Non-traditional Law Conference Returns to Yale

The Rebellious Lawyering Conference, the nation’s largest student-run public interest law conference, will be held February 21-23 at Yale Law School, 127 Wall Street.

Rebellious Lawyering is an annual gathering that brings together practitioners, law students and community activists from around the country to discuss innovative, progressive approaches to law and social change. Now in its ninth year, the conference highlights non-traditional methods of legal and quasi-legal representation, such as grassroots organizing, as well as alternative ways to impact litigation, direct services and criminal defense.

This year’s conference features 11 panels representing a range of different progressive social issues and social justice concerns. Topics include the Bush administration’s energy policy, violence against animals and its links to violence against women, immigrant workers’ rights, the anti-death penalty movement during the war against terrorism and the future of feminism. In addition, several smaller workshops focus on military recruitment at college campuses, law school faculty diversity, lobbying basics, courtroom advocacy for children and international law and human rights.

An opening address will be given by Maria Blanco, national senior counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, who will discuss “Post 9/11 and Civil Rights in a Global Society.” Blanco is actively involved in immigrant rights, women’s rights, educational equity and employment discrimination as a lawyer, policy analyst and community advocate. Most recently, she led legislative efforts in California to obtain higher education opportunities for undocumented students. Her address will be on February 21, at 6 p.m. in Room 127.

Following the opening address, the screening of “Fighting for Life in the Death Belt” and a discussion with filmmakers Jeff Marks and Adam Elend of E.M. Productions is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. in Room 127. The film profiles Steven Bright, a YLS visiting lecturer who is also the director of the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta. Bright is well known for his work in advocacy for death-row prisoners and anti-death penalty activism.

The keynote address, “With Justice for All,” will be given by Morris Dees, founder and chief trial counsel of the Southern Poverty Law Center, on February 22 at 6 p.m. The center is a nonprofit organization that combats hatred, intolerance and discrimination through education and litigation. Dees founded the center in 1971 and now devotes his time to suing violent white supremacist groups and developing ideas for “Teaching Tolerance,” the center’s educational project. His latest book, “Gathering Storm: America’s Militia Threat,” exposes the danger posed by today’s militia groups.

Conference registration is $20, which may be reduced in case of hardship. Free housing with Yale students is available for student attendees if arranged by February 5. The registration fee covers a potluck dinner, to be held on Saturday night. A reception Friday night will be sponsored by the National Lawyers’ Guild. Attendees may register up to the day of the conference or in person, but pre-registration is necessary for those who want housing, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Both the film on Friday night and the keynote address on Saturday night are open to the public and free of charge.

To register online, go to http://islandia.law.yale.edu/reblaw. For more information about the conference, email alexandra.block@yale.edu. Registration forms and checks may be mailed to Rebellious Lawyering Conference, Yale Law School, P.O. Box 208215, New Haven, CT 06520-8215.

A conference agenda follows.

Rebellious Lawyering
2003 Conference Schedule