Equal Justice Works Announces Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta as Keynote Speaker for its Conference and Career Fair

The three-day virtual event will host the largest annual gathering of law students, public interest employers, law school faculty, and practitioners in the public interest law field

Vanita Gupta to discuss her career in civil rights work and share insights on how law students and new lawyers can help expand access to justice 

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 4, 2021—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced that United States Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta will be the keynote speaker at its virtual Conference and Career Fair on October 21–23, 2021.

“Vanita Gupta has devoted her career to civil rights, beginning with a Soros Justice fellowship when she worked to overturn the convictions of 38 defendants in Tulia, Texas,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “She will share her experience of how law students and new lawyers can make a fundamental difference on the injustices of our day.”

Each fall, the Conference and Career Fair, the largest national public interest legal career fair, brings together hundreds of law students, public interest employers, law school faculty, and practitioners in the public interest law field for interviews, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

This year, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from United States Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, who will join Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., former solicitor general of the United States and current member of Equal Justice Works Board of Directors, to discuss her career in civil rights work, her role as the Justice Department’s No. 3 official, and her perspectives on access-to-justice issues, including voting rights and racial justice.

Vanita Gupta is the first woman of color in Justice Department history to serve as associate attorney general. In this position, she oversees the Department’s civil rights litigation as well as its antitrust, civil, and environment and natural resources divisions. Vanita previously served as the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Before joining The Leadership Conference, she was the Acting Assistant Attorney General and head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Visit here to learn more about the Conference and Career Fair.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Marketing and Communications Director
Email: [email protected]

Former Mayor of New Orleans and President and CEO of the National Urban League joins the Equal Justice Works Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 2021—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced that Marc H. Morial, former mayor of New Orleans and president and CEO of the National Urban League, has been named to the organization’s board of directors.

“Marc embodies the spirit of service and we are honored to welcome him to our board of directors,” said David Stern, executive director of Equal Justice Works. “His passion for equal justice coupled with his strategic brilliance will be valuable as we advance our efforts to mobilize public service leaders who will bring justice to communities in need.”

Since 2003, Marc has served as president and CEO of the National Urban League (NUL), a civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality, and social justice. Under his leadership, NUL has expanded the reach of its services through an empowerment agenda that focuses on closing the economic gap between white and Black Americans, as well as creating a framework to develop policies that serve low-income communities and communities of color.

Before joining NUL, Marc served two terms as the mayor of New Orleans, during which time he focused on addressing the city’s unemployment and crime rates. While he was mayor, the city won the All-American City Award and the City Livability Award. He also served as president of the United States Conference of Mayors and as a Louisiana state senator. During his time as a state senator he was named Legislative Rookie of the Year, Education Senator of the Year, and Environmental Senator of the Year. He also received the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award for his legal services while a private lawyer.

“It is an honor to be selected as a member of the Board of Directors for Equal Justice Works,” Marc said. “Equal representation under the law is one of the nation’s highest ideals but one we too often fail to uphold. Few legal organizations have done more to defend the rights of underserved communities and develop future leaders in the public service sector. I look forward to being a part of this worthy mission.”

Marc has received numerous accolades including being recognized as one of the 100 most influential Black Americans by Ebony Magazine and as one of the Top 50 Nonprofit Executives by the NonProfit Times. He currently serves as an executive committee member of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the Black Leadership Forum, and Leadership 18, and is a board member of the Muhammad Ali Center and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

The full list of Equal Justice Works Board of Directors members can be found here.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Marketing and Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.466.3686

Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced the newest members of its National Advisory Committee.

Formed in 2003, the National Advisory Committee (NAC) is a diverse group of eight law students and eight law school professionals who serve as Equal Justice Works ambassadors within the law school and legal services communities. NAC members extend the reach of Equal Justice Works initiatives by providing leadership, feedback, and outreach assistance to support the organization’s mission to create opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for public service into a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

“Equal Justice Works is thrilled to welcome our new National Advisory Committee members,” said Aoife Delargy Lowe, vice president of law school engagement & advocacy at Equal Justice Works. “These passionate leaders will work together to develop new ways to champion public service on law school campuses across the nation and encourage more law students to pursue their public interest goals through an Equal Justice Works Fellowship program.”

NAC members serve two-year staggered terms—this year, four students and six law school professionals will join the Committee to replace members who have completed their terms of service. The newest members of the 2021-2023 National Advisory Committee include:

Law Students:

• Jackie Hanzok, Washburn University School of Law
• Samantha Beauchamp, Suffolk University Law School
• Esther Ko, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School
• Ella Russell, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

Law School Professionals:

• Rhonda DeCambre, North Carolina Central University School of Law
• Elyse Diamond, Pace University School of Law
• Susan Galazen, Mitchell Hamline School of Law
• Trevi Grant, Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
• Rochelle R. McCain, University of Pittsburgh School of Law
• Ashli Tomisich, University of Wyoming College of Law

The current list of NAC members is available here.

“One of the greatest strengths I associate with Equal Justice Works is its ability to inspire, recognize, galvanize, and support law students who aspire to contribute to the public interest legal community,” said new NAC Member Rochelle R. McCain from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. “To serve as a member of the National Advisory Committee, I have the opportunity to impact this important and necessary work by joining in this mission nationally.”

The NAC will host its annual meeting virtually in August 2021. At the meeting, members will brainstorm how to best expand access and knowledge of public interest law in their respective regions.

If you are interested in joining the National Advisory Committee or would like more information, please contact [email protected].

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Thirty-five law students selected from 460 applications will spend their summer helping to improve access to justice for people living in rural communities

WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 26, 2021—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, and the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the nation’s single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans, today announced the selection of 35 law students for the Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC).

RSLC—a partnership between Equal Justice Works and LSC—supports law students in serving rural communities each summer. Program participants, called Student Fellows, spend eight to ten weeks hosted by LSC-funded civil legal aid organizations where they help to address some of the biggest challenges facing rural communities. Through RSLC, Student Fellows have the opportunity to explore a career in civil legal aid by providing direct legal services, engaging in community outreach and education, and building capacity at the organizations where they are hosted.

Selected from 460 applications, the 2021 class of Rural Summer Legal Corps Fellows includes 35 students from 32 law schools who will work at 32 LSC-funded civil legal aid organizations across the United States and its territories, providing critical legal assistance to people in rural areas. In light of ongoing health and safety concerns, many of the Students Fellows will work remotely to support the efforts of their host organizations, helping clients virtually through video conferencing, online intakes, and over phone and email.

“It is breathtaking that 460 law students applied to work on rural poverty issues for the summer,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “It is proof of the extraordinary appetite among today’s law students to devote themselves to providing access to justice for low-income people. With such an abundance of applications, you can imagine the extremely high caliber of the students who were ultimately selected to work in rural communities that have trouble recruiting lawyers.”

This year’s class of RSLC Student Fellows will take on projects that address a range of access-to-justice issues. Some of these projects include:

• Addie Martin and Katy Harvey will support their host organizations on the “Beyond Opioids” project, an initiative focused on people impacted by the opioid crisis and other substance use disorders. Addie is a law student at Oklahoma City University School of Law and will be hosted by Arkansas Legal Services. Katy will be hosted by Legal Aid of Arkansas and is a law student at the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.
• Justin Small will support his host organization, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, in increasing housing, public benefits, and employment opportunities for system-involved youth and adults of color residing in the Antelope Valley, a remote part of Los Angeles County. Justin is a law student at Loyola Law School Los Angeles.
• Elena Pruett-Fiederlein will conduct outreach to people experiencing homelessness in the Shenandoah Valley in need of birth certificates. Elena, a law student at William & Mary Law School, will be hosted by Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc.

Launched in 2016, RSLC Student Fellows have helped to increase access to justice for thousands of individuals living in rural communities. In 2020—in the midst of a global pandemic—law students in the program had some remarkable successes. Collectively, the 35 Student Fellows served more than 10,000 hours, providing direct legal services to 720 individuals, participating in 122 outreach events, and creating or expanding more than 125 collaborations with community partners.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

About Legal Services Corporation
Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 133 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Visit www.lsc.gov for more information.

Contact:
Heena Patel
Marketing & Communications Director
Email: [email protected]

77 public interest lawyers will spend the next two years helping to increase access to justice for underserved communities across the United States.

The 2021 class of Fellows received sponsorship from over 75 law firms, corporations, private foundations, and individual donors.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 12, 2021—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today named its 2021 class of Equal Justice Works Fellows. Each of the 77 law school graduates, in collaboration with a legal services organization, has designed a two-year Equal Justice Works Fellowship project to address the unmet legal needs of the community where they will serve.

“We take great pride in launching the careers of passionate public service leaders through an Equal Justice Works Fellowship,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “We look forward to supporting our new Fellows in bringing critical legal services to communities still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, and in their work responding to ongoing racial injustice throughout our country.”

Each year, Equal Justice Works selects a class of public interest lawyers who have designed one-of-a-kind projects in partnership with legal services organizations. These projects are funded by law firms, corporations, private foundations, and individual supporters.

Selected from 466 applications, the 2021 class of Equal Justice Works Fellows includes graduates from 47 law schools who will work at 70 legal services organizations across 20 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Among this year’s sponsors are 26 leading law firms recognized in the Am Law 200 and 22 Fortune 500 corporations.

Equal Justice Works Fellows in the 2021 class have created projects to address a wide range of legal issues. Examples of these projects include:

• Jina Kim (she/her/hers), a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, will be hosted by Communities for a Better Environment, where she will advocate with low-income residents of color in East Oakland, California for environmental justice and community resilience. Jina’s Fellowship is sponsored by The Clorox Company.

• Carlos Ramos-Hernandez (he/him/his) will empower citizens to proactively demand public accountability by strengthening Puerto Rico’s constitutional right to access government information and promoting transparency and participatory democracy. Carlos is the first University of Puerto Rico School of Law graduate to be awarded an Equal Justice Works Fellowship. He will be hosted by the Center for Investigative Journalism and his project is sponsored by an anonymous supporter.

• Michelle Mapp (she/her/hers), a graduate of Charleston School of Law, will be hosted by the ACLU of South Carolina, where she will help to enact Tenant Right to Counsel legislation in South Carolina to prevent the eviction and displacement of low-income and African American households. Michelle’s Fellowship is sponsored by the Alston & Bird Racial Justice Fund.

• Tyahija Martin (they/them/theirs) will be hosted by Girls for Gender Equity, where they will work to eradicate institutionalized barriers that constrict freedom, full expression, and rights of school-age Black and Brown girls, and trans and gender-nonconforming/nonbinary youth. Tyahija, a graduate of Howard University School of Law, is cosponsored by Spotify and Mayer Brown LLP.

Over the past three decades, Equal Justice Works has awarded more than 2,000 Fellowships to lawyers who are committed to ensuring equal access to justice for underserved communities. Our Fellowship programs are designed to effect change in communities and throughout our country by mobilizing Fellows to work on key issue areas such as disaster resilience, housing equality, and crime victims’ rights, as well as through the opportunity for a Fellow to work with a legal services organization to design and implement a unique project in response to a specific or emerging need.  On average, 85% of Equal Justice Works Fellows remain in public service positions, continuing to help fulfill our nation’s promise of equal justice for all.

Click here for a full list of the 2021 Equal Justice Works Fellows, host organizations, and sponsors.

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About Equal Justice Works
Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Marketing and Communications Director
Email: [email protected]

Brian Ellis of Danaher Corporation to be recognized for his commitment to public service at the Scales of Justice virtual event.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 2021—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced that it will honor Brian Ellis, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Danaher Corporation, at the Scales of Justice virtual event on October 12, 2021.

“Brian is a true believer that lawyers can play a critical role to help disadvantaged communities achieve justice in society,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “Brian has been a champion for pro bono throughout his career and an example to others of how a lawyer can find many opportunities to be a force for good in the world.  We are excited to recognize Brian’s demonstrated commitment and service at this year’s Scales of Justice event.”

Each year, Equal Justice Works presents the Scales of Justice Award to a leader in the legal community who exemplifies a high level of commitment to public service and pro bono; shares our values of passion, community, service, opportunity, and equal access to justice; has upheld the Equal Justice Works mission and vision throughout their career while also supporting the organization; and has set a strong example for how lawyers and legal professionals can and should contribute to efforts in the public interest and toward greater access to justice for all.

Throughout his career, Brian has been a powerful force in driving pro bono initiatives. At Danaher, Brian’s global legal teams support pro bono initiatives across the United States, including support for nonprofit organizations. Danaher currently sponsors Equal Justice Works Fellow Sabrina Bernadel, whose project is focused on providing legal services and legislative advocacy for girls of color to ensure access to education that is free of discriminatory discipline, harassment, and violence from school-based police.

“My deep and abiding belief is that everyone deserves a fair shot at living life to their fullest potential,” said Brian. “I’ve spent years in private practice and government service where I’ve fought for the defenseless and tried to level the playing field of a very challenged criminal justice system. For the last several years, I’ve been unable to dedicate the amount of time I’d like to pro bono work or public service, so I’m grateful for the mission and scale of Equal Justice Works and humbled to be a small contributor to its work.”

Prior to his role at Danaher, Brian was the general counsel at Medtronic’s Restorative Therapies Group, where he was an active participant in the company’s pro bono program. Under his direction, the company created partnerships with a local hospital system to provide legal services to patients whose long-term care and recovery were directly impacted by their ability to address various legal challenges.

As a leader in the legal profession, Brian has also shown an exceptional commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At Danaher, Brian is the executive sponsor for the company’s Black & Friends affinity group, and convened the first meeting among African-American Male General Counsel to address diversity and social justice issues. During his time at Medtronic, he created and led Medtronic’s African Descent Network, which supported hundreds of community organizations in expanding access to health services for underserved communities across the country.

“I’ve tried to mentor people who, like myself, always felt out of place and alone because of their differences,” said Brian. “I am proud of the many women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people I’ve mentored and sponsored over the course of my career. For as much as I’ve poured into them, I have learned and grown exponentially more.”

Brian has earned numerous accolades for his leadership and pro bono work, including recognition as one of Savoy Magazine’s 2020 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America, as the 2019 Rising for Justice honoree, and as one of the 2018 Most Influential Black Lawyers, just to name a few. Brian also serves on the board of directors at Entergy Corporation and is a member of the Equal Justice Works Annual Dinner Steering Committee. 

Click here for more information about this year’s Scales of Justice event.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Marketing and Communications Director
Email: [email protected]

Full Audit of PSLF Program Needed to Ensure Justice for Workers Denied Promised Relief

WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 12, 2021—Today, 97 student, consumer, public interest, civil rights, higher education, public health, workforce, professional, military, and faith organizations representing millions of public service workers and student loan borrowers sent a letter to United States Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona calling on the Department of Education (ED) to conduct an immediate 90 day review of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and cancel the student loan debt of all public service workers who have completed ten or more years of service. The letter urges ED to use the full scope of its legal authority, including emergency powers vested in the Secretary of Education as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to quickly deliver on promised relief.

Since the first applicants became eligible to have their debts cancelled under PSLF in 2017, 98% have been rejected. Evidence now shows these rejections were driven by widespread mismanagement by ED and abuses by its contracted student loan servicers. Despite reassurances that the rates of debt cancellation via PSLF would improve over time, widespread denials without explanation have continued. For nearly four years, no comprehensive efforts have been made to address the underlying problems driving this systemic failure. As public service workers continue to serve and risk their lives on the front lines of America’s pandemic response, the case for immediate action has grown increasingly urgent.  Without immediate action by Secretary Cardona, millions of public service workers, including student loan borrowers in public and nonprofit sectors and those serving in the military, will remain trapped in this broken system. 

Read the letter here. 

“Washington broke its promise to a generation of public service workers with far reaching consequences for workers, their communities, and our country,” said Seth Frotman, executive director at the Student Borrower Protection Center. “Teachers, healthcare providers, and millions of others who served on the front lines of America’s pandemic response deserve better than more red tape and bureaucracy–they need Secretary Cardona to use his power under the law to deliver the relief promised by Congress more than a decade ago.”

“Student loan debt is a huge barrier to taking relatively low paying public service jobs and PSLF promises forgiveness after 10 years of public service,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “Hundreds of thousands of people relied on that program only to be rejected. At Equal Justice Works, we believe our country must deliver on its promise to forgive the debt of public servants after 10 years of service, sacrifice, and contributions.”

Today, the National Education Association (NEA) also released an updated letter to Secretary Cardona calling for the same set of actions and featuring additional signers, including the American Federation of Teachers, the Communications Workers of America, and District Council 37, New York’s largest public employee union. Two weeks ago, NEA and 14 other labor unions, representing 11 million public service workers, first called on Secretary Cardona to cancel student debt for all borrowers who served for a decade or more.

Background

In 2006, Equal Justice Works, in partnership with the American Bar Association, and many other organizations across the nation joined together to advocate for federal loan repayment programs that would benefit public interest professionals. This effort led to the federal College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, which created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, as well as income-based repayment options for federal loans.

The PSLF program was created to provide relief to public service workers with student loan debt in exchange for a decade of service in their communities or to our country.

Unfortunately, since its inception, the program has been mishandled and undermined by the Department of Education and its contracted loan servicers, with only a small portion of eligible public service workers accessing their right to relief. Over the last two years, the Student Borrower Protection Center and the American Federation of Teachers conducted a comprehensive, top-to-bottom review of the PSLF program exposing a decade of widespread mismanagement and abuse that has delayed, derailed, or denied millions of public service workers access to their right to debt relief under the law.

In 2003, Congress passed Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (Heroes Act), vesting extraordinary emergency powers in the Secretary of Education to ensure that student loan borrowers are able to shoulder the burdens posed by student debt in the face of a national emergency. In 2020, President Trump and Secretary DeVos repeatedly invoked these emergency powers to pause student loan payments, waive interest charges, and cancel student debt for tens of millions of people.

In December 2020, the SBPC and Demos published a report featuring contributions from leading student loan experts and advocates outlining how the Biden administration could take immediate action to cancel student debt for millions of Americans. As part of this report, Mike Pierce, Policy Director at the SBPC and Rebecca Maurer, Counsel and Program Manager at the SBPC laid out how the Department of Education could use executive authority, including the Secretary’s emergency powers, to deliver justice for public service workers by cancelling student debt for all who have already served for a decade or more.

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The Student Borrower Protection Center

The Student Borrower Protection Center is a nonprofit organization focused on alleviating the burden of student debt for millions of Americans. The SBPC engages in advocacy, policymaking, and litigation strategy to rein in industry abuses, protect borrowers’ rights, and advance economic opportunity for the next generation of students.

Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote a lifelong commitment to public service and equal justice.

WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 24, 2020—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced that the Honorable James E. Graves, Jr., Michael J. Harding, Garry W. Jenkins, and Steve McManus have been named to the organization’s board of directors.

“We are delighted to welcome these talented leaders to our Board,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “Their combined knowledge, expertise, and energy will help the organization advance its work to mobilize more passionate public service leaders who can respond to the slew of challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Honorable James Earl Graves, Jr., is a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Judge Graves is the first African American judge from Mississippi on the Fifth Circuit, having previously served as a judge in the Mississippi court system for 20 years, including 10 years on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Before becoming a judge, he worked as legal counsel for both the Health Law Division and the Human Services Division of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, and as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Mississippi. Judge Graves has also spent much of his career active in the education field, having held the position of adjunct professor at Millsaps College, Tougaloo College, and Jackson State University. Judge Graves began his legal career as a staff attorney at Central Mississippi Legal Services.

“It is an honor to serve on the board of Equal Justice Works,” said Judge Graves. “I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working hard to assist in achieving the goals and carrying out the mission of this dynamic and vital organization.”

Michael J. Harding is a first-year law student at Villanova University, where he is also a Public Interest Scholar. Mr. Harding has a clear passion for public interest law, as shown by his work both on campus and in the community. He is currently chair of the Equal Justice Works National Advisory Committee representing the Mid-Atlantic region and served as a Student Fellow in the Equal Justice Works Crime Victims Justice Corps. He also participates in The Appellate Project’s mentorship program, which enables Black and brown law students to meaningfully engage with and learn from appellate practitioners about effective advocacy in our nation’s highest courts. Mr. Harding has previously worked with Justice at Work and The Public Interest Law Center, two Philadelphia-based public interest nonprofit organizations. He was also a Fulbright Scholar at Universidad Diego Portales and the Museum of Memory and Human Rights in Chile.

“I entered law school guided by the belief that lawyers can be stewards of righteous democracy by harnessing the law’s potential for goodness to ensure our lived experiences—especially those of us pushed to society’s margins—are more fair and fruitful,” said Mr. Harding. “I’m eager to play a role in the broader narrative of young people committed to pursuing social justice by celebrating and leveraging diversity of thought, perspective, and experience. Equal Justice Works provides a unique platform to help transform students’ passion for service into a lifetime committed to realizing this mission. I’m deeply humbled to join the Board of such an incredible organization and, frankly, I’m ready to get to work.”

Garry W. Jenkins is dean and William S. Pattee Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota Law School. Before his post at Minnesota Law, he was associate dean for academic affairs and John C. Elam/Vorys Sater Professor of Law at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Prior to entering academia, Dean Jenkins practiced at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and was chief operating officer and general counsel of the Goldman Sachs Foundation. Dean Jenkins began his career as a clerk for Judge Timothy K. Lewis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He currently serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Law School Admission Council, Haverford College, and the Guthrie Theater.

“I’m thrilled to join the board of one of the nation’s most vital legal nonprofits, which advances careers in public interest law and policy,” said Dean Jenkins. “The opportunities provided through Equal Justice Works promote justice for communities and people in need while simultaneously developing a new generation of lawyer-leaders. I look forward to supporting the growth and success of such an innovative and impactful organization.”

Steve McManus is senior vice president and general counsel for State Farm® Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. Mr. McManus has spent his entire legal career at State Farm, starting law school after he joined the company. At State Farm, he has spearheaded several pro bono initiatives, including the Inclusion Initiative, through which corporate law departments commit to increasing their spending with women- and minority-owned law firms. An outstanding leader in the legal community, Mr. McManus serves on a range of boards and committees including Civil Justice Reform Group, National Center for State Courts General Counsel Committee, Washington Legal Foundation Legal Policy Advisory Board, Rand Institute for Civil Justice Board of Advisors, and General Counsel 50, among others. Mr. McManus previously served as a member of the Equal Justice Works Board of Counselors. 

“In order to sustain our democracy, we need to uphold the rule of law. Upholding the rule of law requires that the law be inclusive of all citizens and serve to protect all citizens and society as a whole,” said Steve McManus. “It’s an honor to work with Equal Justice Works to advance its mission of creating a just society. Justice is an essential objective of the legal profession and Equal Justice Works seeks to bring justice to where it is most needed in our nation.”

The full list of Equal Justice Board of Directors members can be found here.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Marketing and Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.466.3686

Disaster Resilience Awareness Month will occur for the first time in March 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 23, 2021—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, announced today that it has teamed up with the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD) Disaster Legal Services Program, the American Red Cross, Pro Bono Net and the National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center, more commonly known as DisasterLegalAid.org, for the first-ever Disaster Resilience Awareness Month in March 2021.

“During disasters, including pandemics such as COVID-19, lawyers are critical in helping individuals and families gain stability and protect their livelihoods,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “We are proud to collaborate with the ABA YLD, the American Red Cross, and DisasterLegalAid.org to spread awareness about disaster-related challenges and offer resources for disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.”

Throughout March, Equal Justice Works, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the American Red Cross, and DisasterLegalAid.org will share information and resources for disaster survivors and lawyers who are supporting communities affected by COVID-19 and other disasters including hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and winter storms.

“Disaster management and humanitarian aid organizations have had to reevaluate how communities and individuals can better adapt and prepare for future disaster events. Increasing a community’s resilience level increases its ability to cope with the changes that affect it,” said Disaster Cycle Services, Red Cross. “Creating awareness of the vulnerabilities in an area, addressing these vulnerabilities with preparedness training, disaster risk reduction and sustainable changes made over the long-term can develop a community’s adaptive capacity to be more resilient.”

“We know that disasters are becoming more and more frequent and that attorneys have a unique role to play in advocating for the rights of disaster survivors,” said Mark O’ Brien, executive director at Pro Bono Net, one of the DisasterLegalAid.org partners. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to amplify efforts to support resilience in communities, and encourage others to join us in sharing these resources.”

Fellows in the Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Program will host trainings in partnership with various organizations, government agencies, and legal services providers to educate communities on their legal rights before, during and after a disaster and the legal services available to disaster survivors. Topics will include applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) benefits, title clearing, disability-specific needs, assistance for immigrants and refugees and other disaster-related legal matters.

These training videos created by Equal Justice Works Fellows will be made available on DisasterLegalAid.org, a national online clearinghouse that provides information on legal issues impacting communities hit by natural disasters. Legal aid and pro bono attorneys who want to access additional specialized disaster advocacy resources can join DisasterLegalAid.org’s National Disaster Legal Aid Advocacy Center, a growing online community of advocates working on disaster response and recovery.

“Collaboration within the disaster legal community is crucial when it comes to not only disaster response and recovery, but also mitigation and preparedness,” said Linda Anderson Stanley, senior project manager at Equal Justice Works and director of the ABA YLD Disaster Legal Services Program. “With disasters becoming increasingly frequent and devastating, it is important that there is a collective effort to bring people’s attention to disasters and how communities can prepare for and recover from disasters, before the start of hurricane and wildfire seasons.”

Through their Disaster Legal Services Program, the ABA YLD will also join the collaborative effort to increase visibility about the role of legal aid in disaster recovery, and share information on how to get involved in national disaster legal aid efforts. They will post resources, service delivery strategies and tips to help lawyers better assist and represent disaster survivors.

Since 2005, Equal Justice Works has mobilized more than 80 passionate public service lawyers to deliver legal services to disaster-affected communities. To learn more about Disaster Resilience Awareness Month and the organization’s efforts to mobilize public service leaders who are helping communities prepare for and recover from disasters, visit here.

If your organization is interested in teaming up with Equal Justice Works for Disaster Resilience Awareness Month, please reach out to us at [email protected].

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About Disaster Resilience Awareness Month

Disaster Resilience Awareness Month is made possible thanks to the generous support of Equal Justice Works host organizations: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Disability Rights Texas, Lone Star Legal Aid, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc., and YMCA International Services.

The Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Program is funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the Bigglesworth Family Foundation, and individual contributions.

About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

About the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Disaster Legal Services Program

The ABA YLD, the largest national organization of young lawyers, provides leadership in serving the public and the profession, and promotes excellence and fulfillment in the practice of law. Its parent organization, the ABA, is the national voice of the legal profession and one of the largest voluntary professional membership groups in the world.

Through the Disaster Legal Services Program, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency provide immediate temporary legal assistance to disaster survivors at no charge. Since September 2007, the ABA YLD has responded to 178 declared disasters in 44 states and 4 U.S. territories.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to survivors of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About the National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center

The National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center (DisasterLegalAid.org) is the outgrowth of response efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and serves as a national website with self-help tools and legal information for people and communities impacted by natural disasters. DisasterLegalAid.org/Advocates is an online community for collaboration, communication, and networking among legal advocates serving disaster-affected individuals. DisasterLegalAid.org is a collaborative effort of Lone Star Legal Aid, Pro Bono Net, the American Bar Association, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, and the Legal Services Corporation.

WASHINGTON, D.C., NOVEMBER 18, 2020—Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced that Ernest LaMont Greer, Jami Wintz Mckeon, and L. Song Richardson have been named to the organization’s board of directors.

“We are honored to welcome to our Board these highly respected leaders who share our commitment to public service and equal justice,” said David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “Each new member brings tremendous experience and insight from their respective fields that will help strengthen our work to mobilize passionate public service leaders who can support communities in the face of COVID-19, racial injustice, and other pressing legal issues.”

Ernest LaMont Greer is co-president of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, where he plays a key role in the strategic direction of the firm and firmwide day-to-day operations. He previously served as vice president of the firm, co-chair of the U.S. Strategic Committee, and Atlanta Managing Shareholder. An outstanding leader and champion for his community, Ernest serves on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations—Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Atlanta History Center, Achieve Atlanta, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Atlanta Police Foundation, and the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Greenberg Traurig has sponsored more Equal Justice Works Fellows than any other firm. Since 1999, the firm has invested more than $13 million to support more than 170 Equal Justice Works Fellowships.

“I’m excited to work with my fellow board members to continue to public service and equal justice for all,” Ernest said. “In my practice and through my various roles at Greenberg Traurig, I have always been dedicated to creating an environment where every attorney feels included in all levels of the organization. Becoming a member of the Equal Justice Works board provides the perfect opportunity to continue promoting a diverse, equal legal industry on an even larger scale.

Jami Wintz Mckeon is the Chair of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, the largest law firm in the world led by a woman. Prior to assuming the role of chair, Ms. McKeon held many different management positions at Morgan Lewis, including as a member of the firm’s Advisory Board, Compensation Committee and leader of the Litigation Practice. She has served on several nonprofit boards and has received numerous awards and recognitions for her commitment to pro bono and diversity. At Morgan Lewis, she has spearheaded a number of pro bono initiatives, achieving 100% participation in the firm’s global 20-hour pro bono challenge, and most recently established and co-leads the firm’s Mobilizing for Equality Task Force.

“The passion Equal Justice Works demonstrates in everything they do for our underserved communities is a passion we share at Morgan Lewis,” said Jami. “We both are dedicated to the pursuit of equal justice for all, and committed to doing all we can to manifest lasting change. I am honored and humbled to join this wonderful and respected board at such a critical time. It has never been more important that we all work together.”

L. Song Richardson is the Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law (UCI Law). She is a leading expert on the impact of implicit racial and gender biases in a variety of contexts, including emerging technologies. Prior to UCI Law, Dean Richardson was a partner at a boutique criminal law firm and worked as a state and federal public defender. She was also an assistant counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. Dean Richardson is a member of the American Law Institute and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Association of American Law Schools.

“I am incredibly grateful to be joining the Equal Justice Works Board of Directors, and to be working alongside such an impressive group of individuals,” said Dean Richardson. “It is an honor to support the organization’s efforts to bring equal access to justice to underserved people and communities across the country and to create more opportunities for law students and lawyers to serve these communities.”

The full list of Equal Justice Board of Directors members can be found here.

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About Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for lawyers to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. As the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, Equal Justice Works brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and supporters to promote public service and inspire a lifelong commitment to equal justice.

Contact
Heena Patel
Marketing and Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.466.3686