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Greetings,

This week, we feature a new grant from the Marshall Foundation to the Education Advocacy Clinic. The grant will expand the capacity of the clinic to advocate for children with disabilities and give Arizona Law students more opportunities to gain real-life legal skills.

Read on,

Jason

The Education Advocacy Clinic, which works to protect the rights of public school students by providing information, support and legal services to children in Tucson’s K-12 schools, has received a grant from the Marshall Foundation to expand access to justice for children with disabilities. 

“We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this support from the Marshall Foundation,” said Associate Clinical Professor of Law and Clinic Director Diana Newmark. “The Marshall Foundation’s generous support enables the Clinic to expand our advocacy for families in the Tucson area and deepen our students’ knowledge and skills in disability law.”

The Education Advocacy Clinic focuses on serving children who are involved in juvenile delinquency, child welfare or immigration matters. Clinic legal services include representation in school discipline and special education matters. Students from the JD, Master of Legal Studies (MLS) and BA in Law programs in the clinic work together on education advocacy cases, under the supervision of Prof. Newmark, to provide legal services at no cost to children in Tucson schools.

“As a result of the Marshall Foundation’s support, the Clinic will be able to access specialized research tools designed specifically for special education legal issues, enhancing our students’ ability to research the unique issues that arise in their casework,” said Prof. Newmark.

The grant will expand the impact of the Education Advocacy Clinic by formalizing and deepening its partnership with Disability Rights Arizona (DRAZ). DRAZ is the protection and advocacy agency for Arizona and a non-profit law firm that provides no-cost legal representation in the area of special education. The grant will allow DRAZ special education attorneys to collaborate directly with Clinic students on a range of legal matters, providing valuable mentorship and enhancing the quality and reach of the Clinic’s services.

“A closer collaboration with Disability Rights Arizona will improve the Clinic’s ability to advocate for students in two key ways,” said Prof. Newmark. “First, our organizations will work together to develop trainings and materials specifically designed to address the needs of students in the Tucson area. Our hope is that this will empower families and caregivers to advocate for their children’s needs, even if we are unable to provide direct representation. Second, our students will be able to connect directly with the experts in education and disability law at Disability Rights Arizona, gaining key opportunities to learn from statewide leaders in this area of law and deepening our students’ knowledge.”

“This grant from the Marshall Foundation is a powerful investment in justice for children with disabilities,” said J.J. Rico (’01), CEO of Disability Rights Arizona. “By partnering with the Education Advocacy Clinic, our attorneys will collaborate directly with law students to defend the rights of K–12 students in Tucson’s public schools. This partnership strengthens both legal advocacy and the next generation of civil rights attorneys. We’re proud to join forces with the Clinic in this critical and much-needed work.”

The Marshall Foundation awarded $1,202,000 in grants to 35 Pima County nonprofits and University of Arizona programs and scholarships that advance education, expand opportunity and strengthen communities across Southern Arizona. Learn more about the Marshall Foundation here.

FROM THE COLLEGE

Arizona Law is in the Valley and we want to see you in Scottsdale tomorrow!

Come connect with Interim Dean Jason Kreag, fellow alumni, friends of the college, incoming students and recent graduates—many of whom will have spent the day interviewing with Phoenix employers. It’s a chance to catch up, build new connections and hear what’s ahead for Arizona Law.

What: Meet the Interim Dean

When: Thurs., Aug. 7, 5–7 p.m. MST (remarks by Interim Dean Kreag at 6 p.m.)

Where: U of A Scottsdale Center, 7135 E. Camelback Road, Suite 204, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

We look forward to seeing you!

Reconnect and rekindle your Wildcat spirit.

Join fellow alumni and current students for a relaxed evening of conversation, shared stories and the connections that make Arizona Law special. This professional networking event gives students the opportunity to practice engaging with alumni and community members, learn from their career journeys and begin building relationships that can shape their futures.

In addition, please join us for other events throughout Homecoming weekend:

Red & Blue BBQ and All-Alumni Reunion: Saturday, November 8

Join us at the Red & Blue BBQ for our All-Alumni Reunion on Saturday, November 8, where you can catch up with classmates, meet fellow Arizona Law alumni and enjoy the Wildcat spirit together. This year, we’re celebrating reunion classes ending in ’0 and ’5—if that’s you, we hope you’ll join us in marking your milestone!

50-Year Reunion Breakfast: Friday, November 7

In addition to the BBQ, we will host a special Reunion Breakfast for the Class of 1975, which is celebrating its 50th reunion this year. Members of the Class of 1975 will also be receiving a special invitation in the mail with additional details about this milestone gathering.

Registration Coming Soon

Full event details, including registration and how to purchase reunion event tickets, will be available by the end of August and will remain open through October.

Whether you’re reconnecting with classmates, reliving favorite memories or just soaking in the Wildcat spirit—we hope you’ll join us!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Associate Director of Alumni Engagement & Donor Relations Dominique Martinez-Ahumada at alexisdominique@arizona.edu.

The De Jure Journal featured Professor Shefali Milczarek-Desai (’01) in its special Law and Employment issue in July.

The interview, on “Lessons from the Frontlines: Exploring Child and Im/migrant Workers’ Rights,” discussed her advocacy and scholarship, as well as advice for law students consider careers in im/migration.

The journal is an international student-edited and peer-reviewed law journal published in the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens under the auspices of the European Law Students’ Association Athens (ELSA Athens). Issue archives are available at the journal’s website.

IN THE NEWS

New Medicaid federal work requirements mean less leeway for states

CBS News, featuring Tara Sklar

This book traces the history of the U.S. government’s control of Indigenous peoples

KJZZ, featuring Keith Richotte Jr.

Coffee importers await effects of tariffs

China Daily, featuring David Gantz

Instagram, @uarizonalaw

For many students, clinical education is a crucial part of the law school experience and an important foundation for practice. We appreciate the support of organizations like the Marshall Foundation to help make more foundational experiences available to Arizona Law students.

Onward!

Jason