Legal Studies Latest News as of 6/23/23

June 22, 2023

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1) Congrats Shealyn!
2) Congrats Sanjana!

3) LSAT Prep
4) Office Mngr Job
5) Depositions
6) Legal Advocate
7)  Legal Intern

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1) Congrats Shealyn!
Congrats Shealyn!

2023 graduate Shealyn Massey has won the 2023 LSA Undergraduate Student Paper Prize! Congratulations Shealyn!
Here is the title of Shealyn's paper:
“The Legal Consciousness and Legal Mobilization of Queer Asian Pacific Islanders”
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2) Congrats Sanjana!
Congrats Sanjana!
Recent 2023 graduate and Legal Studies Departmental Citation winner has won the 2023 American Sociological Association Section on Sociology of Law’s Undergraduate Student Paper Award! Congratulations Sanjana!
Here is the title of Sanjana's paper:
“Agreements” in Name Only: How Workers Understand Mandatory Arbitration Clauses and Class Action Waivers in Employment Contracts"
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3) LSAT Prep

LSAT Prep

Low-Cost, High-Quality LSAT and GRE Prep

There will be another set of low-cost, high quality, LSAT and GRE prep courses this summer. 

These courses usually take place at UC Davis but will be offered live online again and are open to UCSC undergrads and alum.

You can apply for the LIVE courses (and see testimonials, etc.) at campusprep.org. It takes just 45 seconds to apply.

Fast Facts:
-Campus Prep has a reputation for helping students get great point gains for little cost. We have run the low-cost LSAT prep courses at UCLA, UW, and other schools for the past 10 years. 

We are able to offer these courses for so much cheaper than any similar courses because of our partnerships with law schools, departments, and student groups. We do not need to pay for advertising, and so we can pass the savings to you.

LSAT Course

The live online course preps you for the summer and fall test dates. The comprehensive, 27-hour, live course includes 3 practice exams and costs $285 ($235 if you qualify for financial aid).

Payment plans are available.

The course is taught by a high-scoring, expert instructor. Students who complete the course often get 9-point gains on the LSAT.    

             LSAT PREP COURSE SCHEDULES: 

Live Online LSAT

Tuesdays 4-7pm Pacific

6/27, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8

Proctored (practice) exams: Sat. 7/15 10-1pm, Sat. 7/22 10-1pm, Sat. 8/5 10-1pm

(make up classes and exams available)

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Live Online LSAT

Wednesdays 6-9pm Pacific

7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9

Proctored (practice) exams: Sat. 7/15 10-1pm, Sat. 7/22 10-1pm, Sat. 8/5 10-1pm

(make up classes and exams available)

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Live Online LSAT

Thursdays 5-8pm Pacific

7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, 8/31

Proctored (practice) exams: TBD

(make up classes and exams available)

"The same caliber as traditional prep courses, but it comes at a cheaper cost."

-Kristine Jackson, Dean of Admissions at CU Boulder Law 

You can try out the course by having until midnight on the day of the first class session to receive a full refund for any reason. 

Apply ASAP for the LSAT course at campusprep.org/lsat, as there will likely be more applications than there are spaces available. Email questions to admin@campusprep.org

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4) Office Mngr Job

Office Mngr Job

Phillips Black, Inc., seeks highly motivated applicants who are interested in assisting in the defense of persons facing the severest penalties under law to join our team in Oakland as a Paralegal.
Phillips Black is a 501(c)3 non-profit, public interest law practice. We represent people across the country sentenced to death or life without parole. We also contribute to research, training, and scholarship on post-conviction issues.

Position Description
The paralegal assists with case planning, development, and management, legal research, gathers
facts and retrieves information, drafts and analyzes legal documents and collects, compiles and
utilizes technical information, to make recommendations to the case team.
The position is full-time, requiring forty-hours per week and is hybrid, with a minimum of three
days each week in the Oakland office. This position affords an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience with criminal law and non-profit legal practice and management.

We are looking for our Oakland office and seeking a minimum two-year commitment.


Responsibilities
Paralegal assistance is the primary responsibility for this position. But opportunities for office
management and non-profit management duties will also be part of this position. The list below
provides some representative tasks, but additional duties are assigned as needed.

Case Support
Assist with briefs and filings, including proofreading, preparing exhibits, and
drafting correspondence
Review, index, digest, and/or create chronologies of case documents
Coordinate logistics for expert witnesses and attorneys, including travel, document
provision, and client visits
Support investigations, primarily through records requests and organization, factual
research, and records digests

Office Management
Provide general office support, such as:
Organize and process physical and electronic files
Prepare and mail filings and correspondence
Assist with software/hardware inquiries; troubleshoot user issues
Handle scheduling and other administrative tasks

PHILLIPS BLACK, Inc.
a nonprofit, public interest law practice

New York • Oakland • Philadelphia • St. Louis

Qualifications
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and take initiative, often under deadline
Strong communication skills, both oral and written
Ability to handle sensitive, emotionally-challenging information with discretion
Proficiency with office software, especially Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word and Excel, and
Google Apps
Demonstrated interest in social justice and Phillips Black’s mission
Ability to occasionally lift up to thirty-five pounds
Has Driver’s License

Preferred:
Experience with criminal defense, especially capital cases/post-conviction, and/or
social justice
High proficiency with both MacOS and Windows

Research experience
Degree in related field, e.g. Legal Studies, Non-Profit Management

To Apply
To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references by email to Juliette Peláez at j.pelaez@phillipsblack.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
For more information about Phillips Black and its work, please visit www.phillipsblack.org.

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5) Depositions
Depositions
Legal Studies Fall 2023 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 Fall 2023, 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 during the semester in six (6) Tuesday afternoon classes from 3:35 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., on September 19, September 26, October 17, October 24, November 14, and November 12. 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.)
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 Monique Sanchez, Professor Hecht’s Faculty Assistant, at
msanchez@law.berkeley.edu, by no later than Wednesday, September 6, 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, September 11, 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:

i. Attend all six (6) class role playing sessions, and prepare for the role plays;
ii. 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;
iii. Read materials, posted on bCourses, on participant observation methods; and consider how those method(s) apply to your own experience;
iv. 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; and
v. 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 (sent to msanchez@law.berkeley.edu) when you apply; and he will let Professor Perry know.
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6) Legal Advocate
Legal Advocate
Open Position Advertisement
Legal Advocate

The Agency
Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS) provides legal services to seniors throughout Alameda
County on matters pertaining to prevention of elder abuse, public benefits, housing,
guardianship of minors, naturalization, and health law. LAS also provides individual
counseling and advocacy to Medicare beneficiaries about their Medicare rights and coverage
options through our HICAP Program. Through our Community Education Department, we
provide educational presentations to both seniors and service providers on both Medicare and
legal topics.

This position
This is a full-time, 35-hour/week position at Legal Assistance for Seniors. The Legal Advocate
will support the legal team. This position will be responsible for the initial phone intakes from
potential clients. This position will also assist with filing with the court, mailing notice to
clients and other administrative support. The Legal Advocate will be a member of the Legal
Team and report to the Legal Director.
This is an in-office position, with the option of hybrid work in the future as projects permit.
This position may be asked to file documents at the Berkeley, Oakland or Hayward
Courthouses.
Duties and Responsibilities include:
• Responsible for initial phone intakes from potential clients
• Maintain up-to-date referral lists
• Provide administrative support to attorneys with preparation, service and filing of legal
pleadings
• Mail handouts and other intake materials to potential clients
• Assist with case opening and closing procedures
• Regularly attend legal team meetings
• Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
• High School Diploma or higher
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability and patience to gather extensive client information, and create concise
summaries for attorneys and advocates
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Detail oriented and organized
• Commitment to serving the underserved; sensitivity towards older adults and persons
with disabilities

LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS
Ensuring the independence and dignity of seniors by protecting their legal rights through
education, counseling and advocacy
Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP)

• Computer proficient, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and database
knowledge
• Bilingual desired.
• Experience with customer service preferred
Working conditions & physical requirements
• In-office position, with the option of hybrid work in the future as projects permit
• Proof of COVID vaccination required
• Ability to sit for extended periods and alternate between sitting and motion tasks
frequently
• Ability to use phone and computer systems for long periods of time
• Ability to travel within Alameda County to file documents at the courthouses
Compensation:
Full time, non-exempt wage of $24.18/hour, 35 hours per week. Generous benefits package
including medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage; accrue up to 20 days vacation and
10 days sick time; enrollment in and employer contributions toward 401k plan after 6 months;
pre-tax flexible spending plan (medical, public transportation, childcare) after 6 months.

TO APPLY: Please email a cover letter and resume in PDF format to jobs[at]lashicap.org with
the subject line “Legal Advocate.” In your cover letter please address the following:

LAS serves a very diverse population. Our clients include seniors, people with
disabilities, low-income members of our community, LGBTQ individuals, and people
of color. How have your experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to
contribute to our commitment to cultural humility and equity?
Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question.

Legal Assistance for Seniors is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on ancestry, age, color, disability (physical and mental, includes HIV and AIDS), genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition (gender characteristics, cancer or record or history of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion (includes religious dress and grooming), sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, request for FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act), or any other factor that is not related to the position.
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7) Legal Intern
Legal Intern
Position Title: Legal Intern (All Locations)
Area/Program Focus: I m m i g r a t i o n L e g a l S e r v i c e s , DACA and Citizenship
Focus

Position Summary: 
Catholic Charities East Bay (CCEB) works with youth, children, and families
to promote self-sufficiency, strengthen families, and pursue safety and justice. Our Immigration
Legal Services Department has provided relief for immigrants for over 35years. With a full staff of four attorneys, five Department of Justice accredited representatives, paralegals, law students, support staff, and volunteers in Oakland, Concord, and Richmond, CCEB is one of the largest providers of immigration legal services for low-income families in the East Bay. Some of the immigration legal services CCEB provides are:

• Family-based visa petitions
• Permanent residency (Green Card) application and renewal
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• Citizenship and naturalization
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
• VAWA cases (victims of domestic abuse)
• U-visas (victims of crimes)
• Consultations regarding immigration options
• Removal Defense Cases

The Immigration Legal Intern will be trained and mentored in providing direct service to primarily
Spanish-speaking clients by helping them complete applications for citizenship and renewals for
DACAunder the supervision of an accredited legal representative. As such, they will need to be
fully bilingual in English and Spanish as well as possess excellent communication, writing,
organization, and analytical skills in addition to a high level of professionalism. This is a perfect
opportunity for anyone considering a future career in immigration law and/or wanting to assist
undocumented youth.

The Immigration Legal Internship at CCEB is unpaid and may only be completed for academic
credit at a community college or university. A time commitment of at least 15-20 hours per week
(our offices are open Monday through Friday from 9AM until 5 PM) for at least 3-6 months are
required. Please read CCEB’s requirements below.

Revised:
Reports to: Ingrid Laterza, Legal Service Program Manager

Responsibilities:
Essential Responsibilities:
• Provide basic eligibility screening and document requirements to clients who
request CCEB’s legal immigration services (DACA and Naturalization)
• Schedule confidential appointments with clients at to assist them with completing
their DACA renewals and Citizenship applications
• Answer phone calls, emails, and written correspondence from clients as needed
• Assist CCEB’s legal staff with presentations at outreach and community events, such
as DACA and Citizenship informational sessions and workshops
• Assist legal staff with filing and data entry
• Copy and scan documents as needed

Qualifications/Requirements:
• Must complete a Live Scan background check (to be paid for by CCEB)
• Must complete an online training in recognizing, reporting, and preventing abuse
• A time commitment of at least 15-20 hours per week – at least 2 full 7-hour days per
week – for at least 3-6 months is required
• Must be fully bilingual in English and Spanish
• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (Word and Excel), and
Google Apps (Docs, Drive, and Gmail) is required
• Candidates with experience working in an office environment (particularly legal) preferred
• Candidates with a passion for social justice and immigration law are preferred

Core Competencies:
• Detail-oriented and self-directed
• Computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office and Google Apps)
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Excellent organization and time-management
• Experience giving presentations or speeches
• Professionalism

Accountability:
• Immigration Legal Internship is directly accountable to Catholic Charities East Bay’s legal
staff, Legal Services Program Manager
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