Decriminalization Litigation Research Project with Law For Black Lives

Students will conduct legal research related to the ability of community and legal aid organizations to pursue the decriminalization of certain state law drug offenses through offensive litigation. Students also will participate in educational activities as part of Law For Black Lives’ nationwide clinical cohort.

Organization

Law For Black Lives

Law For Black Lives is a national network of radical lawyers, law students, and legal workers of color committed to building the power of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Formed out of the uprisings in Ferguson and Baltimore, L4BL uses the law to embolden, defend, and protect the growing movement for Black liberation. The Bail Reform Landscape Analysis is a collaboration between L4BL, the Mithoff Program, and the People’s Law Firm.

Project Details

Project Start Date

January 2019

Approximate hours of work requested
25 hours total over the course of the semester
Training
Training will be provided on an ongoing basis: students also will have access to materials included in L4BL’s decriminalization curriculum
Skills used
Legal research/writing
Project location
Students will work with Prof. Andrea Marsh at the law school and with L4BL’s supervising attorney via online collaboration
Number of student volunteers requested
5
Class year preference
1L, 2L, 3L, LLM
Required skills
Strong research and writing skills required; students with an interest in movement lawyering and/or criminal legal reform are strongly encouraged to apply
To Apply
Submit email stating interest to Sarah Sedgwick at ssedgwick@law.utexas.edu