A Message from the Executive Director
After a school year like no other, a stellar group of students is about to graduate from the LSJLC clinics and take lessons learned from our clients into their practice. Please join us in congratulating them. Events of this past week remind us again that our fight to create the world we want to live in is far from over. We thank you for supporting our clinics as we ramp up policy work in areas such as education rights, wrongful conviction, immigration and juvenile justice reform, and expand clinical opportunities for students to advocate for worker's rights, the rights of crime victims and more.
-Elizabeth Bluestein
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2021 Outstanding Clinical Student AwardsThis year’s Loyola Social Justice Law Clinic superlative students contributed to a Supreme Court amicus brief, welcomed clients home from prison and juvenile detention, supported clients’ futures through education and re-entry advocacy, empowered immigrants, and helped families mediate disputes—just to name a few of the accomplishments that qualified these graduating students for 2021 Outstanding Clinic Student Awards. Read about all of them and please join us in our warmest congratulations to them all.
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|  | LPI Client Andrew Wilson Receives a Finding of Factual Innocence
With the help of attorneys at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, Loyola Project for the Innocent (LPI) client Andrew Leander Wilson has received a finding of factual innocence for the crime of which he was wrongfully convicted and spent 32 years in prison. “Mr. Wilson has maintained his innocence from the day he was arrested. He has never wavered and never stopped fighting to prove his innocence,” said Paula Mitchell '02, LPI Legal Director. More>> | |  | LIJC Student Assists Client in Successful VAWA Self-Petition
With the help of law student Rebeca Gonzalez, Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic client Veronica recently received approval for her Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petition and can consequently remain and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation. “Her case helped me to be more empathetic and treat cases not like cases but like people. I’m so thankful for having the opportunity to work with her,” said Gonzalez. More>> | |
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JIFS Clinic Welcomes Two More Clients Home
The Juvenile Innocence and Fair Sentencing Clinic recently welcomed home clients Michael and Fernando, pictured here with students Owen Huelsbeck '22 and Carlos Serna '22, who fought alongside them to make their release a reality.
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LSJLC Launches the Rights in Systems Enforced (RISE) Clinic
In fall 2021, the LSJLC will launch a new clinic focusing on the rights of victims of crime. Funded by a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the Loyola Rights in Systems Enforced (RISE) Clinic will engage LLS students in the direct representation of survivors of violent crime who seek to assert their rights in state or federal criminal and immigration enforcement systems, and require legal assistance with collateral civil matters. The clinic will be directed by Visiting Clinical Professor Stephanie Richard, and co-taught during its first year by Professor Richard and Professor Kathleen Kim. Professor Richard has extensive experience representing victims of crime and trafficking, as well as conducting policy advocacy on behalf of victims of trafficking. The new initiative is a collaboration of LSJLC and the LLS Anti-Racism Center.
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 | CJLP Hosts Everychild Symposium
On March 11-12, the Center for Juvenile Law & Policy gathered education, juvenile justice and dependency advocates to discuss lessons learned about holistic advocacy for crossover youth during its Integrated Legal and Education Advocacy Project, which was supported by a $1 million grant from the Everychild Foundation. Learn more & watch>> | |  | LIJC to Host Status Pending Film Screening
On April 21, the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic will host a screening of Status Pending, a short documentary demonstrating the struggles of immigrant advocates fighting on the front line, followed by a panel discussion with LIJC staff, students and attorneys featured in the film. RSVP>> | |
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LSJLC In The News: Recent Highlights
- Biden's Immigration Reform Bill Could Change Everything...Or Not Pass At All. Here's What You Need To Know, LAist, Feb. 20, 2021
- Op-Ed: Gascón’s Evidence-Based Policies Will Help Reduce Wrongful Convictions & Move LA Forward, WitnessLA, Feb. 22, 2021
- Gascón Team Eager to Take Second Look at Questionable Convictions, Daily Breeze, March 14, 2021
- More LA Sheriff’s Officials Accused of Misconduct in ‘Banditos’ Deputy Gang Lawsuit, LAist, March 22, 2021
- Sheriff Villanueva Fights Subpoena for His Testimony on Deputy Cliques, The Los Angeles Times, March 23, 2021
- California Man Expected to Have Conviction Overturned, Associated Press, April 2, 2021
- Police Crackdowns on Illicit Massage Businesses Pose Harms to the Women They Aim to Help, The Washington Post, April 3, 2021
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