Legal Studies Latest News

January 11, 2021

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1) Capital Fellows
2) Depositions
3) CLEO
4) Global Intrnshps
5) Berkeley Su Abroad
6) Rsrch Wkshps & Info Sessions

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1) Capital Fellows

Capital Fellows


Capital Fellows Programs, which consist of the following four fellowships:

·         Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program

·         Executive Fellowship Program

·         Judicial Fellowship Program

·         California Senate Fellows Program

Note that we are currently accepting applications for our 2021-22 class.

 Additional information can be found at: https://www.csus.edu/center/center-california-studies/capital-fellows.html

The Capital Fellows Programs are administered by the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento, and are an outstanding opportunity for college graduates to engage in public service and prepare for future careers. Fellows work 10-11 months as full-time staff members in the California State Assembly, California State Senate, California Executive Branch or the California Judiciary. They participate in policymaking, program development, and program implementation. Fellows gain first-hand experience in the governance and leadership of California.

Fellows receive:

  • A monthly stipend of $2,964;
  • Medical, dental and vision benefits; 
  • Student loan deferments; and 

·         6 graduate credits in Political Science or Public Policy and Administration from Sacramento State and upon successful completion of their fellowships, a graduate certificate in Applied Policy and Government.

 Prospective Capital Fellows must have a bachelor’s degree (in any major) and a demonstrated interest in California state government and public policy. Applicants may apply to one or more of the programs that meet their interests and qualifications. Recent graduates, graduate, postgraduate, and mid-career applicants are welcome to apply.

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2) Depositions!

Depositions!

Legal Studies Spring 2021 Announcement: An Opportunity for Undergraduates to Participate in a Berkeley Law JD Skills Class with the OPTION of earning 1 unit of LS 199 Individual Research Credit

In Spring 2021, undergraduates will have a unique opportunity to play the role of witnesses in a Berkeley Law JD Professional Skills Class (Depositions: Law 246.3), taught by Professor Henry Hecht.

Professor Hecht seeks six (6) students to serve as role-playing witnesses.  Students selected will be expected to prepare in advance by reading a witness statement and a very limited amount of background material.  Witnesses will then be expected to participate in six (6) Tuesday afternoon classes from 3:35 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., on February 16, February 23, March 16, March 30, April 20, and April 7.  During those classes, you will play the role of a witness for either the plaintiff or the defendant in a mock case.  Students selected must be able to commit to attending all six (6) Tuesday afternoon classes.

Professor Hecht’s Depositions course is a lawyering skills course, in which Berkeley Law students, working in small groups, simulate the process of preparing witnesses for their depositions and then taking as well as defending their depositions.  Practicing Bay Area lawyers attend these sessions, observe the law students in action, and critique their performances.  (Note: A deposition is a pre-trial legal procedure in which witnesses in a civil lawsuit answer questions by the opposing parties under oath, typically in a law office rather than a courtroom.  This semester’s depositions will be remote via Zoom.)

Playing the role of a witness will allow you to gain insight into the US system of civil litigation and to see it in operation.  In addition, it will provide you with a chance to meet and talk with Berkeley Law students and Bay Area attorneys.  Finally, witnesses will earn a $50.00 Amazon gift card for their service.

To Apply:

Please apply by e-mail to Professor Hecht at hhecht@law.berkeley.edu, by no later than Friday, February 5, at 5:00 p.m.  Please include the words “Application to be a Witness” and your last name in the subject line of your e-mail.  In your cover message, please include a brief statement about why you are interested in taking part in this class; and attach your resume.

Students’ applications will be reviewed by Professor Hecht, and he will notify students of his decisions by no later than Monday, February 8, at 5:00 p.m.

OPTION: Earn 1 Unit of LS 199 Course Credit for Supervised Independent Research with Professor Perry

Students who choose this OPTION have the opportunity to earn one unit of LS 199 P/NP course credit for their service as a witness in Professor Hecht’s Depositions class under the supervisor of Professor Perry.  In order to earn this supervised independent research credit, students will be required to do some additional readings on the civil litigation process and on the participant observation method, which are described below.  At the end of the semester, students selecting this option must submit a paper of at least ten pages in length, exclusive of notes and bibliography.  The requirements for the LS 199 course credit, offered by Professor Perry, are described below.

Requirements for LS 199 credit:

  1. Attend all six (6) class role playing sessions, and prepare for the role plays;
  2. Take notes on what you did and what you observed, preferably in a small note pad, organized by the date of the session; and submit the raw, handwritten pages along with your final paper;
  3. Read materials, posted on bCourses, on participant observation methods; and consider how those method(s) apply to your own experience;
  4. Read two chapters, posted on bCourses, from Robert Kagan’s Adversarial Legalism: The American Way of Law, focusing especially on Chapter 6, which mentions depositions;
  5. Papers will be graded on a P/NP basis by Professor Perry.

If you want to pursue this option, specify that in your cover message to Professor Hecht when you apply; and he will let Professor Perry know.

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3) CLEO

CLEO

The Ultimate Preparation to Help You Become a More Competitive Law School Applicant!

Designed to identify, motivate and prepare students for a career in the legal profession. Committed students can learn how to successfully navigate the law school admission process and underwrite their success in law school by participating in the College Scholars program.
·         When: Saturday, January 30, 2021 – 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
·         Where: On-line/Nationwide
·          How: Register online
·          Who: All college students
For Freshmen:  The Road To Law School seminar aims to provide Freshmen an overview of the key components of the law school application process.
For Sophomores:  The Sophomore Super Saturdays seminar aims to help students further develop logical reasoning, reading comprehension and writing skills – the skills needed to become a competitive law school applicant.
For Juniors, Seniors/Post GraduatesJuniors Jumpstart the LSAT seminar aims to help participants understand the importance of systematic and timely preparation for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
***CLEO is a non-profit organization. Since 1968, CLEO has helped more than 7,000 low-income and minority students become successful members of the legal profession. The College Scholars Program seeks to continue this standard of excellence through a collaborative effort between CLEO and colleges and universities throughout the United States.
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4) Global Intrnshps

Global Intrnshps

Berkeley Global Internships and Berkeley Summer Abroad programs will be virtual for Summer 2021.

Applications for both programs open February 1, 2021. These programs are open to Berkeley students and visitors. Space is limited. All applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Berkeley Global Internships
Gain first-hand knowledge, connections, and work experience through an academic internship this summer. This virtual internships allows you to work from anywhere in the world! Develop global competencies and skills such as collaboration, communication, and problem-solving that will prepare students to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.

Learn more one of our Virtual Global Internships Program Information Sessions.

2021 Virtual Global Internship locations include:

International
Beijing, China
Cape Town, South Africa
Dublin, Ireland
Hong Kong
Lisbon, Portugal
London, UK
Mumbai, India
Santiago de Chile, Chile
Singapore
Stockholm, Sweden
Sydney, Australia
Tokyo, Japan
Toronto, Canada
Domestic
Atlanta, Georgia
Boston, Massachusetts
Detroit, Michigan
Los Angeles, California
New York City, New York
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Francisco, California

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5) Berkeley Su Abroad

Berkeley Su Abroad

Berkeley Summer Abroad 
Berkeley Summer Abroad offers virtual intensive summer programs built around Berkeley courses and led by Berkeley faculty.
  • Earn Berkeley credit (or UC credit for visiting students) while diving deep into a topic with an international focus.
  • Experience other cultures through sustained and interactive engagement with on the ground communities, virtual excursions, and virtual cultural activities.
  • Courses can satisfy Breadth Requirements and/or Major/Minor Requirements. See individual program pages for more details.

2021 Virtual Summer Abroad programs include:

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6) Rsrch Wkshps & Info Sessions

Rsrch Wkshps & Info Sessions

These online workshops will be especially useful for undergraduates, but are open to all UC Berkeley students (undergraduate, graduate, and visiting scholars) regardless of academic discipline. Please click on the links below for information on workshop and info session content.
SURF Information Session
January 22 | 1 p.m.- 2 p.m. | Online via Zoom, Zoom meeting ID: 874 028 2986
January 28 | 2 p.m.- 3 p.m. | Online via Zoom, Zoom meeting ID: 874 028 2986

Haas Scholars Program Info Session
January 20 | 3-4 p.m. |  Register here

Judith Lee Stronach Baccalaureate Prize Info Session
January 13 | 3-4 p.m. |  Zoom info session
January 22 | 1-2 p.m. |  Zoom info session

For detailed listings of all events, see the undergraduate research calendar.

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