A Message from the Executive Director
The dedication and energy our students bring to their difficult work now more than ever inspires us to envision a better future. Our 2023-24 clinic students have hit the ground running: helping clients imprisoned as teenagers show they are suitable for release on parole; advocating for a child’s release from detention so they can receive needed services in the community; supporting unaccompanied children to obtain protection of special immigrant juvenile status; resolving family disputes collaboratively to reduce trauma for children. We are grateful to our supporters for your partnership in making this work possible.
-Elizabeth Bluestein
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Ninth Circuit Appellate ClinicClinic Students Win New Day in Court for Immigrant Clients
In the spring, Ninth Circuit Appellate Clinic students won a reversal in two immigration cases in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ani Boyadjian ’23 and Jane Kaufman ’23, supervised by Mary Tanagho Ross of Public Counsel and Professor Geoff Kehlmann '14, represented a Mexican immigrant who fled violence due to his mental illness. Robert McMahon ’23 and Molly Okamura ’23, supervised by Mary-Christine Sungaila of Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP and Kehlmann, represented an El Salvadoran woman and son who sought refuge from domestic violence. After the clients appealed pro se from the denial of asylum and other forms of relief, the Ninth Circuit appointed the clinic as pro bono counsel. Over the academic year, the students filed appellate briefs and delivered oral arguments before a three-judge panel. In both cases, the students persuaded the court to reverse a decision from the Board of Immigration Appeals and remand for further proceedings.
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|  | ROSHELL AMEZCUA ’14, DIRECTOR, JUVENILE JUSTICE CLINIC
Prior to joining the JJC, Professor Amezcua was a supervising attorney at The Bronx Defenders, a public defender nonprofit. “It is a dream come true to be appointed to lead the clinic that was so transformative in my legal education,” said Amezcua, who participated in the JJC as a student advocate from 2012-14.
| |  | JOE TRIGILIO, JUDY AND STEVE PAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LOYOLA PROJECT FOR THE INNOCENT
Prior to joining LPI, Professor Trigilio was a supervising deputy federal public defender in that office’s Capital Habeas Unit. “I am thrilled to be leading the incredible attorneys, students, and staff who make up Loyola’s Project for the Innocent," he said.
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Loyola Project for the InnocentCongratulations to Bobby Williams, Latest LPI Client Freed
Over the summer, longtime Loyola Project for the Innocent client Bobby Williams was released from prison on parole after spending 25 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. LPI staff and students assisted alumnus Joseph Magazenni '15 in securing Williams’ release on parole, but they are far from finished with his case. LPI has partnered with Los Angeles law firm Jenner and Block to mount an effort to take Williams’ case back to court and prove his innocence. More >>
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"Working in the clinic was such an enriching part of my 2L year. It really put into practice what I had been learning in my tax classes while exposing me to what it is like to manage a caseload and interact directly with the clients we were helping. It has come up in every interview since then, and people are always impressed with just how much responsibility and ownership I had over my cases. Every student should sign up for a clinic!"Brian Plaut '24 State Income Tax Clinic
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Youth Justice Education ClinicGovernor Signs YJEC's Co-Sponsored Keep-Kids-in-School Bill
The Youth Justice Education Clinic (YJEC) is thrilled to announce that the bill it co-sponsored, SB 274, Keep Kids in School (Skinner), was signed into California legislation by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 9, 2023. For the past year, YJEC has focused its advocacy efforts on raising awareness about eliminating subjective justifications for suspension, such as “willful defiance,” which disproportionately impact students with disabilities and students of color. More >>
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Loyola Immigrant Justice ClinicLIJC's Innovative Advocacy Project Bridges U.S.-Mexico Border
During the summer, the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic (LIJC) traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, to support migrant communities on both sides of the border. LIJC students represented nine DACA recipients seeking advance parole, which allows an immigrant to travel outside the U.S. and return lawfully. Working with Guadalajara's largest migrant shelter, FM4, they developed resources on the rights of unaccompanied children, educated the community, provided consultations to migrants in transit, and advocated for unaccompanied children's rights before Mexican government agencies. All nine DACA recipients, from the greater LLS/LMU community, successfully re-entered the United States and may now more easily access a pathway to legal permanent residency. We look forward to continued binational efforts in the summer of 2024.
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|  Loyola Project for the Innocent hosted the panel “Life After Death,” commemorating the 10th International Wrongful Conviction Day on Oct. 2. LPI students and supporters heard from Gary Tyler and Barry Williams, who each spent more than 40 years on death row before being exonerated. More>>
| |  |  The Center for Juvenile Law and Policy hosted an Independent Forensic Gang Expert College alumni reunion on Oct. 7. The alumni shared valuable input on improving the IFGEC for future cohorts and learned from a mock hearing led by Juvenile Justice Clinic student Mariam Bablanian ‘25 and Luis Gonzalez ‘24. More>>
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- Decline in Crime Within Younger Generations May Shape Juvenile Justice Reform, KCBS-AM, Oct. 8, 2023
- Founder of Exonerated Nation Speaks at Notre Dame Law, The Observer, Sept. 23, 2023
- In Brief: School Suspensions Ban from Berkeley’s Skinner Sent to Newsom, East Bay Times, Sept. 20, 2023
- Bill to Bar 'Willful Defiance' in California Public Schools Clears Both Houses, KION-TV (CBS Central Coast), Sept. 14, 2023
- Frustration and Criticism as L.A. County D.A. Struggles to Reform Sentencing, The Los Angeles Times, August 15, 2023
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