Spring Break Pro Bono Trips
2016
Trip Options
1) Civil rights and predatory probation with Equal
Justice Under Law (Tennessee or Alabama)
2) Human rights in Uganda
3) Legal resources for artists with Delta
Directions/Harvard Mississippi Delta Project
(Clarksdale, MS)
4) Immigration asylum with ProBAR (Harlingen, TX)
5) Local Boston-area pro bono projects (Boston and
Cambridge, MA)
Civil Rights with Equal Justice
Under Law
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Following up on last year’s trip by
contributing to a civil rights lawsuit that
resulted from that work, Rodriguez v. PCC
filed in October 2015
Against Providence Community
Corrections (PCC), predatory private
probation company that extracts money
from misdemeanor probationers through
constant fines and illegal threats of
incarceration.
Civil Rights with Equal Justice
Under Law
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Seeking out and interviewing more
indigent PCC probationers and others with
knowledge of the private probation system
and misdemeanor courts in Rutherford
County.
Students will gather stories and draft
affidavits that will help the plaintiffs in the
class action lawsuit at summary judgment
and other stages of the case.
Civil Rights with Equal Justice
Under Law
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Supervised by Alec Karakatsanis and Phil
Telfeyan, HLS alumni and PSVF
Four students will be selected for this trip.
More at www.equaljusticeunderlaw.org
Rental cars
Hotels
Working with communities and
activists on human rights in Uganda
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***Pending safety review of region
and project***
Working with communities and
activists on human rights in Uganda
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Kampala, Uganda
Hired van
Guest House
Four students
Friday - Sunday
Delta Directions/HLS Delta Project
Delta Directions/HLS Delta Project
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Clarksdale -Birthplace of the blues
Delta region highest food insecurity and
obesity rates in the country.
With Crossroads Cultural Arts Center (CCAC),
works with local artists to help them monetize
their craft in sustainable ways to help build
the local economy.
Conduct research on the legal rights and
obligations of local artists regarding their
work.
Delta Directions/HLS Delta Project
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In person meetings and interviews with
CCAC board members, local artists, and
other Mississippi arts organizations.
Create legal guide materials for artists,
writers, musicians, and visual artists on
intellectual property rights, licensing
obligations, etc.
Provide an in-person training session at
the CCAC for local artists to attend.
Delta Directions/HLS Delta Project
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4 law students
Housing at Riverside Hotel http://www.ratpackstlouis.com/riverside_
hotel.htm
Rental car(s)
Fly in and out of Memphis -Optional night
in Memphis before or after
With HLS Delta Fellow Desta Reff desta.reff@ssrc.msstate.edu
ProBAR Texas Border
ProBAR Texas Border
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South Texas Pro Bono Asylum
Representation Project (ProBAR) provide
pro bono legal services to asylum seekers
detained in South Texas by the United
States government.
Recruits, trains and coordinates volunteer
attorneys, law students and legal
assistants.
ProBAR Texas Border
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Four students
Adult Detention Project likely an asylum case.
May also be a Legal Permanent Resident or
undocumented immigrant who needs help with
cancellation of removal application.
Majority of the adult detained population is
from Mexico and Central America. Also "third
language speakers," immigrants from Somalia,
Nepal, and other countries. Interpreters are
available.
ProBAR Texas Border
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Observe know your rights presentations
and workshops at the shelters and
detention center.
Four students.
Spanish fluency helpful but not required.
Harlingen, TX
4 students
Rental cars
Hotel
Boston/Cambridge
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Projects and host organizations to be
finalized.
Possibly criminal records sealing with
individual clients at Greater Boston Legal
Services
And direct client services at the Boston
Municipal Court Service Center – assist
with pro se forms.
Boston/Cambridge
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No overnight or long-distance travel
required
As many students as can be
accommodated will be selected.
Application Process late
January/early February
Legal Work
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All legal work is eligible for HLS pro
bono credit
Travel and training time not for pro
bono credit (may not reach 40
hours)
Must work all days required by
specific trip
Student Costs
Students will pay for their own:
▪ food
▪ transportation to and from Boston
airport
▪ baggage fees
▪ entertainment
▪ some airfare or travel - less than
$250 depending on final number of
students
Funding
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Students must book own flight (if
applicable) and receive travel grant
after
$ paid by students for airfare depends
on number of final participants and
costs at time
Need volunteers to rent car and be
reimbursed for car and gas (full
amount)
Hotels reimbursed or paid in advance
by HLS
Application
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Must submit interest form and resume by
Monday, November 30 (on OCP website)
Decisions announced early December
Selected students must commit by making
airfare reservations by Thursday,
December 10
Decisions based on a final composition of
students representing a range of class
years, perspectives, skills, or experience
relevant to project
Anticipating more applications than slots
Student Requirements:
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Attend group meeting before trip
Reading material and training before
trip
Written evaluation upon your return
Travel grant paperwork
HLS Pro Bono paperwork
Keep In Mind
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You must be flexible
You are going to help
Volunteers needed to be a trip leader
and help coordinate, be point of
contact for placement
Volunteers needed to rent cars
(preferably over 25) and pay hotels
on credit card if necessary and be
reimbursed
Questions?
Contact:
Lee Mestre -lmestre@law
Sheryl Dickey – sdickey@law
Clinical and Pro Bono office
WCC 3085, 495-5202