Download - SRBLSA Focus II
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SRBLSA REGIONAL CONVENTION
The 40th Annual Southern Regional Convention will be hosted in Raleigh, NC. Alexis Carr, the Convention Coordinator, and her committee are working to ensure that this convention will provide beneficial information, networking opportunities and other aspects that will leverage law students and graduates.
Some of the Workshops for the convention include:
*Path to Becoming General Counsel
*Race & Gender in the Legal Profession
*A Guide to Sports and Entertainment Law
*Using Your JD for More than Lawyering
For more information please visit The Southern Regional Convention
Website We look forward to meeting you in
Raleigh!
ISSUE 2
YEAR 2011
VOLUME 1
AT A GLANCE ................ …………….. 1
UPCOMING EVENTS ....... ……………..1 SRBLSA CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT………..2
SRBLSA SERVICE…………………….3
SRBLSA SALUTES …………………….4
OPPORTUNITIES ………………………4
SRBLSA Focus “Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.”
~Aristotle
At a Glance
Upcoming Events
Southern Regional Convention
January 12-16, Raleigh, NC
Southern Regional Job Fair
January 14, Raleigh, NC
Southern Regional Community
Service January 13, Raleigh, NC
REGIONAL CONVENTION JANUARY 12-16, 2011
Hi BLSA Family,
2011 has arrived and the first order of business is this year’s 40th Regional Convention! Below are some important links that are significant
to the business and success of the convention. Please take a look at each of the links and turn in any applicable information. The SRBLSA
E- Board is excited to meet all those that will be in attendance at the Convention.
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
APPLICATIONS
SRBLSA Chapter of the Year deadline has been extended
(Click on the link below)
Chapter of the Year Documents
SRBLSA ELECTIONS
Holding a SRBLSA Executive Board position is a great opportunity to
travel, network, and meet some of your future colleagues from various schools
throughout the country (Click on the link below)
SRBLSA Election Documents
SRBLSA CONSTITUTION AND
BYLAW PROPOSALS
Members can only make proposed amendments to the SRBLSA bylaws. Proposal forms must submitted by
January 10th, 2011.
(Click on the links below)
Constitution Bylaws
Proposal Forms
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Happy New year BLSA members! As we all prepare to return to our law school routine I challenge everyone to go into this next semester and continue into the New Year with a different outlook and perspective from that of last year. Some of us, the privileged few, will embark on the last semester of law school, while others will further advance our law school careers. Despite our individual directions, take the opportunity to set goals that you know will enhance some aspect of your life. For instance create a list of influential people that you want to meet this year, challenge yourself to try something new each month (step outside your comfort zone), reconnect with old friends, and take a moment each day to reflect and relax. Overall, as law students we may become consumed with our studies; however, never lose sight of the bigger picture. Thus, my greatest challenge to everyone is to live a fulfilling life in which the occasional monotony of law school and your everyday routine do not overshadow your multifaceted personality. Because you are not just a law student; you are that, and so much more!
HAPPY NEW YEAR
BLSA Chapter Spotlight
NEW YEAR’S CHALLENGE!
UT BLSA Black History Month
On February 18, 2010, BLSA was honored to have Rita
Geier give a presentation to the student body. In 1968,
Ms. Geier sued the state of Tennessee to desegregate its
higher education systems and she prevailed. Ms. Geier
was named associate to UT Knoxville Chancellor Loren
Crabtree, and has been charged with helping lead
intercultural efforts and implement goals of the
university's diversity plan and Ready for the World
initiative.
UT BLSA Haiti Ball
In lieu of our annual Mardi Gras Ball, this year we decided that we
would support Haiti after the devastating earthquake that hit in early
January 2010. And so, the UT Chapter of BLSA with the help of other
law school organizations hosted a Masquerade Ball. One-half of all
the proceeds raised went to the “Doctors Without Borders Emergency
Relief Fund.” We chose DWB because it has been working in Haiti
for 19 years. At the time they were operating three emergency
hospitals in Port-au- Prince, and had mobilized a large emergency
response to the disaster. Our contribution was to help enable DWB to
send additional doctors and medical equipment to Haiti. The
following law school organizations helped promote the event and
helped sell tickets: Student Bar Association, Law Women, LAMBDA,
Environmental Law Organization, and Phi Alpha Delta. We also
received generous sponsorship from the following law organizations:
Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis (law firm, Kramer Rayson (law
firm), and Lexis Nexis (research organization). Professors and fellow
law students were also encouraged to donate money if they were not
able to attend the event.
With the sponsorship, donations and the proceeds from the
sales of tickets, we were able to raise and donate $3000 to Doctors
Without Borders.
Emory BLSA Members with the Honorable
Judge Hatchett
Boys & Girls Club Halloween Party
University of Tennessee College of Law
University of Mississippi School of Law
Emory University School of Law
University of Mississippi School of Law
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“Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life…” ~Marian Wright Elderman
SRBLSA SERVICE
Though not nearly all, here are a few great examples of service occurring within our Region:
Wake Forest University School of Law The BLSA Chapter at Wake Forest School of Law recently collected over 300 items of professional clothing
that they donated to local shelters for the benefit of male and female residents beginning their career search. Additionally, the Chapter participated in Project Pumpkin to provide a safe environment for
children to celebrate Halloween with games and goodies.
Barry College of Law In the previous months, Barry College of Law's BLSA Chapter participated in raising awareness of various health issues by taking part in The Heart Walk, The Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon, and The Making
Strides Walk. The Chapter also demonstrated its commitment to the needs of our planet by co-hosting an Environmental Justice Summit on the Campus of Barry University.
Georgia State Law School
The Georgia State Law School BLSA Chapter has served both its members and its community this fall with an Academic Retreat for its Chapter's incoming 1Ls as well as staging a Mock Contracts Exam for them. Among its services to its local community, the Chapter partnered with King Middle School to assist its
students on the Moot Court Team.
Charleston School of Law This fall, Charleston School of Law BLSA members sponsored a fall coat drive and donated the coats to Tri-County Ministries. Additionally, the chapter held its Annual Law School-Wide Community Service Event of
providing gifts to children through the Angel Tree project.
The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Legal Eagles is one of the innovative programs sponsored by The University of Memphis BLSA Chapter. BLSA
members have partnered with a local Elementary School and formed an afterschool program focused on teaching 4th and 5th graders about the many facts of the law. The BLSA members role play, tutor, and provide
the children with a safe, encouraging environment in which to learn and express themselves.
University of Miami School of Law In the Fall semester, the University of Miami BLSA members gathered to participate in three uplifting
community service activities. BLSA members took part in a park restoration project, participated in the annual Ghandi Day of Service working at Zoo Miami, and hosted two activity booths at the annual Canes Carnival that
the University of Miami School of Law hosts for children and youth in the West Grove area.
Cumberland School of Law BLSA members at the Cumberland School of Law recently hosted a Soles 4 Souls shoe drive. The chapter
collected over 100 pairs of shoes which they donated to the Soles 4 Souls International Charity.
Vanderbilt University School of Law The Vanderbilt Chapter of BLSA served its membership, campus body and others as host of the Tennessee Alliance of Black Lawyers’ Law Student Conference. The Chapter, along with one of the Conference’s esteemed speakers, the General Counsel of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, led a discussion on Leadership, Ethics and Legal Opportunities in the Federal Sector.
John Marshall Law School The members of the John Marshall Law School BLSA have furthered the educational efforts of many deserving
students by helping to distribute over 2,000 book bags, complete with school supplies, to underprivileged students in the Atlanta-Metro area.
St. Thomas University School of Law
Once a month throughout the fall, volunteers from St. Thomas University’s BLSA Chapter committed 3+ hours of their time in offering their support to families with children in need of medical care. BLSA members assisted
these families in various ways to overcome the everyday obstacles associated with their children’s medical needs.
Loyola University School of Law
The BLSA Chapter at Loyola has served its community through education and awareness. BLSA Members completed the Annual Angola Trip in which a chartered bus of Loyola law students and faculty visited the
Angola Prison to bring awareness to the percentage of incarcerated African American males in the adult prison system.
University of Georgia School of Law
BLSA members at the University of Georgia School of Law organized a successful four-week long donation drive in support of Hope House, a local assisted-living facility for individuals with mental health disorders. The BLSA
members were able to collect various items that were needed by the Hope House including new and used household furniture, appliances, and other items.
SRBLSA Community Service Initiatives
Reminder: The 2010-2011 SRBLSA Community Service Initiatives are: 1. Rendering Effective Activism in Communities Together (REACT) 2. Human Rights 3. Homelessness
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Oliver White Hill, Sr. Social Action Award
- Deadline: February 28, 2011
o Apply today!
Johnnie L. Cochran Social Consciousness Award
- Deadline: February 28, 2011
o Apply today!
NBLSA's 2011 Lobby Day
- Meet your legislators. Make a difference. Registration closes January 21, 2011. Register today!
4lawschoool.com
- list of internships in various legal areas http://www.4lawschool.com/internships.htm
University of Memphis School of Law
Sasha Gilmore- Small Business Clinic
Geoffrey Lewis- Disability Law
Jessica Reeves- 1L Law Alumni Scholarship Recipient
Elizabeth McClellan- Wrote a winning journal article to be published
Tulane University Law School
Sabine Baptiste-- Maritime Law Journal
Sam Ford -- Environmental Law Journal
Andrea Holmes -- Mock Trial
Tela Justice and Chad Sanders -- Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property
Jamal Knight – Sports Lawyers Journal
Erin Sanders -- ADR Moot Court
Joy Green - Received a financial scholarship from the Louisiana Black Judges Association.
University of Arkansas School of Law
Kambira Jones and Glenn Cason- University of Arkansas School of Law Trial Advocacy
Champions
Cordell Simmons- Honor Council for the Law School
Johnathan Udoka and Dewayne Whitmore- Law Review
Khadijah Abdullah, Journal of Islamic Law and Culture; Junior Editor
Emory University School of Law
Andrew Cooper- "Best Advocate Award" at the Michigan State University College Of Law
National Trial Advocacy Competition.
April Ross, 3L, and Holly Sheffield, 2L- WON the Regional ABA Section of Labor and
Employment Law’s Law Student Trial Advocacy Competition.
o They will move on to compete at the National Competition in Los Angeles January 29-
30.
Samford University Cumberland School of Law
Courtney Snelling - Winning the Magic City Bar Association Scholarship for 2010.
University of Georgia School of Law
Emmanuel Azih - Awarded the Finnegan Diversity IP Scholarship and the Donald W.
Banner Diversity Scholarship.
Lindsey Buckner - Awarded the Wyckliffe A. Knox, Jr. Law School Scholarship.
Kimberly Jones - Named Miss Black Georgia USA 2010 and First Runner up to Miss Black
USA 2010.
Jennifer McNeely - Semi finalist in the Talmadge Moot Court Competition.
Christopher Stokes- Awarded the Black Faculty and Staff Organization’s (BFSO) Founders
Award Stokes, based on outstanding leadership and scholarship at the University of Georgia.
LOOKING FOR LIFE OUTSIDE
OF LAW SCHOOL ?
Do not miss Out on these Opportunities
Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises." ~Demosthenes
SRBLSA SALUTES….
To submit an article or information to SRBLSA Focus
please e-mail the editor, Ashley Pruitt
Suggestions
Visit free Museums
Attend a Play
Play an intramural
sport
Typically every local
newspaper has a “Things
to Do section.” Check it
out and try some of the
activities that are taking
place in your area!