at 3:30 p.m.
Room 213
We will be assigning coaching teams, schools, and the case packet.
We will also be going over what needs to be done this semester so
that we can have a successful competition in March. You do not
need to have signed up before. You can sign up at this meeting.
Please e-mail Sarah Waters, at [email protected], for
more information or if you cannot attend.
Hypothermia Outreach Training
Who: All class years welcome, flexible weekday pro bono opportunity
When: October 21, 2014, 12:15 - 1pm
Where: Room 217
Why: The Homeless Family Outreach Project relies on volunteers to reach out to
families who have no safe place to sleep at night who are seeking emergency
shelter. By circulating flyers and speaking one-on-one with families at the Virginia
Williams Family Resource Center (920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE), volunteers
advise families of the right to shelter and other important rights during
hypothermic or severe weather conditions. Volunteers also provide families with
contact information of local elected and appointed officials so that they can speak
to decision-makers about their needs. Finally, volunteers connect to the Legal
Clinic families who believe they have been unlawfully denied shelter or who have
suffered from other legal violations so that an attorney can try to assist them.
Pizza Lunch will be provided.
Sign up now: Space is limited. Please sign up on the Pro Bono TWEN page.
Contact: Any Questions? Janaye Guinn [email protected]
We hope to see you there!
Youth Court
Interested in trial advocacy?
Want to handle real cases?
This Program gives law students the opportunity to work with
federal prosecutors and high students in teaching the students to
prepare and present a case. Trial prep is done with the kids and
then they go present the full trial from opening to closing with their
peers as their clients.
First Meeting: October 22, 2014, at 3:15 p.m
Where? Friendship Collegiate Academy (right across
from a Metro station or can join carpool)  4095
Minnesota Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20019
Please contact Sarah Waters, at
[email protected], for more information
and the short application
Asian Pacific
American Law
Student
Association
Interested in networking events in the DC area?
Interested in legal issues relating to the Asian-American community?
Like Happy Hours?
Don’t miss out on the fun and become a member of APALSA
TODAY! Please email Mr. Russell Hsiao at
[email protected]!
Also….If you sign up now, you will be able to participate in a private
event for DC-APALSA members that will be held on October 18th
(Saturday) at Capitale, the best night club in DC! We look forward
to have YOU join us at this event!
WRITING COMPETITIONS
Description and details on all of the writing competitions, fellowships and scholarships mentioned can be viewed in Suite 341
(Ask for the Writing Competition Folders.)
TITLE
DEADLINE
AWARD
ASECA Securities Writing Competition
November 15, 2014
$5000, $3000, $2000
American College of Consumer Financial
Services Lawyers 2015 Writing Competition
December 1, 2014
$2,500, $2,000, $1,000
17th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative
Writing Competition
January 6, 2015
$5,000, $1,500
First Annual Jameson Crane III Disability
And the Law Writing Competition
January 15, 2015
$1,500, $1,000, $1,000
Pacific Legal Foundation
Law Student Writing Competition
January 16, 2015
$2,000 $1,000
2014-2015 California Criminal Law Section
Student Writing Competition
February 28, 2015
$1,500, $500
Beveridge & Diamon Constitutional
Environmental Law Writing Competition
April 6, 2015
$2,000