UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

JAMES E. ROGERS COLLEGE OF LAW

January 19, 2022

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jan 26

Program in Criminal Law & Policy Weekly Speaker Series

Jan 27

Pitt Speaker Series:

Lilliana Mason

Jan 28

Bacon Speaker Series:

Jude Joffe-Block and

Terese Greene

Greetings,

Real-client contact offers invaluable experience for students at all stages of their legal education. Today we share news about work being done by students in the Civil Rights Restoration Clinic.

And even though the semester is just under way, there are outstanding learning opportunities in both Tucson and Phoenix. I hope you will join us.

Until the footnotes,

Marc

FEATURE

Civil Rights Restoration Clinic Secures Grant to Support Marijuana Expungement Cases

In November 2020, Arizona voters approved Proposition 207, legalizing recreational marijuana and establishing the first expungement law in Arizona history. Under this new statute, University of Arizona Law’s Civil Rights Restoration Clinic has found a new avenue to help past offenders obtain a second chance.

The passage of Prop 207 prompted the creation of the Arizona Marijuana Expungement Coalition, which is led by the Arizona Justice Project and composed of community legal services and advocacy organizations from across the state, including Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law’s Post Conviction Clinic, D.N.A Legal Services, Community Legal Services of Arizona, AFSC Arizona, our Civil Rights Restoration Clinic.

This year, as part of the coalition, the clinic received a three-year, $350,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services to provide pro bono legal aid to those eligible for expungement.

Possession or transportation of small amounts of marijuana or paraphernalia or growing a few plants used to lead to prison and extended probation periods for those convicted in Arizona. But under this new law, certain individuals are now eligible to petition the court for an order that will seal their marijuana-related criminal records.

For Arizonans whose access to basic civil rights have been hobbled by the collateral consequences of conviction, Prop 207 is seen as a new opportunity to secure employment, housing, public benefits, and in some cases, shortened prison sentences and probation time.

Since the petition process opened in July, students and staff working with the Civil Rights Restoration Clinic have participated in free legal clinics offering their services with evaluating eligibility, preparing forms, and providing legal resources for more complex cases.

In addition to expungement cases, the clinic represents people with criminal convictions in applying to get their convictions set aside and civil rights restored. In the 15 years since the clinic opened, it has represented on a free basis over 1000 people in Pima County. Now, the clinic can add a new service to their expanding repertoire.

“We are honored to be a part of this coalition that is helping thousands of Arizonans to find a fresh start,” noted Andy Silverman, Joseph M. Livermore professor emeritus of Law and director of the Civil Rights Restoration Clinic. “This type of work exposes students to the real-world implications of re-entry and the loss of civil rights, and ultimately makes them better lawyers for it.”

AROUND THE COLLEGE

Thanks to our Fall 2021 BA and MLS Professors of Practice

The nation's first BA in Law program is also the country's largest, and one of the fastest growing majors among the University of Arizona's more than 38,000 undergraduate students. The groundbreaking degree is a partnership between the College of Law and School of Government and Public Policy (SGPP.)

The BA in Law program has proven to be an effective 'pipeline' for our traditional JD program and JD programs' students across the country, involving undergraduate students in law-related activities and laying the groundwork for their success in law school or working in government or regulated industries.

In our Master of Legal Studies, professionals from across the country and from the public and private sectors join the program to enhance their legal knowledge and skills. They concentrate their studies in corporate compliance, ADR, health law and policy, among many other areas.

Dozens of college faculty, administrators and practitioners support instruction for a curriculum of both BA in Law and MLS (Master of Legal Studies) courses.

We thank those who taught and mentored our undergraduate and MLS students in the fall semester.

Jen Albright, Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing

Mihalakas Athanasios, Business Organizations

Michael Areinoff, Criminal Law

Luis Bergolla ('15), American Common Law I; American Public Law

Mark Blair ('07), Human Rights Law; Native American Law and Policy

Rafael Camacho (MLS '19), Spanish Legal Translation Internship

Brian Clauss, Intro to ADR; Workplace ADR

Laura Clymer, Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing

Shaun Esposito, Honors Research Seminar

David Euchner, Criminal Law; Criminal Procedure

Scott Ewing (LLM '21), American Common Law

Chris Gast ('13), American Public Law; American Common Law I

Hillary Gaston Walsh, Immigration Law; Family Law

Sarah Gotschall, Legislative Analysis

Linus Kafka ('96), American Common Law II; Administrative Law

Clay Kamm ('08), Criminal Law; Criminal Procedure

Derek Kauanoe (LLM '00), Tribal Criminal Law; Amer. Common Law

Wayne Koelemeyer ('19), American Common Law; Native American Family and Domestic Relations Law

Sidner Larson (SJD '19), American Common Law;

Tribal Courts Practice

Rosa Meguerian-Faria (LLM '16, SJD '19), Business Organizations; Intellectual Property; Information Privacy; Law and Economics

Cathy Monro, Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing

Lisa Queen, American Common Law II

DeAndra Roaché, Mediation

Kristina Taylor, Mediation

Jayme Weber ('15), Legal Analysis, Writing and Research

Get Ready For Giving Day on February 14

Has the university made a difference in your life or your community? Our upcoming Giving Day on February 14 is a great opportunity to give back and share the love.

Giving Day is a university-wide effort to inspire Wildcats in the University of Arizona community to make a gift in support of the people, places, programs that make the university extraordinary. For 24 hours, students, parents, faculty, staff, friends and alumni unite to show their support for the university.

Gifts of any amount can help the university excel in all areas, from research to student support to community outreach. Above all, your generosity allows the university to offer the best programs and services to students, helping them pursue wonder with purpose.

Whether you’re a 'Wildcat for Life' or a loyal friend of the university we invite you to take part in this year’s Giving Day. Philanthropic support is necessary for the University of Arizona to be the best it can be, and every dollar counts. No matter what you give, you can make a difference in the lives of others.

Anyone can sign up to be an Ambassador today. Help us share the love for Arizona on Giving Day! Learn more at: https://givingday.arizona.edu/.

For details on college efforts, contact Senior Director of Development Megan O'Leary.

Lunchtime Learning Opportunities in Phoenix with

the Phoenix Externship Program (PEP)

The University of Arizona Law Phoenix Externship Program (PEP) is back.

Last week, students were welcomed to the Phoenix legal community by Judges (and former Wildcats) Daniel P. Collins ('83) and Maria Elena Cruz ('01). They began a course on Governmental Liability with Roopali Desai ('05) and Mike Catlett ('06).

In addition, Chief Justice Robert Brutinel ('82) and Professor Kirsten Engel convened a Lawmaking class, in which students learned about Arizona’s recent budget-legislation decision.

Professor Ellen Bublick, Director of the Phoenix Externship Program, extends an invitation to alumni for the popular lunchtime speaker series, held in conjunction with the externship program, at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. Certificates of attendance are offered for CLE purposes. See the schedule and register here.

If you have suggestions for future sessions for the lunchtime series, please contact Professor Bublick, bublick@arizona.edu.