Tag Archives: Massachusetts

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Current Student Q&A: Julie Roberts ’13

From time to time we will be posting some great conversations with our students. This first session is with Julie Roberts, who is currently on her final co-op!

J.Roberts Headshot

Name: Julie Roberts
Class year: 3L

A little about Julie…

·         Where are you from?

I am originally from Wheeling, West Virginia. I attended undergrad at Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY where I studied film production and politics (I made political documentaries). After graduating in 2006, I moved to Santa Fe, NM.

 ·         What did you do before NUSL?

For four years prior to attending Northeastern University School of Law, I worked for the national nonprofit organization, Drug Policy Alliance, in Santa Fe. At Drug Policy Alliance, I worked with advocates, community organizations, state government employees, and elected officials to pass over a dozen innovative legislative initiatives.  I lobbied for the successful passage of legislation guaranteeing legal access to medical cannabis and establishing the first state-licensed production and distribution system to ensure patients receive a safe and secure supply of their medicine.  I fought for our nation’s first 911 Good Samaritan law, a law guaranteeing immunity from drug possession charges when people call 911 to save the life of an overdose victim.  I coordinated and worked with over a dozen community organizations to pass a statewide ban on bias-based policing, or racial profiling, in New Mexico. As I entered my fourth year at the organization, however, I felt a visceral need to continue to grow and learn as an advocate in order to improve the lives of the marginalized and underserved.

 ·         What do you do for fun outside of school?

Outside of law school, I prioritize spending time with my fiancé, Michael. We had never been to New England before, so we enjoy exploring Boston and other parts of the region, especially the beaches north of the city. I also hang out with my new law school friends at our favorite dive bar, Punters, which is right down the street from the law school. Additionally, I volunteer on the Board of Directors for an international nonprofit organization, Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

Julie’s NUSL experience…

·         Where have you co-oped?

Because I moved to Boston with my fiancé, I decided to complete all of my co-ops in the Boston area. My first coop was at Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights (LCCR) where I worked on race and national origin discrimination cases with a particular focus on voting rights. The co-op was a perfect balance of public policy advocacy, legal research and writing, and client communication. Next, I worked with Judge MacLeod at the Massachusetts Superior Court. I absolutely loved working in the courthouse. Throughout the co-op, I gained exposure to a range of legal issues (everything from medical malpractice to personal injury to sexually dangerous persons classifications) and observed lawyers in motion sessions and trials. For my third co-op, I worked for the Committee for Public Council Services (CPCS), Youth Advocacy Division (the public defender for juveniles) in Roxbury, MA. I originally came to law school with a predisposition towards criminal justice reform and criminal defense. Working for CPCS provided me with direct in-court experience representing juveniles during bail and arraignment hearings, which was challenging and incredibly fulfilling. Working for the public defender confirmed my excitement, passion and dedication to criminal defense, particularly working with indigent clients. For my last coop, I decided to pursue my interest in criminal defense and also gain new work experience by co-oping in a small law firm, Zalkind, Duncan and Bernstein. The law firm specializes in criminal defense and civil litigation, including employment discrimination, personal injury, academic cases, and family law cases. The co-op has been amazing so far and a great balance between criminal defense and civil litigation.

·      Are you involved in any student organizations? Did you participate in any clinics, moot court, law journal, etc.?

I enrolled in the Prisoners’ Rights Clinic during my Winter 2012 academic quarter. In the clinic, I represented a man serving a second-degree life sentence for murder during his parole release hearing. My client had been incarcerated for over twenty years. During the clinic, I visited my client in prison every week, collected and investigated records related to my client’s underlying offense and his life while incarcerated and prepared the overall legal strategy for his parole hearing. The clinic provided a great opportunity to work closely with a supervisor and get constant feedback on my work. This past winter quarter I was selected as a teaching assistant and supervised two clinic students in preparation for their clients’ hearings in the Spring of 2013.

Throughout law school, I maintained my interest in drug policy reform and advocacy through volunteer work.  In November 2011, I was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for Students for Sensible Drug Policy, an international nonprofit organization based in Washington D.C. that mobilizes and empowers young people to get involved in the political process. As a grassroots organization, our work is mainly achieved through hundreds of chapters established at colleges and universities across the world. Our student members are concerned about the impact drug abuse has on our communities, but also know that the War on Drugs is failing our generation and our society.

Based on this involvement at the national level, I then decided to co-found the law school’s chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy and currently serve as the co-President of the group. Through this student organization, I have helped to coordinate multiple meetings and events each quarter on topics ranging from medical marijuana in Massachusetts to harm reduction strategies to reduce the spread of HIV through injection drug use to the impact of drug war policies on communities of color. The group is also involved in policy change at the campus and state legislative level. In 2012 our group helped to pass a campus-wide ballot initiative that proposed equalizing the penalties between on-campus violations for underage drinking and marijuana use and possession. At the state level, our members promoted the passage of the Question 3 ballot initiative, which established a medical cannabis program in Massachusetts; our members have stayed involved in monitoring the regulatory process as the state Department of Public Health implements the new law. Our members also advocated for the passage of overdose prevention legislation, which was signed by Governor Deval Patrick last year. The new law includes a 911 Good Samaritan provision (providing immunity from drug possession charges when someone calls 911 during an overdose) and a provision authorizing the distribution and providing protection for the administration of the life-saving medication, naloxone, which immediately reverses an opioid (i.e., heroin, oxycodone) overdose. When lobbying state legislators for this bill, I had the opportunity to testify in front of the Massachusetts Joint Judiciary Committee. The leadership, educational and public policy opportunities I’ve gained through this student group have been an amazing aspect of my law school experience.

Life after NUSL…

·         What are your post-grad plans?

After graduating in May, I will stay in Boston and study for the Massachusetts bar exam. After taking the bar, I will be moving to Martinsburg, West Virginia for a federal clerkship in the Northern District of West Virginia. I am so excited for the opportunity to work at the trial court level and gain additional legal experience working in a federal court. The majority of cases that come before the judge are criminal cases, which is perfect for my interest in criminal defense. The civil cases are mainly prisoners’ rights and civil rights discrimination, which are both areas I am thrilled to explore. Following the one-year clerkship, I plan on looking for employment both in Boston and the Washington, D.C. area.

 ·         Did anything about your NUSL experience surprise you?

Attending NUSL has completely exceeded all of my expectations for a successful law school experience. I have made excellent friendships that will surely last for the rest of my life. I studied with amazing professors and was engaged and challenged by the range of curriculum offered at the school. I gained real world professional experience in four different legal jobs and a school-based clinic. I worked one-on-one with clients and got to make a difference in their lives. I pursued my passion for drug policy and continued to grow as an advocate for change.

Three years ago when I first started law school I knew I was embarking on a life-changing adventure, but I never could have guessed how amazing the experience would actually be. I am so thankful for the skills I gained at Northeastern and will forever be filled with gratitude for the amazing personal, academic and professional growth I experienced over the last three years.

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Faculty Post: The Downside of Discretion: Prosecutorial Overreaching in Boston?

courthouse, Boston

John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse, Boston (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Professor Daniel S. Medwed

I sincerely hope that you decide to join us in the Fall! One of the wonderful features of studying here is that Northeastern University School of Law faculty members often seek to share their research passions with you and work on joint scholarly projects.  I teach and write in the area of criminal law, with a special interest in the topics of wrongful convictions and prosecutorial ethics.  My recent book, Prosecution Complex: America’s Race to Convict and its Impact on the Innocent (NYU Press, 2012), explores how discretionary decisions by prosecutors can inadvertently contribute to the conviction of innocent because of cognitive biases and an overly-deferential regime of legal and ethical rules.  In Chapter One, “Charging Ahead,” I focus on how prosecutors might become consumed by “tunnel vision” after reviewing an arrest file and then develop a firm hypothesis of guilt despite evidence to the contrary.  This could lead to the filing of criminal charges against innocent suspects or, at a minimum, the filing of excessive charges in cases where the suspect may be “guilty” but perhaps not deserving of severe punishment.

In recent weeks, Carmen Ortiz, the chief federal prosecutor in Massachusetts, has come under attack for a series of dubious charging decisions in her office.  Most notably, observers have criticized her office’s vigorous pursuit of renowned internet activist Aaron Swartz for allegedly hacking into a proprietary database and disseminating legions of scholarly articles to the public.  The weight of the pending criminal charges may have played a role in Swartz’s decision to commit suicide earlier last year.  The publicity surrounding the Swartz matter has prompted investigative journalists and lawyers to dig deeper into her office’s practices — and the results are startling.  A joint investigation by the local NPR affiliate, WBUR, and the journal Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly exposed that Ortiz’s lieutenants have apparently sought indictments in a number of borderline cases.

Being a prosecutor is undoubtedly a tough job, among the toughest in the legal profession.  As a result, we must defer, on some level, to their exercise of discretion.  But deference does not necessarily mean acceptance.  We need to scrutinize the decisions of our nation’s top law enforcement officials to make sure they are not overreaching and exceeding the boundaries of their vast powers.  Please come to NUSL and help me do this!

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Prof. Daniel Medwed on Morning Edition about Ortiz

From WBUR: U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz was criticized for her office’s prosecution of Internet activist Aaron Swartz, who killed himself in January. (Elise Amendola/AP)

Northeastern University School of Law professor Daniel Medwed said it is shocking that a federal case could get out of the grand jury, let alone go to trial, without the prosecutor speaking to the alleged victims. The episode raises concerns about whether there are adequate checks and balances in the office, he added — something many critics of the Swartz prosecution noted as well.

“One of the jokes in New York is that they would indict a ham sandwich,” he said. “Well, here in Massachusetts, it seems a federal jury doesn’t even need the protein. It seems it would take only a couple of loaves of bread, given how flimsy and un-nutritious these cases were.”

–from WBUR‘s investigation of US Attorney Carmen Ortiz, “Ortiz Under Fire“

Prof. Enrich on Radio Boston

Prof. Enrich on Radio Boston

NUSL Professor Peter Enrich was on Radio Boston (WBUR) to talk about Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s new budget. From the show:

Gov. Deval Patrick is offering more specifics on his sweeping plan to raise income taxes and cut the sales tax, which he first outlined last week. This afternoon, the governor presented a $34.8 billion spending plan for the next fiscal year. There’d be more money for transportation and education and more aid to cities and towns.

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Faculty Blog: When Labor and Sports Collide

Mellon Arena, March 10, 2009

Mellon Arena, March 10, 2009 (Photo credit: AxsDeny; Courtesy of Creative Commons)

by Professor Roger Abrams
Richardson Professor of Law

As November progresses and hockey fans continue to lament the lack of a season, it’s hard not to think about labor strife in the National Hockey League. This is the third time in the short reign of Commissioner Gary Bettman that the fastest game on ice has been placed on hiatus by the owners. This dispute, like previous ones, is over a significant amount of money. The owners want a larger share of the multi-billion dollar pie baked by the athletes. However, no one can say that hockey players are not well paid. They are entertainers and, as such, are more than adequately compensated.

I teach Sports Law to upper level students at NUSL, and the course focuses on the relationships among players, unions, agents, leagues and owners. The principles of labor law and antitrust law thread throughout our class discussions. While many students take the course because we read cases involving baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and numerous other pastimes, the legal issues we address are quite challenging.

Over the past 15 years, I have been writing books and articles about the law and business of sports, learning, in the process, about the economics of the games we enjoy so much.  Much of my work focuses on social history, placing important legal issues into context. Sports mirror society in many ways. In class, we use a casebook I was invited to co-author, and I have been integrating social and business perspectives into the course materials. Students write a research paper for the course, and the best papers are often published in journals around the country.

I think you will find Northeastern University School of Law a place where you can learn the skills of lawyering in a supportive and diverse environment. From the first days of orientation until your graduation, you will be part of a community of bright men and women that is committed to excellence in legal education. You will be part of a team of winners. I hope you will consider joining us.

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Attention prospective law students! Boston forum this weekend!

An interior shot of the ICA Founders Gallery f...

An interior shot of the ICA Founders Gallery facing Boston Harbor, September 2, 2007. The ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) is one of Boston’s many cultural riches and is located just a few minutes’ walk from the Boston Forum location. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Come and meet us this Saturday from 11 AM to 4 pm at the Law School Admissions Council
Boston Forum at the Renaissance Waterfront Hotel!

NUSL alumnae, administrators, and admissions staff will be on hand to talk with you about what makes NUSL unique. Learn more about our innovative and distinctive Cooperative Legal Education Program, our warm and diverse community, our talented faculty, and our accomplished graduates. Ask a question about our admissions process, pick up some materials, and join our mailing list.

You can just show up, though you can also register in advance.

To recap:

WHEN: Saturday, November 17, 2012, from 11 AM to 4 PM

WHERE:

Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel
606 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210

WHY: Get your questions answered and learn more about NUSL (and many other law schools)

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An Addendum to 1L v. 2L

I preemptively submitted my blog post without really comparing 1L v. 2L. Whoops. Is the stress of upcoming finals getting to me?

Speaking of finals, one jarring difference between 1L and 2L is NO READING WEEK. Northeastern has retracted the hand that held us through our first year and now expects us to manage our time in a way that forces finals-preparedness the day after classes end. And deservedly so! No reading week forces efficiency in note-taking, attentiveness in class, and regular review of the law. I think its even possible that the absence of reading week has made me a better in-class participant!

A second difference between 1L and 2L is the new 1Ls. Weird, right? I don’t remember if my friends and I were like this, but 1Ls are extremely studious and have that study group thing down! There are hordes of 1L study groups in the library discussing the prior appropriation rights of water, the “this-just-doesn’t-feel-right” feeling of the Learned Hand formula, and how to establish personal jurisdiction over a non-resident. I’m just waiting until they get to the Erie Problem. [Evil laugh] Most of the time, the students are getting it right (at least, according to my memory!). I’m impressed. I don’t remember being that smart, especially at that stage in the game.

One thing I’ve really enjoyed about 2L is working as a Research Assistant for Professor Lucy Williams, who is absolutely brilliant. I am helping her research and summarize international cases to support her work with ISERP, the International Social and Economic Rights Project. I have been reading and condensing cases from the Constitutional Court of Colombia (in Spanish!) which have promoted and effectuated human, economic, and social rights. It has been so great to work closely with a professor and learn an area of law that isn’t directly accessible through the offered curriculum.

The last difference I want to talk about is class size. With the exception of the classes tied to the LSSC program, all of my 1L classes were large lectures of roughly 60 students. This year, none of my classes have more than 25 students. This means extra attention, extra focus, and the ability to treat discussion in a seminar fashion. Small classes really support the ways in which I learn, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to the discourse more frequently.

The downside of having smaller class sizes is having a smaller class AKA half of your class is on co-op. It’s weird not to see those people in your Law Office who you spent hours and hours with by choice (and sometimes, not by choice). I miss my 1L study group, most of whom chose the opposite rotation as I did; but, it is really fun to hear the things they are doing on co-op. For instance, one of my friends is writing opinions for a Justice on the Supreme Judicial Court in Massachusetts and another is working with the Innocence Project in New Orleans. And while they are picking classes, I’m gearing up for my next co-op. Stayed tuned for more info on that!

 

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Info session tomorrow night!

Northeastern University School of Law

 

Join us for an information session for prospective students!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 6:00-7:30 pm

Optional tours begin at 5 pm from the Office of Admissions (101 Knowles Building)

Northeastern University School of Law

250 Dockser Hall

400 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA

See our website for more information or contact us at (617) 373-2395.

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Good Day to be a NUSL Student

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley ...

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley speaking at Faneuil Hall in Boston (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Massachusetts Attorney General, Martha Coakley, delivered the keynote address to jump start the Pathways to Practice class. She spoke with us about her path to becoming the AG, issues of professionalism and ethics, and her 6 tips for success at our first co-op and in our future career. Not only was she extremely personable, knowledgeable, and intelligent, she is really funny too! I also loved her bright orange blazer.Bennett Klein, Senior Attorney and AIDS Law Project Director at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) spoke with my Constitutional Law class about the current fight for equal rights. He was counsel in Kerrigan & Mock v. Department of Public Health, GLAD’s 2008 victory in the Connecticut Supreme Court ruling that the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage is unconstitutional. Super informative and inspiring.

Great day to be a 1L at NUSL!

 

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NUSL in the News Lately

In case you haven’t kept up, NUSL in the news:

Offices of the International Criminal Tribunal...

Image of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda via Wikipedia

  • NUSL got a nice shout-out from the American Bar Association for recently winning the the Beacon Award for Diversity from the Boston Bar Association; the award “recognizes exceptional leadership in creating a more diverse and inclusive legal profession that has had a significant impact in Massachusetts and the Greater Boston area”
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