How is the role of a lawyer different if she or he seeks to move forward goals that may be larger than a particular client's interests in an individual case? This course examines the role of lawyers and the legal system in advancing a cause or broad-based public policy; differing models of lawyering; ethical issues related to working as a lawyer within a social movement; the personal impacts of this type of career choice; and strategies employed by lawyers in differing settings from issue-based organizations to government agencies to individual representation. Guest speakers complement readings and lecture. Practice areas that may be discussed include civil rights, environmental justice, immigration, same-sex marriage, and the labor movement.
Students work in teams to produce a paper (approximately 40 - 50 pages) that explores the historiography of a case or advocacy campaign relevant to the course subject matter. Through interviewing relevant parties, attorneys of record, and other potential "parties of interest" as well as reviewing pleadings, media coverage and other documents that establish the historical and social context of the case, students will be asked to provide a critical analysis of the effectiveness of strategies and legal doctrines employed and to provide their recommendations for how attorneys could impact the field. Each team will present their research and conclusions during a class.
This course also serves as the companion class for local, civil standard externship program.