Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Human Rights News & Events

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

1. JOIN THE CENTER'S STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD
The Center's Student Advisory Board (SAB) is a group of highly qualified, creative students committed to human rights advocacy. The SAB provides students interested in and committed to human rights the opportunity to participate in the planning and implementation of Center programming, to learn tangible skills beyond the classroom for effective advocacy and activism, and to attend special SAB-only events and receptions. SAB members meet weekly with Center staff and participate in monthly skills development seminars that focus on topics like grant proposal writing, public speaking, lobbying and more. SAB members are also available to answer questions about Center activities or working and interning in human rights as law students. The 2007 SAB members are Amalia Greenberg, Ian Harris, Cori Racela, Miya Saika Chen, Solomon Shinerock, and Jon Tracy. To learn more about the SAB and/or to meet this year's group, go to WCLCenterforHR.org/sab.cfm. To apply, download the application from the Center's website and submit it to humlaw@wcl.american.edu by 5pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2008. Interviews will be held the week of January 28, 2008. We encourage you to apply!

2. JOIN THE STAFF OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS BRIEF  OR SUBMIT AN ARTICLE
The Human Rights Brief, a highly-regarded student-run publication of the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, reports on cutting-edge developments in international human rights and humanitarian law and provides concise legal analyses of current human rights issues for over 6000 subscribers in more than 90 countries. The Brief publishes short articles (3,000 words, with few or no footnotes) written by students, academics and leading human rights practitioners from around the world. It is published three times a year and provides an excellent opportunity for students to publish their work. The Brief will be accepting applications for staff writers and articles editors during the first few weeks of the semester. Importantly, and unlike many other publications, the Human Rights Brief welcomes applications from 1Ls. For more information, contact Co-editors Marisa Bassett and Angela Edman at chief_hrbrief@wcl.american.edu. To consult the submission guidelines, please visit http://www.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief/.

3.UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE INTERNSHIP/EXTERNSHIP
The Ecuadorian Ambassador to the United States, Luis Gallegos, is a member of the United Nations Committee against Torture. He is seeking an intern/extern to assist him in preparing for the 40th Session of the Committee against Torture, which will be held late April/May. The intern will be responsible for legal research and writing regarding compliance with the Convention against Torture for the State Parties scheduled to appear before the Committee in April/May (Indonesia, Iceland, Zambia, Sweden, Algeria, Costa Rica, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). The internship/externship begins immediately. If you are interested, please send a cover letter and resume immediately to Jennifer de Laurentiis, Special Assistant to the Dean, at jdelaurentiis@wcl.american.edu, with “Ambassador Gallegos Internship/Externship” in the subject line.

4. FAIR ELECTION LEGAL NETWORK INTERNSHIP, Apply today!
Seeking reliable, entrepreneurial law student interested in election law to work for the Fair Elections Legal Network (FELN), a nonpartisan network of experienced election lawyers and litigators who work to increase voter participation among traditionally under participating constituencies. Responsibilities include supporting the legal director to identify legal and administrative obstacles impacting voter participation, performing related legal research, identifying pending relevant legal, rulemaking or legislative proceedings, interacting with key voter mobilization and registration organizations and key election officials. Additional responsibilities will include activities associated with ongoing recruitment of experienced election lawyers, and other duties as assigned. Great opportunity for exposure to substantive election law for someone who is a self-starter and comfortable handling significant responsibility. Must possess strong research, analytic, written and oral communications skills and be able meet deadlines.15 hours/week. Stipend: $225/week. Please send cover letter and resume to kneuman@fairelectionsnetwork.com.

5. UN CAT PROJECT, Apply Today!
Applications are now being accepted for WCL’s United Nations Committee against Torture (UN CAT) Project. Dean Grossman, UN CAT Vice Chair, is seeking approximately six WCL J.D. students to assist in preparations for the Committee’s 41st session this November. The Project includes a for-credit seminar on the prohibition of torture, co-taught by Dean Grossman and Project Coordinator Jennifer de Laurentiis, as well as a field component: attending the 41st session in Geneva for one week in November. The session’s agenda currently includes China Macao and Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Serbia, Montenegro, Belgium and Israel.Interested WCL students should submit a one-page cover letter and resume by Monday, February 11, 2008, via email to jdelaurentiis@wcl.american.edu, referencing “UN CAT Application” in the subject line. Applications should address experience in international human rights law. Decisions will be made by late March 2008 and applicants will be notified via email. For more information about the Project, visit www.wcl.american.edu/ilp/uncat.

6. HELTON FELLOWSHIP PROVIDES SUMMER FUNDING FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS WORK, Deadline to apply is February 15, 2008
Funded in part by contributions from ASIL members, Helton Fellowships provide financial assistance in the form of “micro-grants” for law students and young professionals to pursue field work and research on significant issues involving international law, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and related areas.  Helton Fellowship micro-grants are intended to ensure that these individuals have access to modest amounts of funding that can often stand between them and their first professional opportunities to become effective practitioners, experts, and scholars of international law. Fellows will undertake their project in association with an established educational institution, international organization, or non-governmental organization working in areas related to international law, human rights, and humanitarian affairs. ASIL does not assist in securing organizational sponsoring for Fellows. Deadline to apply is February 15, 2008. For more information, go to: http://www.asil.org/aboutasil/heltonindex.html.

7. ABA JOHN J. CURTIN, JR. JUSTICE FUND 2008 SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Curtin Justice Fund Legal Internship Program is seeking motivated law student interns to apply for stipends available for the Summer 2008 Program. The applicants should have a position offered, contingent on funding, from a qualified organization. The program will pay $2,500 stipend to 3 law students who spend the summer months working for a bar association or legal services program designed to prevent homelessness or assist homeless or indigent clients or their advocates. All law students are eligible. Applications must be postmarked by March 24, 2008. Applications requirements and additional information available at: http://www.abanet.org/homeless/curtin_application.html. Please contact the ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty at (202) 662-1694 or via email at homeless@abanet.org with any questions.

8. EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS ANNOUNCES 6 AMERICORPS ATTORNEY POSITIONS
Recruitment for the 2007-08 Pro Bono Legal Corps (PBLC) is now underway. The PBLC is an Equal Justice AmeriCorps-funded program that places law school graduates at nonprofit and legal aid organizations to develop quality pro bono opportunities that expand legal resources in low-income and underserved communities. AmeriCorps Attorneys serve up to two 11-month terms, starting in August 2008. Positions are located at sites in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Boston, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Helena, and other cities around the country. The Pro Bono Legal Corps is an excellent first step to building a career in public interest law. More information about these positions is available at www.equaljusticeworks.org/programs/pblc/apply.

9. INNOCENCE PROJECT SEEKS SPRING INTERN, Apply Today!
The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project is a small non-profit organization that is dedicated to preventing and correcting wrongful convictions. Our primary focus is investigating and litigating the claims of prisoners who we believe have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. We are seeking a legal intern for the winter/spring semester who can commit 10 to 15 hours per week. The duties of the intern will include: (1) completing initial evaluation of questionnaires and appellate briefs that have been sent by prisoners seeking our help; (2) screening cases that meet our basic criteria, which may include reading trial transcripts, interviewing defendants, and conducting preliminary investigation; and (3) attempting to locate physical evidence in cases where prisoners hope to obtain post-conviction DNA testing. The ideal candidate is an organized, clear writer who is passionate about criminal justice issues and is capable of working in a self-directed manner. Ability to read Spanish is a plus but is not required. Please email a resume, cover letter, short writing sample, and three references to Shawn Armbrust, Executive Director, at innocenceproject@wcl.american.edu. Applicants with questions can email Ms. Armbrust or call at (202) 274-4199.

10. TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION LEGAL INTERNSHIPS
The in-house Legal Department of the Transport Workers Union, Local 100, welcomes applications from 2L/3L law students for the Summer of 2008. Candidates should possess a strong interest in social justice and worker advocacy. Legal Interns will assist with disciplinary and contract arbitrations, participate in client interviews, advocacy, accompany attorneys to administrative hearings and court, and perform legal research. TWU Local represents over 35,000 workers in the New York City transportation system. The Transport Workers Union of America was founded in 1934 as an industrial union dedicated to the promise that an organization built on trust and equality for all workers cannot be denied. TWU is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the worldwide International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). We are a trade union representing workers in municipal Mass Transportation. Our motto is "United-Invincible." Students of color with interest in labor law are particularly encouraged to apply. Academic credit may be arranged. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until March 1, 2008. Please send a resume and letter of interest to: Retu Singla, Staff Attorney, TWU Local 100, 80 West End Avenue, New York, New York 10023, fax no. (212) 362-4305 or via email rsingla@twulocal100.org.

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