Spring Break Pro Bono Trips
2014
Trip Options
1) Voting Rights with Mexican American
Legal Defense Fund (San Antonio, Texas)
2) Joint Use Project with Delta
Directions/Harvard Mississippi Delta
Project (Clarksdale, Mississippi)
3) Immigration Border Work with No More
Deaths (Tucson, Arizona)
4) Local Boston-area pro bono projects
(Boston and/or Cambridge,
Massachusetts)
Voting Rights with MALDEF
Voting Rights with MALDEF
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MALDEF attempting to directly reverse the
damage from Shelby County v. Holder.
1) Legal research, getting evidence and
witnesses ready for redistricting case that
could result in extending Voting Rights Act
preclearance coverage in one of the most
critical states for minority voters
2) State voter ID challenges to the US
Election Assistance Commission
May also be additional cases and client
work active at the time.
Voting Rights with MALDEF
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Students to learn from San Antonio’s rich
history of civil rights issues and the work
that has been done establishing
education, voting, and other rights for
immigrant and minority communities.
Four or five students will be selected for
this trip.
More at www.maldef.org
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.
Mississippi passed House Bill 540, which limits
the liability of school districts for claims
arising from the joint use of their
facilities. Goal to promote more recreational
and sports activities for Mississippi children by
facilitating greater use of school property.
With HLS Delta Fellow Desta Reff desta.reff@ssrc.msstate.edu
Delta Directions/HLS Delta Project
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Compile toolkit for Mississippi schools to
implement joint use agreements with
community organizations to use the school
facilities during non-school hours.
Students will conduct research on joint
use best practices, in person meetings and
interviews with local school officials.
Students provide a short overview and
training on joint use toolkit to local
schools at end of the week.
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)
Optional night in Memphis Saturday before
or after
No More Deaths
No More Deaths
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Mission is to end migrant deaths in the
region of the US/Mexico border and
provides humanitarian aid.
Published reports detailing treatment of
detainees by Border Patrol.
Filed complaints with DHS’ Office of Civil
Rights and Civil Liberties, and have
collaborated with the ACLU of New
Mexico’s Regional Center for Border Rights
in documenting abuses.
No More Deaths
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Specific student work to be determined, may
not all be eligible for HLS pro bono credit
Learn about U.S. laws and policies concerning
border security and migration and legal
boundaries of assisting migrants and providing
humanitarian aid.
With Emily Leung and Phil Torrey from HIRC
Spanish language skills helpful, but not
required.
More at www.nomoredeaths.org
No More Deaths
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Up to 8 students
Rental SUV cars
Hotels on weekend before/after
Housing - floor space in a donated
building in Tucson and/or sleeping
outdoors in a camping-type environment:
Bring own sleeping bag and ground pad.
Desert temperatures, strenuous physical
activity, and flexible daily schedules.
Normal health and safety risks of camping
in the Southwestern desert.
Boston/Cambridge
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Work with local nonprofit and legal
services organizations TBD
Could include working directly with clients,
working in the courts, preparing know
your rights materials, and legal research
and writing.
No overnight or long-distance travel
required.
As many students as can be
accommodated will be selected.
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
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)
Need volunteers to rent car and be
reimbursed for car and gas (full
amount)
Hotels reimbursed or paid in advance
by HLS
$ Depends on number of final
participants
Application
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Must submit interest form and resume by
Wednesday, January 15 (on OCP
website)
Decisions announced by Friday, January
24
Selected students must commit by making
airfare reservations soon after
Decisions based on a final composition of
students representing a range of class
years, perspectives, skills, or experience
relevant to project
Student Requirements:
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Attend group meeting before trip
Reading material 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
Questions?
Contact:
Lee Branson Mestre in Clinical and Pro
Bono office
WCC 3085, 495-5202, lbranson@law