Equal Justice Works Statement on Recent Supreme Court Decisions

The U.S. Supreme Court issued two major opinions this week in Bostock v. Clayton County and Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of Univ. of Cal. The Court ruled that LGBTQ+ people cannot be fired because of their sexual orientation or because they are transgender, and the Court overturned the Trump Administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

“These landmark decisions advance our nation’s promise of equal justice for all. Equal Justice Works will continue our ongoing effort to mobilize passionate public service leaders to advocate on behalf of those whose identity and contributions are wrongly devalued or discriminated against in our country.”

– David Stern, Equal Justice Works Executive Director

The following letter was sent from David Stern to our Fellows and Fellow alums in response to ongoing racial injustices and police brutality throughout the country.

We are in the midst of two deadly pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to adjust our lives and work in the interest of public health and safety. Racism is a pandemic that has been in our country for much longer. It is a public health and public safety crisis when police brutality results in the deaths of Black people.

George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and David McAtee are four more Black Americans who have been killed at the hands of the police–people who are sworn to defend and protect our communities. Black people are three times more likely than white people to be killed by police–this is not okay. Black people also suffer daily examples of systemic racism when participating in what should be mundane activities such as jogging and birdwatching. I am heartbroken, angry, and concerned for every Black person in this country, and I know you share these feelings.

At Equal Justice Works, we believe that a community of lawyers committed to public service can fulfill our nation’s promise of equal justice for all. All of you are part of that vision and we are so grateful for the work you are doing to bring about justice in your community and in our country. We know there is a huge amount of work still left to be done and we are in this together.

As one of our board members recently stated, “Here is the thing about white supremacy–there are no easy pathways that don’t require dismantling the laws, culture, and institutions that allow it to thrive. That can seem overwhelming, I’m sure. But that is precisely when we have to lean forward, to ground ourselves in purpose, recommit to the work that we do here and outside these metaphorical walls and show up.”

Equal Justice Works is committed to supporting passionate public service leaders because we know all of you serve a critical role advocating for communities and people in need to ensure we truly achieve equal justice for all.

Thank you for your work, today and always.

Best,
David Stern
Equal Justice Works Executive Director

Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced the recipients of the 2020 Regional Public Interest Awards, recognizing eight law students for their exemplary commitment to public interest law and pro bono work.

“Congratulations to this year’s award winners, who have distinguished themselves by rising to the challenge to serve their law school campuses and communities,” said Aoife Delargy Lowe, director of law school engagement and advocacy at Equal Justice Works. “We are delighted to recognize these inspiring students for their significant contributions in improving access to legal services.”

Chosen from 127 applications, these eight law students were selected by the Equal Justice Works National Advisory Committee for providing outstanding service through law clinics, volunteer work, internships, extracurricular projects, and other initiatives. The award winners will receive a commemorative plaque and a monetary reward.

“I think it is our responsibility to challenge injustice in whatever way we can,” said Amber Banks, a law student at Vanderbilt University Law School and 2020 Regional Public Interest Award winner. “…I plan to use the skills I learn here [in law school] to challenge oppressive systems in this country and to assist disadvantaged people and communities.”

The 2020 Regional Public Interest Award recipients include:

Amber Banks
Vanderbilt University Law School

Nneka Ewulonu
University of Georgia School of Law

Emily Genzlinger
University of California, Irvine School of Law

Mckenna Kohlenberg
University of Wisconsin Law School

Natalia Marte
State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law

Khatia Mikadze
American University, Washington College of Law

Kimberly Noe-Lehenbauer
University of Oklahoma College of Law

Renee Stromski
Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

Equal Justice Works offers a number of opportunities for law students to serve the public interest law community on their campuses and nationwide. Visit here for more information.

Every day, our Fellows are on the frontlines delivering critical legal services to those who need it most. The work our Fellows do is critical to thousands of people across our country, and we’re committed to supporting and elevating their important work during this challenging time.

The coronavirus outbreak, also known has COVID-19, has already had a devastating effect on the economy, forcing many businesses to lay off workers and/or reduce working hours for their employees. With more than 50% of Americans already living paycheck to paycheck, many are concerned about how they will be able to pay rent in light of recent changes to their financial situation.

The Equal Justice Works Housing Justice Program has been working hard to meet the needs of thousands of low-income tenants in Richmond, Virginia, which has the second-highest rate of eviction among large U.S. cities. Fellows and Community Organizers in the program are providing additional supports and resources to residents in Richmond in the midst of these uncertain times.

On March 13, Housing Justice Program Fellows and Community Organizers, together with their colleagues at Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS), Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC), and Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) collectively sent letters to the Mayor of Richmond, the CEO of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and the city governments and Housing Authorities of Hopewell and Petersburg, Virginia, urging them to take drastic action and pause all eviction proceedings, foreclosures, and planned utility cutoffs. These legal services organizations also requested that the city of Richmond keep the cold weather shelter open beyond mid-April and create a new shelter bed space for those who are homeless.

“Now more than ever, it is crucial that people not be displaced: their health and the health of our community depends on the stability of housing for low-income tenants who are especially likely to be affected by this crisis,” said Palmer Heenan, 2019 Equal Justice Works Fellow at Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.

As a result of pressure from Fellows, Community Organizers, and other housing advocates, Virginia announced on March 17 that it would freeze all evictions and order its courts to halt all non-emergency proceedings for at least three weeks, in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Following the announcement, advocates sought clarification from the Supreme Court of Virginia as to whether this order applied to eviction proceedings. While the Court has indicated that evictions proceedings would be “suspended for the duration of the order,” some jurisdictions are still proceeding with executing evictions in Virginia, including the City of Richmond. CVLAS, LAJC, and VPLC are continuing to urge housing providers in Virginia to stop filing unlawful detainers, issuing pay or quit notices, and seeking writs of eviction until the coronavirus crisis has abated.

“We are grateful for the swift action taken by the Supreme Court of Virginia and many lower courts to suspend evictions,” added Palmer. “We look forward to pursuing additional relief for tenants in the Greater Richmond and Tri-Cities area as we all come together to confront the multitude of impacts COVID-19 has had and will continue to have on our community.”

The Housing Justice Program is continuing its efforts to help protect the health and safety of residents in Richmond, with Fellows and Community Organizers advising clients over the phone and through email, and organizing food distributions and other essential goods for the communities they serve during this difficult time.

To learn more about the work of our Fellows in the Housing Justice Program, click here. The Housing Justice Program is made possible thanks to the generosity of The JPB Foundation.

To our community:

My thoughts are with all of you as we navigate this challenging and unprecedented time. At Equal Justice Works, we are following the recommended best practices and are all working remotely, but we continue to meet via video conference on a daily basis. We are also working to stay connected with our Equal Justice Works Fellows, host organizations, and supporters. Community is one of our core values, and while we may be working at a distance, our commitment to our community remains unchanged.

We will continue to keep you up to date with our operating status, and please continue to reach out to us. Thank you for your understanding and support, and please know that all of us at Equal Justice Works wish you, your families, and our shared community good health.

Love,

David Stern
Executive Director
Equal Justice Works

A person’s ZIP code shouldn’t dictate their access to legal services, especially when facing life-changing challenges in court. Unfortunately, for many rural communities across the country, a shortage of talented lawyers means that residents are forced to travel hundreds of miles to find legal assistance.

It’s paramount that we fill in the resource gap for rural communities, so that everyone has access to justice—not just those near metropolitan areas. The Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC) works to do just that, by placing 35 talented law students at legal services organizations throughout the country, where they spend eight to ten weeks addressing the needs of rural residents.

A collaboration between Equal Justice Works and the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the Rural Summer Legal Corps gives law students, called Student Fellows, the unique opportunity to explore their passion for public interest while gaining valuable legal skills through hands-on experience.

In 2019, RSLC Student Fellows assisted 2,118 individuals on a broad range of legal services, including family matters, public benefits services, and housing matters. Collectively, they dedicated 2,387 hours to direct legal services for rural communities. In addition to direct legal services, the Student Fellows participated in 148 legal outreach events and developed 100 fact sheets or outreach/training materials.

Following their summer of service, 90% of Student Fellows felt that they were more likely to work or volunteer as a public interest attorney because of this experience. Additionally, 75% of Student Fellows were “extremely interested” or “very interested” in continuing to serve clients in rural areas.

“When an individual has few or no financial means to buffer them against society, the legal issues they encounter involve questions of their most basic rights and protecting those rights protects the most fundamental rights of everyone,” Joseph added.

Everyone, regardless of where they live, deserves access to civil legal assistance when in need. In just one summer, the 2019 RSLC Student Fellows made remarkable progress in filling the legal service gap in rural and isolated communities.

Applications for the 2020 Rural Summer Legal Corps are currently being accepted until 11:59 p.m. EST on February 10, 2020. For more information about program eligibility and requirements, please visit here.

Grant Will Support Organization’s Work to Mobilize Lawyers to Address Elder Abuse and Exploitation in the United States 

Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced that it has been awarded a $3.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, to launch its Elder Justice Program, a two-year legal Fellowship program.

Elder abuse has been referred to as a “hidden epidemic” in the United States, with estimates that 1 out of every 10 people age 60 and older are victims of caregiver neglect, financial fraud and exploitation, and/or psychological, physical, and sexual abuse every year.

The Equal Justice Works Elder Justice Program will place 22 lawyers (Fellows) at legal services organizations across the United States to address the gap in civil legal services for victims of elder abuse and exploitation, with a special emphasis in serving rural communities.

“Many older Americans are victims of crime and suffer serious harm. Lawyers can often help restore their dignity, security, and financial safety,” noted David Stern, executive director at Equal Justice Works. “We greatly appreciate the Office of Victims of Crime’s support of this program to provide critical legal services to this vulnerable population.”

Fellows in the Elder Justice Program will work with victims of elder abuse and exploitation to enforce their rights and address issues such as financial exploitation, housing, protection orders, guardianship, and public benefits, and make referrals to other supportive services.

Equal Justice Works will begin the selection process for legal services organizations to host these Fellows in January 2020, and Fellows are expected to begin work in June 2020.

For more information about the Elder Justice Program, please contact [email protected].

The Equal Justice Works Housing Justice Program has won a major victory in reducing the eviction rate in Virginia’s Greater Richmond Region. Fellows and Community Organizers hosted at Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, Legal Aid Justice Center, and Virginia Poverty Law Center partnered together to take on a series of eviction cases brought by the Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority (RRHA) against residents living in the city’s public housing communities.

Richmond has the second highest rate of eviction among large cities in the United States, according to analysis carried out by Princeton University’s Eviction Lab. RRHA is among the highest monthly evictors in Virginia—in 2017, no landlord in the state threatened to evict more tenants than RRHA.

Over the last few months, six Fellows and two Community Organizers in the Housing Justice Program have worked as a unified front to fight eviction filings by RRHA that do not comply with the law and court rules. From mid-October to mid-November 2019, RRHA had 295 eviction lawsuits before the court from the city’s six large public housing communities. At the Creighton Court complex, 52 families—1 in 8 living in the community— faced eviction by RRHA.

“This staggering number underlies the true crisis in Richmond that Fellows and Community Organizers in the Equal Justice Works Housing Justice Program are trying to fix: systemic poverty, a lack of affordable housing, and a rush to evict have all worked together to create a perfect storm,” said Palmer Heenan, 2019 Equal Justice Works Fellow at Central Virginia Legal Aid Society. “Every day, this storm results in homelessness, loss of property, and permanent damage to our families and our community.”

As a result of ongoing pressure from Fellows, Community Organizers, and other housing advocates to dismiss these cases, RRHA recently announced that it would not file any additional eviction cases in 2019, and any eviction cases the agency had previously filed against its residents would be dismissed or postponed. Additionally, RRHA agreed to participate in the state’s first eviction diversion program that was launched at the beginning of this year.

“This eviction freeze is especially meaningful right now to rent-burdened families as we enter the cold winter months,” said Omari Al-Qadaffi, 2019 Equal Justice Works Community Organizer at Legal Aid Justice Center. “We will continue to advocate in the courtroom and in the streets for more policy change to reduce housing instability and combat systemic inequities impacting residents in our region.”

The Housing Justice Program is made possible by the generous support of The JPB Foundation.

Learn more about the program here.

The event, held at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., raised more than $3.3 million to support our efforts to mobilize a community of lawyers committed to public service.

CNN political analyst David Gregory served as emcee for the evening, and board chair Randal S. Milch kicked off the dinner by welcoming guests and introducing 2018 Equal Justice Works Fellow Katrina Feldkamp.

As a beneficiary of childhood legal intervention, Katrina shared how the lawyer who advocated for her and her sister has been an enduring inspiration. “Seeing him use his skills and position to serve and empower others inspired me to become a lawyer. I wanted to pay forward what he had done for me,” she explained. Now, Katrina has come full circle—as a Fellow at Bronx Legal Services, she helps New York City students dealing with severe academic or emotional challenges access the support they need.

One of the most memorable moments of the night occurred when 2018 Text-to-Give Fellowship recipient Nathan Goncalves, who notably appeared onstage last year with his young son, introduced the 2019 Text-to-Give Fellow Brendan Wood. Brendan shared how his Fellowship project was born from a deeply personal experience of the opioid epidemic: a West Virginia native, Brendan is intimately aware of what it’s like to experience poverty, and to watch friends, neighbors, and even his own brother overdose. Thanks to contributions at last year’s Annual Dinner, Brendan is back in his home state, helping to ease the collateral consequences of opioid addiction at Legal Aid of West Virginia.

Moved by Brendan’s story, attendees took collective action and raised more than $66,000 to support one more Equal Justice Works Fellow in the field!

After dinner, Fellows Rosalyn Scriven and Beverly Graham-Foy shared an inspiring story of how they collaborate in the Crime Victims Justice Corps to serve their clients, many of whom are victims of human trafficking­. From the stage, Rosalyn and Beverly called for the other 58 Fellows in this program to stand so that the full force of this powerful group of Fellows could be acknowledged.

Our executive director, David Stern, emphasized the importance of protecting the financial future of public service leaders, and spoke about how Equal Justice Works Fellows are effecting real change in our justice system, in our communities, and across our nation.

Michele Johnson, a 1996 Fellow shared the story, both humorous and heartbreaking, of her lasting impact. As a child, Michele watched as her cousins, who were born premature, blind, and deaf, die in the institution that was supposed provide them with necessary care. Ever since, Michele has been determined to give “legal fire power” to children and families who might be otherwise ignored. Now, as the executive director and co-founder of the Tennessee Justice Center, she leads the organization’s efforts to ensure access to affordable healthcare for all Tennesseans.

The evening concluded with former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick, a previous Scales of Justice honoree, presenting the 2019 Scales of Justice Award to David Zapolsky. In his acceptance speech, David reflected on the evening’s conversations and reminded the legal community to grow their commitment to pro bono work.

The Equal Justice Works Annual Dinner celebrated leaders from all sectors of the legal profession who are helping to fulfill our nation’s promise of equal justice for all. Thank you to our supporters, and a special thanks to the Champion of Justice Sponsors Eversheds Sutherland, Fenwick and West, Greenberg Traurig, and Morgan Lewis for their incredible generosity.

If you were unable to attend the dinner but would like to make a contribution, please click here to support our work.

We look forward to seeing you at next year’s dinner. Stay tuned for more information!

Across our country, victims of crime face significant challenges in accessing comprehensive, trauma-informed legal services. In the summer of 2018, Equal Justice Works launched the Crime Victims Justice Corps, a Fellowship program aimed at helping victims of crime receive civil legal assistance for myriad issues relating to their victimization.

Over the past six months*, the Crime Victims Justice Corps—62 Fellows and 23 law students, serving at 46 legal services organizations nationwide—has been working tirelessly to expand legal services for survivors of human trafficking and other crimes, such as campus sexual assault, hate crimes, fraud, identity theft, and immigrant victims of crime.

Collectively, Fellows have assisted over 1,700 survivors on a broad range of legal services and have facilitated nearly 300 education/training activities to roughly 6,000 individuals.

In one example of community outreach, Fellow Mary Armistead at the Capital District Women’s Bar Association Legal Project learned that local law enforcement had busted a “prostitution ring,” but did not screen the alleged prostitutes for human trafficking, opting instead to arrest them. In response, Mary collaborated with partner organizations to create a training for judges, attorneys, law enforcement, and service providers to identify victims of human trafficking.

Along with legal assistance and trainings, Fellows have conducted over 400 outreach activities, distributing over 10,000 outreach materials—including those developed by Fellows—to potential clients, community partners, and other stakeholders.

At the Ohio Justice & Policy Center, Fellow Verjine Adanalian created a “client reminder brochure,” after noticing that many of her clients would forget significant details of their discussions. Upon learning that trauma dramatically impacts the brain, including how memories are coded, Verjine developed a set of tools to remind clients of next steps, allowing survivors to feel more confident and secure about the legal process.

The needs of crime victims are profound and require long-term multi-disciplinary responses. More than halfway through the two-year Fellowship period, Fellows and law students in the Crime Victims Justice Corps have achieved remarkable results in providing victims of crime with the legal services they need to heal and rebuild their lives. Learn more about the Fellows who are working to ensure that victims of crime have a voice in our justice system.

CVJC is supported by an award from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime, Award Number 2017-MU-MU-K131, and private funding. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

*January 1 – June 30, 2019 reporting period.