Hinkley residents prevail in challenge to open-air sludge compost facility
Helphinkley.org – April 28

A group of residents in Hinkley, the rural California town Erin Brockovich made famous in a landmark case against a utility for contaminating the local water supply, has won another environmental case--this time against the county, for its approval of a proposed open-air sewage sludge compost facility. HelpHinkley.org and the Center for Biological Diversity were represented by the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment (CRPE). Participating CRPE attorneys included Caroline Farrell and Ingrid Brostrom [2006 Equal Justice Works Fellow]. "We are encouraged that the judge saw matters our way," CRPE's Brostrom says. "We hope that the county takes this opportunity to provide Hinkley residents with the same level of protection that is already required in other areas."

LI contractor bill underscores immigration fight
By Reid Epstein, Newsday – April 27

A controversial proposal to require Suffolk's 16,077 licensed contractors to verify their employees' working status poses a political dilemma for many county lawmakers. Beedenbender's bill is one of scores nationwide that state and local governments have considered since Congress last year failed to pass the immigration reform bill that would have provided a path to citizenship for the nation's estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants, said Laureen Laglagaron, a policy analyst at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute in Washington [and 2005 Equal Justice Works Fellow].

June ruling expected on housing transfer
By Zach Patberg, Asbury Park Press – April 26

A judge will likely decide in June whether to approve the second half of a deal by Toms River to send $5.8 million in affordable housing money to Lakewood, according to the lawyers involved in the agreement. Adam Gordon, an attorney with the Fair Share Housing Center [and 2006 Equal Justice Works Fellow], has been particularly adamant about not permitting Toms River to outsource part of its obligation to Lakewood.

Bartenders serve up drinks, customs checks
By Maria Sacchetti, The Boston Globe – April 24

All the 33-year-old illegal immigrant wanted was a beer. After nearly a decade in this country, the Irish national knew to steer clear of police and federal agents. But he was stunned this month when a bartender at the Orpheum refused to serve him because his passport lacked a US Customs stamp. “Asking a bartender to go above and beyond and check the federal government's stamp of approval and make a determination of whether it's valid is ridiculous," said Anjali Waikar, a lawyer with the ACLU of Massachusetts [and 2006 Equal Justice Works Fellow].

Property owners sue over plan for development
By Hilary Funk, The Montgomery Advertiser (AL) – April 23

Neighboring property owners claim a developer's plans for a parcel of land in east Montgomery would put too many homes in too small a space. The legal question was whether Montgomery's powers of extra-jurisdictional zoning trumped Pike Road's powers of subdivision regulation for county property. Written by 2006 AmeriCorps Attorney Hilary Funk.

Congress hammers out breaks for homeowners
By Martin A. Vaughan, The Wall Street Journal – April 23

Yale is one of more than 100 law schools nationwide that offers to forgive student debt, as an incentive for graduates to work for the government or a nonprofit when they graduate. But law students should be aware of possible tax consequences of such a gift, says Heather Jarvis of Equal Justice Works, an organization to promote public-interest law. "It's an unsettled area of tax law," Ms. Jarvis says. Most schools have structured their programs so that the loan amounts forgiven wouldn't be treated as income, she said. But a 2006 court decision threw some doubt on whether law-school programs qualify for a tax exclusion."

An explosive question: Is YouTube dangerous?
By Conor Berry, Berkshire Eagle (MA) – April 21

YouTube is a powerful tool that can be used for good or bad. For enlightenment or entertainment. For fighting crime or, in some cases, inciting crime. And the debate over its merit as a cultural force is just getting started. "Every time a new communication medium has been introduced, society has taken some time to figure out what the rules of that medium should be," said Catherine Crump, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union in New York [and 2005 Equal Justice Works Fellow]. "This is a period of growing pains, so to speak."

California groups urge feds to prevent foreclosures
By Kevin Stein, The San Francisco Bay View – April 20

As the foreclosure crisis worsens, the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) is proposing rules to restrict abusive mortgage lending practices. While this is a good step, 32 California groups, led by the California Reinvestment Coalition, assert that not enough is being done to help working families and their neighborhoods. "The Fed's proposed rules would exclude a number of loans that have been used in predatory practices from regulation," said Noah Zinner, staff attorney and Equal Justice Works/Morgan Miller Blair fellow with Bay Area Legal Aid.

Toms River asks to expedite money transfer in deal
By Zack Patberg, The Asbury Park Press – April 19

With 72 new affordable-housing units approved, and their finance, construction and resident pool taking shape, the next hurdle in a Toms River-Lakewood deal is paying for the rehabilitation of 72 existing homes. FSHC attorney [and Equal Justice Works Fellow] Adam Gordon appealed an approval from the state Council on Affordable Housing, and he said an appeal of Grasso's March 31 decision is likely. "There are people ready to put shovels in the ground and Toms River is blocking them," Gordon said. "That's why we're involved in this."

Settlement aids insured in program: Children to benefit, lawyer in case says
By Jason Rosenbaum, Columbia Daily Tribune (Missouri) – April 17

Missouri would have to give notice to families and allow for appeals before removing individuals from the state’s children’s health insurance program, according to a lawsuit settlement awaiting approval by a judge. Reached earlier this year, the settlement would affect thousands of children whose families pay a premium to participate in the MO HealthNet for Kids program. …"This settlement is a significant victory for the tens of thousands of low-income working Missouri families who are in desperate need of medical assistance. We are very pleased that Missouri has chosen a prompt settlement over time-consuming and costly further court proceedings and, with the ongoing oversight of the court, we are confident that the settlement will benefit Missouri’s low-income families," Laura Redman, an attorney for the National Center for Law and Economic Justice [and Equal Justice Works Fellow], said.

Op-ed: Disaster housing
By Sarah Bookbinder, The New York Times – April 17

Mississippi Cottages are a model for disaster housing that is both attractive and comfortable for Mississippi residents who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina. But more important, these cottages are extremely safe and durable. The cottages have good indoor air quality and were built under stringent formaldehyde restrictions. Unlike trailers or motel rooms, the cottages were designed as long-term solutions for displaced families who were unable to relocate or rebuild. We hope local communities will put these homes to use. Sarah Bookbinder is an Equal Justice Works Fellow for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights.

Career spotlight: Virginia Hamner
By Rachel Attal, University of Florida College of Law Weekly – April 14

For some people it’s just in their blood. This is the case for Virginia Hamner and her passion for women’s rights. The busy law and master’s student continued volunteering with FILS during the school year and then became an Equal Justice Works Fellow at FILS upon graduation. She said she was thrilled to become an Equal Works Fellow because it "created my dream job." The program allowed her to combine her passion of representing the rights of incarcerated women and litigation. "Being able to know I’m a representative of some of the people who are the most voiceless is very powerful," she said.

Interest groups, carriers spar over text messaging
By Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine – April 14

Technology interest groups on Monday renewed their call for FCC oversight of text message practices. Providers like Verizon and AT&T shot back, and accused the groups of not understanding the technology. Jeff Pearlman, an Equal Justice Works Fellow at Public Knowledge who wrote the group's original petition, said that there are two different types of short codes – standard and premium rates. "Our petition doesn't deal with premium codes," he said.

Higher pay puts older workers on firing line
By Barbara Rose, The Chicago Tribune – April 14

Older workers are more vulnerable to losing their jobs than younger ones when companies cut costs. They know this instinctively, even though the law of the land forbids age-related discrimination. Former EEOC Vice Chairman Paul Igasaki [and Deputy CEO for Equal Justice Works] called this cost issue the "fault line" in age-discrimination cases, the divide where protection falls away.

Compost study incomplete: Feasibility of enclosing facility, source of water needs analysis
By Jason Smith, Desert Dispatch (CA) – April 12

A judge's ruling issued Friday found portions of the environmental review of a contested composting facility to be built near Hinkley will have to be redone before development proceeds. The proposed facility would ferment waste, including human waste, to form compost. Ingrid Brostrom, an attorney [and 2006 Equal Justice Fellow] with the Center for Race, Poverty and the Environment, which represents Hikley residents, applauded the decision. “Of course we are happy about the decision and we are encouraged that the judge saw matters our way,” she said. “Clearly we hope that when the county does its further analysis they will realize that an enclosed facility is feasible and is the best route to take.”

And justice for all
By Alicia Duplessis, NewWave (Tulane University) – April 9

Among the biggest challenges to honoring the nation’s promise of “justice for all” are the numerous financial and professional obstacles preventing young attorneys from helping underserved populations. Last month, Kristin Wenstrom, who is in her third-year at Tulane Law School, and Morgan Williams, who graduated in December 2007, were notified of their acceptance into the fellowship program sponsored by Equal Justice Works, a nonprofit organization that fosters the next generation of public-interest lawyers.

My senior year
By Samuel Martin, The Mockingbird Times – April 2008

I have been dealing with an issue of what my legal status is as far as foster care is concerned. I am in kinship care and my grandmother had custody of me but she passed away so what is my dependency status? This is what Casey Trupin and Erin Shea [Equal Justice Works Fellow] with Columbia Legal Services have been working on with me for the past few months. They have been great in working with me and helping me figure this out in a time that is tough already.

Op-Ed: Padavan put mayor's nod ahead of school reviews?
By David Palmer, New York Daily News – April 8

To reduce classroom overcrowding, Mayor Bloomberg is leasing contaminated former factories to be public schools. Siting schools on contaminated properties is risky. Exposure to toxic chemicals can lead to behavioral problems, learning disabilities and decreased IQ. It also has been linked to certain cancers. Written by David Palmer, Equal Justice Works Fellow and staff attorney at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.

The Katrina Docket Interview Project
By Annette Graumann, BLS Spring Break Gulf Coast Blog – April 8

The Katrina Docket Interview Project is run by New Orleans attorneys Mary Howell and Morgan Williams [Equal Justice Works board member]. The goal of this project is to draft a report on the state of justice-oriented litigation that has been brought in the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina. This report is intended to serve a reference tool for attorneys and other professionals interested in the many social and legal issues that arose as a consequence of the disaster.

AU Washington College of Law succeeds where lawyers are needed most
States News Service – April 4

According to the most recently available data from the American Bar Association (ABA), more graduates of Washington College of Law enter public service careers than from any other law school in the country. A review of the Equal Justice Works E-Guide to Public Service at America's Law Schools, a national survey of law school public interest programs and resources indicates that Dean Claudio Grossman was the only law school dean to actively participate in pro bono cases during 2005-2006.

400 of 'most vulnerable' homeless to get apartments
By Sylvia Moreno, The Washington Post – April 3

In an ambitious effort to end chronic homelessness in the District, city officials yesterday announced plans to move 400 of the "most vulnerable" people into apartments by Oct. 1. "We've been very supportive of building affordable housing stock, including permanent supportive housing," said Amber Harding, a staff lawyer at the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless [and 2003 Equal Justice Works Fellow]. "But we hope the mayor will wait to reduce shelter capacity until we actually show that there is a decrease in demand for emergency shelter."

Judge OKs low-income housing pact
By Zach Patberg, Asbury Park Press – April 1

A Superior Court judge Monday granted the expedited transfer of more than half of a nearly $6 million affordable housing arrangement between Toms River and Lakewood, leaving the remaining $2.6 million to go through more customary application channels. One of the main arguments from lawyers and residents objecting to the agreement along with the criticism that Toms River was shirking its responsibility to provide desperately needed housing within its own borders was that there was no opportunity for public comment. Fair Share Housing Center attorney [and 2006 Equal Justice Works Fellow] Adam Gordon continued to stress the possibility of discrimination in order to make the underlying point that no time was allotted to prove it.

Rising tuition vs. access to legal education
By Daniel R. Suvor, Student Lawyer Magazine – April 2008

The rising cost of tuition is a barrier for many to a legal education, and consequently our profession. Equal Justice Works reported that in 2005 the median entry-level salary was $36,000 for a civil services lawyer, $43,000 for a public defender, $44,000 for a prosecutor, and $40,000 for a lawyer at a public interest organization focused on issues such as civil rights, immigration, or economic justice. And the average law school debt load for a 2005 graduate was $83,181 for a private school and $54,509 for a public school.