Social Justice and Public Interest

Renowned experts from government and academia illuminate emerging issues in the legal world.

Colantuono plans to help increase transparency and improve relations with the state legislature.

Record number reflects concerted effort by faculty, staff, and alumni to help offset the lack of racial diversity in America’s judicial chambers.

Angela Onwuachi-Willig and three colleagues fuel effort to eliminate such policies in a growing number of American schools.

Nu has quickly emerged as a leading voice for human rights in Burma.

New “Access to Entrepreneurship” program partners with Code2040 and Wilson Sonsini to help underrepresented founders find success in Silicon Valley.

A new report analyzes juvenile electronic monitoring programs across California.

Through various deans and challenges, Tom has continually delivered exceptional and engaging students to Berkeley Law.

Abbye Atkinson, Adam Badawi ’03, and Joy Milligan begin their new positions this week, with Frank Partnoy to join the school in 2018.

Education advocates at Berkeley Law collaborate with local public defenders to help vulnerable minors.

Ted Lee ’59, Professor Stephen Sugarman, and Ann O’Leary ’05 receive awards for their exemplary work.

Six recent graduates who received the prestigious two-year fellowship will serve low-income populations in California, Texas, and New York.

The Los Angeles prosecutor steered a multi-agency effort that led to a major award from the Anti-Defamation League.

Linos will study an urgent global challenge: the European refugee crisis.

Law student leads city of Berkeley’s effort to close the wage gender gap.

A two-year standout at Berkeley Law’s Death Penalty Clinic, Tiet was honored for her work ethic and legal acumen.

Athletes, agents, team counsel, and other insiders address current issues in the ever-expanding sports world.

The clinic has earned a national reputation for diligent, effective work on behalf of indigent capital defendants.

A new major grant fuels momentum for Policy Advocacy Clinic to extend its work on the issue.

The International Human Rights Law Clinic says the World Bank’s internal watchdog does not have the authority to enforce its own social and environmental policies.

Six Berkeley Law alums and one student selected for the prestigious program learn their offers will be honored despite announcements of a governmental hiring freeze.

The U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice inspires students to harness their passion, drive and commitment to create a better world.

Professors Melissa Murray, Kenneth Bamberger, Christopher Tomlins, Sonia Katyal and Angela Onwuachi-Willig were feted at a recent ceremony.

Saul Rodriguez ’19 and Xiuyuan Hu ’19 are the first Berkeley Law students chosen by their respective programs. 

Professor Zimring’s latest book reveals unsettling truths about police shootings in the U.S.

The event tackled issues ranging from immigration and domestic surveillance to women’s rights and race relations.

Human Rights Center works to coordinate and improve the response to gender-based violence in Greece’s refugee camps.

Mark Feeser ’07 and Van Swearingen ’08 each score major court triumphs that have significant implications for prisoners.

Student leaders of the East Bay Dreamer’s Clinic provide legal and moral support while awaiting likely immigration policy changes.

Berkeley Law students help patients secure basic needs to stabilize their families’ lives.

A ruling by the Supreme Court of California in People v. Macabeo strengthens privacy rights and curtails unlawful police searches. 

Police departments are not the only institutions capable of assuring the effective use of body-worn cameras. Courts can do it, too.

Professor Lauren Edelman ’86 shows how symbolic anti-discrimination policies are increasingly seen as proof of compliance with civil rights laws.

“The Berkeley Effect” suggests that small actions can cause large, resonating effects. Here are just some of the ways that the Berkeley Law community helps make the world a better place.

A new report highlights the flaws in the “welfare family cap,” a policy that denies additional cash aid for babies born into families already receiving financial assistance.

A slew of ballot propositions are on the state ballot, from repeal of the death penalty to legalization of recreational marijuana.

The students offer advice and share empowering legal knowledge in classroom sessions on 4th Amendment and immigration issues.

Laura Lane ’96 and Lindsey Quock ’17 stop an apparent push to drive low-income Chinese immigrants out of their rent-controlled building.

Alumni and faculty experts will tackle the future of juvenile courts, the state of the U.S. Supreme Court and law’s role in encouraging entrepreneurship in the startup world.

Llanes and 11 other members of her class were selected for coveted opportunities to launch their social justice careers.

Internships and classes at Berkeley Law offer meaningful experience and integrate a legal curriculum with life skills and leadership development activities.

Four Berkeley Law scholars analyze how the court decided key cases dealing with abortion, immigration, affirmative action and gun rights.

“In most cases, we just turn our backs and leave them to suffer the consequences of wrongful conviction for the rest of their lives.”

Karen Tani’s book traces New Deal welfare programs across four decades.

In a new law review article, Professor Albiston argues that paid family leave will only work if it offers job security, as well as wage replacement.

A bill drafted by Phil Hernandez ’16 would ensure that all tenant records remain private unless landlords prevail within 60 days of filing suit.

After its triumph in Alameda County, Berkeley Law’s Policy Advocacy Clinic aims to repeal county authority to assess and collect such fees statewide.

A nearly six-year legal battle for justice took a new turn as the International Human Rights Law Clinic filed a petition against the U.S. for the death of a Mexican national by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Court ruling grants the widow and daughter of one of the accused’s murder victims the right to participate in his criminal proceedings.

With generous funding and programmatic support, Berkeley Law sets the public interest standard.