WCL Events

1. HEALTH LAW AND JUSTICE INITIATIVE MEETINGS
Wednesday, August 29, 12-1pm, Rm. 526
Come learn about health law opportunities at WCL (lunch provided).  Come to an introductory meeting to learn about the different aspects of health law and opportunities to become involved in WCL’s health law society, the Health Law & Justice Initiative.  If you are interested in health policy, health as a human right, and/or law as it pertains to bioethics, food and drugs, hospital administration, organ donation, etc., the HLJI has opportunities for you as 1L section representatives, and in planning and attending health law events.  Email hlji@wcl.american.edu with questions.  All are welcome and invited.      

2.  GET INVOLVED IN THE CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAW Thursday, August 30, 12-1:20pm, Rm. 402
Come learn about the variety of Center projects, student initiatives and opportunities for involvement that the Center provides.  Represented projects will include the Human Rights Brief, the Genocide Teaching Project, the Student Advisory Board, Action for Human Rights Experiential Learning Projects, Alternative Spring Break, the Human Rights Film Series, and more. Lunch will be served.  Please contact humlaw@wcl.american.edu for more information.

3.  LAW STUDENTS FOR CHOICE INTRODUCTION MEETING
Thursday, September 6, 12-12:50pm, Rm. 602
Come learn about how to participate in Law Students For Choice, WCL’s Pro-Choice student organization.  You will meet the executive board , have a tasty lunch, and hear about our plans for the year.  Please contact Aurora, ah9037a@wcl.american.edu. 

4. Public Interest Student Coalition Introductory Meeting
Thursday, September 6, 4-6pm, Rm. TBA
This first meeting will introduce the Public Interest Student Coalition and the initiatives planned for the semester. All students, first year through fourth year, are welcome to attend. We will briefly introduce the organization at both 4PM and 5PM for anyone who can't make the earlier time. The Public Interest Student Coalition (PISC) is a non-hierarchical student organization founded in 2006 that is dedicated to building and supporting a dynamic public interest community of students, alumni, and allies at the Washington College of Law. For more information, please email pisc@wcl.american.edu

5.  WANT A TASTE OF HUMAN RIGHTS? JOIN US FOR "MUNCHING ON HUMAN RIGHTS"!
September 11, 2007, 12-1:20pm, Rm. 401
Interested in human rights but stuck studying civil procedure and torts? Munching on Human Rights is an introductory program designed to educate and engage students, especially 1Ls, about basic issues in international human rights and humanitarian law. Held once a month, Munching gives you a great opportunity to informally interact with WCL's internationally-known faculty and get a "taste" of international law. Please join us on September 11th for an introduction to human rights with Hadar Harris, Executive Director, Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, discussing What Do You Mean When You Say "Human Rights?"  All students are welcome. Pizza will be served.

6.  LAW STUDENTS FOR CHOICE WACDTF CLINIC ESCORT TRAINING
September 11, 2007, 5-7pm, Rm. 402
Law Students For Choice is hosting a Clinic Escort Training by the Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force.  Come learn how you can volunteer to keep DC area health clinics safe for all that use them.  Please contact Aurora, ah9037a@wcl.american.edu.

 

WCL Announcements

1. WAR CRIMES RESEARCH OFFICE (WCRO) SEEKS DEAN'S FELLOWS
Perform Legal Research Projects with the WCRO: The War Crimes Research Office is seeking Dean's Fellows for Fall 2007. JDs (2L and 3L) and LLM students are eligible to work on major legal research projects prepared exclusively for international criminal courts and tribunals on issues of critical importance to these institutions. Interested students with a background in public international law, particularly international criminal/humanitarian/human rights law, are especially encouraged to apply, as are those with prior volunteer experience at the WCRO. The time commitment will be a minimum of 20 hours a week. Please submit a resume, cover letter, short writing sample, and transcript (unofficial is fine) to Susana SaCouto, Director, War Crimes Research Office, by email at warcrimes@wcl.american.edu. The deadline for applications is Wed., August 29 at NOON. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

2. ACADEMY ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAW SEEKS DEAN'S FELLOWS AND ASSISTANTS
Assistant Program Coordinator: The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is looking for an Assistant Program Coordinator to provide critical administrative support in the coordination of the 2008 Summer Program and Human Rights Month. This position will work closely with the Program Coordinator in all the aspects related to the Summer Program. This is a unique opportunity to interact with the faculty that will teach our courses as well as with the participants that come from around the world. Experience with event planning is a plus since during Human Rights Month the Academy hosts over 15 events that include panels, a film festival, and social activities. This position requires excellent organization skills, flexibility, capacity to multi-task, close attention to detail, ability to work as a team, and good customer service. The salary for this position is $14 dollars an hour for 27 hours each week. Please send your cover letter, resume and short writing sample (10 pages max.) to hracademy@wcl.american.edu indicating "Summer Program Assistant Fall 2007" in the subject line by August 20th. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

3. PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE TO THE SUMMER LAW PROGRAM IN THE HAGUE
The WCRO also seeks a Dean's Fellow to provide administrative assistance to its Summer Law Program in The Hague. We are looking for students to assist in developing course materials, marketing the program and undertaking administrative tasks. We value attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and familiarity with Microsoft Office programs. Experience or interest in international law, program management, and study abroad are all great assets. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter highlighting relevant experience to Susana SaCouto, Director, War Crimes Research Office, by email at warcrimes@wcl.american.edu. The deadline for applications is Wed., August 29, at NOON.  If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by our office at 4910 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Suite 16, call us at 202-274-4067, or e-mail warcrimes@wcl.american.edu.

4. PART-TIME ASSISTANT POSITION AVAILABLE WITH THE ACADEMY
The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is looking for one part-time assistant for the Fall 2007 semester, with the potential to continue in the Spring semester. The assistant will be required to work 27 hours per week to provide support in the implementation of research and educational projects in the US and Latin America and conduct legal research in international human rights law as needed. The position will include supervising volunteers. Excellent writing skills in English and knowledge of Spanish are essential. Part-time 1Ls are encouraged to apply. The salary for this position is $12/hour. If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your cover letter, resume and short (10 pages max.) writing sample to hracademy@wcl.american.edu indicating "Part-Time Assistant Fall 2007" in the subject line.

5. DEAN'S FELLOW NEEDED TO HELP COORDINATE THE SUMMER PROGRAM
The Academy seeks a Dean's Fellow to work 20 hours a week primarily in the coordination of the Summer Program as well as other special projects which can include legal research. The Fellow will work closely with the Program Coordinator and the Assistant Program Coordinator. Knowledge of Spanish and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite is highly desirable. Please send your cover letter and resume to hracademy@wcl.american.edu indicating “Dean's Fellow SP Fall 2007” in the subject line ASAP. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

6. ACADEMY CO-DIRECTOR AND PROFESSOR CLAUDIA MARTIN SEEKS A DEAN'S FELLOW FOR THE FALL 2007 SEMESTER
Fellow will be required to work 20 hours per week doing legal research in international human rights law. Legal research experience in human rights and international law, as well as working knowledge of Spanish, though not required, are a plus. If you are interested in applying for this position, you should send your cover letter and resume to hracademy@wcl.american.edu. Please indicate “Prof. Martin Research Assistant Dean's Fellow Fall 2007” in the subject line. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

7. ACADEMY CO-DIRECTOR AND PROFESSOR DIEGO RODRIGUEZ-PINZON SEEKS A DEAN'S FELLOW FOR THE FALL 2007 SEMESTER
Fellow will be required to work 20 hours per week doing legal research in international human rights law. Legal research experience in human rights and international law, as well as working knowledge of Spanish, though not required, are a plus. If you are interested in applying for this position, you should send your cover letter and resume to hracademy@wcl.american.edu. Please indicate “Prof. Rodriguez-Pinzon Research Assistant Dean's Fellow Fall 2007” in the subject line. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

8. THE IMPACT LITIGATION PROJECT SEEKS TWO DEAN'S FELLOWS
The Impact Litigation Project is looking for two Dean's Fellows for the Fall with the potential to continue through the spring semester to work on freedom of expression cases. Candidates must be fluent in both English and Spanish, have excellent writing skills in both languages and have a proved interest in human rights issues. This is an excellent opportunity for 2Ls, 3Ls and LLMs to work with Dean Grossman and the lawyers at the Impact Litigation Project; gain experience in human rights international litigation; and get an inside look at impact litigation strategy-drafting. The Dean's Fellows will be required to work at least 20 hours per week researching and drafting legal memoranda as well as providing administrative support. If you are interested in applying to this position please send an email with a cover letter, resume and short writing sample (10 pages max.) to Agustina Del Campo at delcampo@wcl.american.edu and put “Dean's Fellow Fall 2007” in the subject line. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

9. WOMEN AND THE LAW PROGRAM SEEKS DEAN'S FELLOW
Are you interested in working on women's rights issues? Do you want to gain experience such as event planning, website and database management and marketing that will help you after you graduate? The Women and the Law Program is looking for a Dean's Fellow for the Fall 2007 semester to assist with our many upcoming events and conferences as well as communicating with students from around the world regarding the opportunities to study gender and the law at WCL. Responsibilities will include managing the list serve, website, and database we use to communicate with the campus community, potential students, and women's rights groups around the globe and preparing outreach and promotional mailings to potential Gender and the Law LLM Specialization students around the world. Organizational and writing skills are important, and interest in gender issues and/or women's rights is preferred. To apply, send a cover letter, resume and a short writing sample to Angie McCarthy at angiem@wcl.american.edu, with “Fall Dean's Fellow” in the subject line. A minimum commitment of 10hrs/week is required. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

10. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CLINIC SEEKS ONE TO TWO DEAN'S FELLOWS FOR FALL 2007 AND SPRING 2008 SEMESTERS
These positions are paid through tuition remission, and usually consist of a 14-week commitment per semester, of 10-20 hours of work per week. Work may be for one or both semesters though working both semesters is preferred. Dean's Fellows work under the supervision of the Clinic faculty and are responsible for maintaining a portion of the Clinic's case load, comprised of asylum, international human rights, and immigrant worker rights cases. In addition, the Dean's Fellows will be expected to assist in clinic simulations, clinic-related legal research, collecting seminar materials, and general case management. Because of the work required, asylum and/or international human rights practice is preferred, as is foreign-language fluency (especially Spanish and French). Please submit resume and cover letter via email to Jayesh Rathod at jrathod@wcl.american.edu by Friday, August 31, 2007. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so please apply early. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

11. JENNIFER DE LAURENTIIS, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE DEAN, IS SEEKING A DEAN'S FELLOW FOR THE FALL
The position involves 10-20 hours per week of legal research and writing, as well as administrative tasks. Knowledge or better of Spanish is helpful, though not required. Interested students should promptly submit a cover letter and resume via e-mail to jdelaurentiis@wcl.american.edu, indicating “Dean's Fellow” in the subject line. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

12. CATHY SCHENKER, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL STUDIES PROGRAM, IS LOOKING FOR A FALL 2007 DEAN'S FELLOW
The fellow will research legal issues, create fact patterns, and write two sample memos for Prof. Schenker's legal research and writing class-a class designed for LLM students from non-common law backgrounds. Strong writing skills are a must. International experience is preferred. Candidates must be currently enrolled as JD students in order to be eligible for this position. 10 hours/week. To apply: Submit a Writing Sample and Law School Transcript to Cathy Schenker in room 345 or via e-mail to schenker@wcl.american.edu. PLEASE NOTE: Dean's Fellowship positions are open to full-time or part-time 2L, 3L, 4L and LLM Students - as well as part-time 1L students.

13.  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP ORGANIZE THE 13TH INTER-AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS MOOT COURT COMPETITION
As one of the only trilingual (English, Spanish & Portuguese) moot court competitions in the world, WCL's Competition brings together nearly 200 students from all over the world for a week of tough competition (and great fun) at WCL in late May. The Competition is dedicated to the advancement of the Inter-American human rights legal system and involves a large number of prominent attorneys and volunteer judges, experts from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and more. During the week, participants attend receptions and events, participate in training opportunities, and visit international organizations such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. We also throw an awesome Salsa-dancing party!!!! Volunteers are needed to communicate with participants, recruit judges, research the Bench Memorandum and plan the various events of the Competition. The Competition particularly seeks Spanish and Portuguese speaking volunteers (but not exclusively!). If you are interested, please email the Competition at iamoot@wcl.american.edu or call 202-274-4215. For more information, visit our website at www.wcl.american.edu/humright/mcourt.

14. THE ACADEMY ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAW SEEKS VOLUNTEERS!
Help Create a Database on the Applications of International Law in Domestic Court Decisions: Prof. Claudia Martin, Co-Director of the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, seeks students to serve as Assistant to the Editorial Board for the project Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Law. The project is sponsored by Oxford University Press and the Amsterdam Center for International Law at the University of Amsterdam and entails the creation of a database on international law in domestic court decisions representing countries from all over the world. The students will review a selection of cases submitted by reporters based in different countries, compare them to applicable guidelines, make comments and suggestions as to the final selection, communicate with reporters and guide them on how to write a report and commentary on the selected cases, review the report and commentary and make suggestions to the members of the Editorial Board. Since the cases come primarily from Latin America, knowledge of Spanish is essential. The reports will be produced in English, but the student will consult the full text of the original decision as part of the review process. The final version of the report will be posted in the Oxford University Press database. These volunteer positions require a commitment of 10 hours per week. If you are interested, please send your resume to cmartin@wcl.american.edu and put “Volunteer Fall 2007” in the subject line.

15. TRANSLATE AND SUMMARIZE INTER-AMERICAN COURT AND INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS DECISIONS FOR OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS PROJECT!
The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is looking for self-motivated WCL students interested in joining them in an exciting project with Oxford University Press. The project entails drafting summaries in English of the Inter-American Court and Inter-American Commission on Human Rights decisions from their Spanish or English original versions. Thus we are seeking two types of volunteers: those who will translate and summarize from Spanish to English and those who will summarize from English to English. This is a great opportunity for students with excellent writing skills to contribute to wider international recognition of the Inter-American Human Rights System. The Academy seeks 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, and LLMs who can dedicate between 5-10 hours/week to the project. This project is eligible to fulfill your Pro Bono Honors Pledge. If you are interested, please send your cover letter and resume to Matias Hernandez, Researcher-in-Residence, matias@wcl.american.edu and put “Oxford Volunteer Fall 2007” in the subject line.

16. THE IMPACT LITIGATION PROJECT SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
The Impact Litigation Project promotes the rule of law and democracy within the region through international litigation of pivotal cases selected by experts for maximum ability to shape and change policy and legislation in Latin America, and to advance debate and changes to human rights standards. The ILP seeks 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, and LLMs who can dedicate between 5-10 hours/week to the project. This is an ideal opportunity for students who have an interest in international human rights law to become familiar with international organizations in this field. Please let us know if you are interested in the project. For more information or questions, visit our website at http://www.wcl.american.edu/ilp/ or contact Agustina Del Campo at delcampo@wcl.american.edu.

17. THE INTERNATION VISITING SCHOLARS PROGRAM (IVSP) SEEKS DEAN’S FELLOW
The IVSP welcomes scholars, judges, lawyers, and government officials from all over the world, with an opportunity to engage in research and scholarship.  The IVSP Dean’s Fellow will work with the International Programs Coordinator to offer a program which fosters professional development, cultural understanding, and group cohesion.  S/he will be highly organized and independent, have a superior interpersonal communication skills, have genuine interest in learning about other cultures, and be able to handle various tasks at once.  Ability to speak Chinese is a plus.  This paid position is 20 hours per week. For more information about the application process, please contact Claire Shoolin at cshoolin@wcl.american.edu.

18. THE HUMAN RIGHTS BRIEF IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR JUNIOR STAFF
The Human Rights Brief is seeking Articles Editors and Staff Writers.  Applications are now available outside the Human Rights Brief office (Room 630).  Applications will be due Wednesday, September 5 at 5:00 p.m.  A completed application will include a cover letter; a resume or CV; an editing exercise and author memo; and a writing exercise.  Please place completed application materials in an envelope and drop into the bin outside the Human Rights Brief office.  Please also sign up for an interview on the sheet posted on the door.  Pick up an application and visit www.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief/ for more details.  If you have questions, please contact Marisa R. Bassett and Angela Edman at chief_hrb@wcl.american.edu.  

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NOTE: If you would like to submit a human rights-related event or announcement to the Center’s listserv, please send an email to humlaw@wcl.american.edu.

To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Center’s listserv, please follow instructions at: http://roster.wcl.american.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=chrhlupdate&A=1.

The Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law compiles a newsletter at the start of each semester and distributes it to all students, faculty and staff as a resource for upcoming human rights events and opportunities at WCL. We hope you find it useful and look forward to seeing you at the many events that the Center and other offices and student groups have planned throughout the Fall. To access the Fall 2007 newsletter, please visit the following site: http://www.wcl.american.edu/humright/center/newsletter/fall07_newsletter.cfm