Notre Dame’s GALILEE Program Group Alternative Live-In Legal Education Robert L. Jones, Jr. Notre...
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Transcript of Notre Dame’s GALILEE Program Group Alternative Live-In Legal Education Robert L. Jones, Jr. Notre...
Notre Dame’s GALILEE Program
Group Alternative Live-In Legal Education
Robert L. Jones, Jr.Notre Dame Law SchoolOctober 2007
GALILEE Basics
What: A three-day public interest law urban immersion program
Who: First year law students participate. Previous participants run the program.
Where: Cities throughout the country
When: Over winter break during first year
Why: Spur an interest in pursuing public interest law either full time or through pro bono work
GALILEE Basics
How Does It Spur Interest In Public Interest?
Allows students to observe firsthand the urban problems that public interest lawyers confront and how public interest lawyers are addressing them.
Enfleshes public interest law
“I can see myself doing that.”
GALILEE Basics
How many: 50+ students (> 25% of class)
How much (budget): $ 0.00
How many credits: One
How long has it been running: 27 years
GALILEE Basics
NOT a pro bono program
Creates a DISPOSITION to do pro bono work
Structure of Immersions
Small groups of students: 4-7 Cities of their choice Common lodging and meals (allows students
to process experiences) Daytime visits to agencies and law offices
(approximately three visits per day) Service project
Locations of GALILEE Visits
Itineraries
Civil Legal Services Providers Social Service Providers Governmental Agencies Law Enforcement Agencies Law Reform Organizations Prosecutor/Defender Offices Private Law Firm Pro Bono Department
Sample Itinerary – New York
Wednesday January 3, 2007
10:30 am Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom (pro bono coordinator)
2:30pm Brooklyn Family Court
Sample Itinerary – Day 2
Thursday January 4, 2007
10:00 am Legal Aid Society (Criminal Division)
2:00pm Cabrini Immigration Clinic
3:45pm Urban Justice Center
7:00pm NYPD Ride-Along
Sample Itinerary – Day 3
Friday January 5, 2007
10:00am NYC DA
11:00-4:00pm Books for Kids Foundation
(service project)
Why Sponsor GALILEE?
Counter public interest drift and “values drift” in the first year
Literature suggests keys are having some public interest involvement and having a supportive community
Many students are not familiar with social justice problems or the role of public interest lawyers
Program Benefits
“Entire worlds exist in my own country – in my own city – that I basically grew up oblivious to.” GALILEE Participant
Program Benefits
Counters 1L public interest drift:
“GALILEE reminded me of why I came to law school in the first place and energized me for my second semester.” Galilee Participant
Program Benefits
Counters 1L public interest drift:
“After beginning law school, my plans slowly changed. I was acquainted with the reality of graduating with incredible student debt. . . I slowly left behind what I considered just ‘a little girl’s dream.’ While partial to public service, I began to explore other areas. GALILEE caused me to revisit the idea of the law and my role in society as a citizen and as a lawyer.”
Program Benefits
Makes public interest and pro bono work less hypothetical
“GALILEE helped me to get a better sense of what kind of job I would like to pursue upon graduation.” GALILEE Participant
“Before GALILEE, I was unsure exactly how I would find pro bono opportunities that would interest and stimulate me. Now I know.” GALILEE Participant
Program Benefits
Leads to summer public interest jobs
Nuts and Bolts -- Student Driven
Students choose cities (must have at least four participants per city)
Students choose dates Students create own itineraries Past participants serve as program leaders
Nuts and Bolts – Process & Timeline
Formation of Student Leadership Team – Spring Mailing to Incoming 1Ls – Summer Promotion – Orientation talks, student fair, speak to
1L classes, web page -- Fall Informational Lunch Meeting – Early October Organization Lunch Meeting – Late October Fall Orientation Session (1/2 day) – Early November Immersion Over Winter Break Journal and Reflection Paper Debriefing Session (1/2 day) – Late January
(includes other faculty)
GALILEE Web Page
http://law.nd.edu/GALILEE/
Discussion Do you know of other law school programs that provide students with
intensive public interest experiences over over academic breaks? What are the pros and cons of such programs? Could such a program be implemented in your law school? What challenges would you need to overcome? How might the program be designed? Are there elements of the NYU
or Notre Dame program that you would adopt or eliminate? Are there additional features you would add?
How might you deal with the following issues: Funding Promotion/Recruitment Transportation Housing and meals Buy-in from law school administrators/faculty Faculty or staff oversight Credit - Is it possible? Necessary?