BEJI and Legal Studies Event: Voices of Reentry Event

April is Second Chance Month! To learn about the issues facing people when they emerge from prison, join BEJI and Legal Studies for a film screening of "Voices of Reentry" followed by a panel discussion with formerly incarcerated men and women. Refreshments will be served. 

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

5:30 PM

Schwartz 112

Present & Defend

Brandeis ENACT Advocacy Class

The individuals studying "advocacy for policy change" will make an effort to convince you to support their proposed legislation, covering a variety of topics such as gun control, housing and homelessness, immigrant rights, juvenile justice, menstrual equity, pregnancy care, sex education, universal school meals, and water resources management.

Tuesday, April 25 2023

10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Alumni Lounge

Usdan Student Center

Pre-Law Society is Back! Insight into Law from Alumni

Are you curious about events related to law and seeking connections with other Brandeisians who share your interests and questions about practicing law and going to law school? If so, we invite you to join the newly formed Brandeis Pre-Law Society! Our upcoming Alumni Panel event will provide an excellent opportunity to connect with experienced lawyers and enjoy some pizza while chatting about their experiences in the legal field.

Tuesday, April 25 2023

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Shapiro Campus Center

Legal Studies Trivia - Law & Literature Edition with Professor Breen

On March 16th, Professor Breen joined the Legal Studies UDR to host a Trivia Night for students in the Legal Studies program. The event offered a chance for participants to win a $50 prize and was a thrilling evening for all involved.

Fall 2022 Brandeis Law Journal Now Available

We are pleased to announce that the Fall 2022 issue of the Brandeis Law Journal has been published and is now available for reading. The Brandeis Law Journal is a student-run publication that features articles, notes, and comments on a wide range of legal topics.

The Brandeis Law Journal is published 1-2 times per year and is available both in print and online. We encourage you to read the latest issue and explore the archive of past issues. Congratulations to the editors and contributors of the Fall 2022 issue on a job well done!

New and Exciting Course for Fall 2023!

Forced Migration Clinic

Attention all students interested in human rights law! There is a new course being offered called LGLS Forced Migration Clinic taught by Professor Doug Smith. This course is an incredible opportunity for students to gain real-world experience representing migrants who have fled persecution or torture int heir home countries and seek refuge in the United States. This is a course that will allow students to handle every aspect of representation in cases and causes that may determine whether a client will be granted asylum or face deportation.

Advocacy for Policy Change (LGLS 161b) Students Meet with State Legislators on Beacon Hill

In February Prof. Melissa Stimell’s “Advocacy for Policy Change” (LGLS 161b) class visited the Massachusetts State House, hosted by Brandeis alum and State Senator Becca Rausch ‘01. This class is the basis for and part for ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation, a national, non-partisan program based at Brandeis that engages undergraduates at colleges and universities in state-level legislative change. Prof. Stimell is Academic Program Director of ENACT.

During their visit, students met with state legislators and legislative aides to discuss the bills the students are learning about and advocating...

La’Dericka Hall, a Brandeis Legal Studies Program alumna, is currently a first year associate in the Tax, Employment, and Benefits practice group at Ropes & Gray, LLP (Boston Office). In a recent interview, she spoke fondly of her time at Brandeis and how it prepared her for her current career path. 

Hall noted that the Legal Studies Program at Brandeis provided her with a strong foundation for law school, and she appreciated the commitment of the professors to invest in their students' academic journeys. She also mentioned the program's robust curriculum, which covered a wide variety of legal concepts.

Hall's interest in tax law was sparked during her senior year when she interned at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, where she learned a lot about housing law and housing...

Brandeis Professor Bray Empowers Incarcerated Students Through Philosophy of Justice Class

The inspiring work of a Brandeis Professor Bray and his students at the School of Reentry in Massachusetts is being highlighted for their dedication to providing educational opportunities and promoting critical thinking skills for incarcerated individuals. Felix Rivera, an inmate at the Boston Pre-Release Center, is taking a Philosophy of Justice class with Brandeis Professor Bray and actively participating in discussions on legal theory and public policy with his fellow students. The School of Reentry offers a yearlong program that combines high school and college-level education, job training, and guidance on health and wellness for inmates preparing to re-enter the community. Their success is a testament to the power of education in breaking the cycle of incarceration and creating a more just society for all.

Literature as a tool for rehabilitation: Brandeis professors John Plotz and Rosalind Kabrhel join Suffolk Superior Court's CLTL program

The Suffolk Superior Court’s Changing Lives Through Literature (CLTL) program held its spring graduation ceremony on March 21st. The program brings together probationers with a probation officer, a judge, and an educator in a reading group to confront challenging life topics through the lens of literature. Brandeis professors John Plotz and Rosalind Kabrhel were part of the passionate team that led the program, which included reading several books and short stories throughout the semester, and seven dedicated students completed the program this semester with five attending the graduation ceremony.

Professor Rosalind Kabrhel and BEJI Students Attend Conference on Higher Education in Prison

On Friday, March 24th, Professor Rosalind Kabrhel attended a Conference on Higher Education in Prison at Emerson College with several BEJI students and facilitators.

Professor Curi Joins Students in Providing Healthcare to Underserved Honduran Communities

Professor Sarah Curi shared that she spent her Winter Break in Honduras as Faculty Advisor to Brandeis’ Global Medical Brigades students. She shared it was a true honor to join 20 Brandeis students as they observed and assisted Honduran doctors in providing regular access to affordable health services and medication to residents in under-resourced, rural communities. Global Brigades, an international non-profit with a holistic model, seeks to meet a community’s health and economic goals by “build[ing on] community ownership and collaboratively executes programs with the end goal of sustainably transitioning to a relationship of impact monitoring.” 

She will present again at the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics’ annual conference of Health Law Professors in June. She has spoken on Designing Health Law Courses for Undergrads: Challenges & Opportunities and Content Warning: Pandemic Pedagogy & Other Sensitive Subjects.

To learn more, including their Global Legal Empowerment Brigades, click read more!

"The Environmental Rights Revolution" by David R. Boyd

Celebrating Earth Day this year, we would like to recommend a thought-provoking book that explores the intersection of human rights and environmental protection: "The Environmental Rights Revolution: A Global Study of Constitutions, Human Rights, and the Environment" by David R. Boyd.

Boyd contends in this book that environmental rights need to be accorded the same status as other fundamental human rights, such as the freedom of speech and religion. He examines legal developments around the world and their implications for environmental policy, and argues that a new legal framework is needed to protect the environment for future generations.

The book is particularly relevant for legal studies students and anyone interested in environmental law and policy. It presents a thorough analysis of the legal framework surrounding environmental protection and makes the case for an environmental strategy that is more proactive and all-encompassing.

As we celebrate Earth Day and reflect on our relationship with the natural world, "The Environmental Rights Revolution" reminds us of the important role that law and policy play in shaping our collective future. We encourage you to read this book and consider its insights as we work towards a more sustainable and just world.

This book is available online through Brandeis library website.

Documentary Recommendation: Trial 4 (2020)

Trial 4 is a gripping documentary that follows the story of Sean Ellis, a Black man who was wrongfully convicted of the murder of a Boston police officer in 1993. The documentary delves deep into the corrupt practices of the Boston Police Department and the criminal justice system. In particular, it highlights the ways in which systemic racism and bias can lead to wrongful convictions and injustice.

While Trial 4 may not seem to be directly related to environmental law, it is an important reminder that environmental justice cannot be achieved without addressing systemic injustice and discrimination. The same forces that allow for the exploitation of our planet also perpetuate discrimination against marginalized communities. Trial 4 is a powerful documentary that reminds of us about the work that needs to be done to achieve a more just and equitable society.