New Society of Law and Justice provides students more opportunities

The Justice Club won a Club Council  award for campus involvement and cooperation among clubs this year. To provide students even greater opportunities in coming years, the Justice Club merged with the Pre-Law Society to form the new Society of Law and Justice.

Students in Justice and Legal Studies often look at law enforcement or law school opportunities, but Justice is much more broad, said Alex Cole, President of the new club.

Alex Cole, President of new Society of Law and Justice, and
Joseph Mizl, Vice President of Legal Studies. Not pictured,
Sevy Sheppard, Vice President of Justice.

Joseph Mizl is the new club's Vice President of Legal Studies and Sevy Sheppard is Vice President of Justice, two positions established by the Society of Law and Justice's constitution.

This summer there will be a few business meetings to talk about campus kick-off and to establish a web presence.

Check out Facebook over the summer for more info.

Pre-Law Society co-sponsors Oct 5 UAA Campus bookstore event - book launch of Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters

L to r: Author Liz Meredith; Elsie Boudreau, social worker;
and Nicole Stanish, AWAIC program manager, at the program.

The Pre-Law Society co-sponsored the October 5 UAA Campus Bookstore event - the book launch of Alaskan author Lizbeth Meredith's memoir, Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters.  In her book, Ms. Meredith recounts her story of surviving intimate partner violence and her struggles to rescue her abducted daughters.

Elsie Boudreau, a social worker, and Nicole Stanish, Abused Women's Aid in Crisis (AWAIC) Program Manager,  joined Ms. Meredith to lead a discussion about domestic violence, the unintended consequences of leaving an abuse relationship, and the important role of a caring community. Other event sponsors include AWAIC, Green Dot Alaska, Victims for Justice, YWCA Alaska, and the Alaska Humanities Forum.  This event was free and open to students, faculty, staff, and community members.

A look back at September's law school fair at UAA Student Union

UAA students took advantage of the September 15 Law School Fair at the Student Union to meet with representatives from over 30 law schools from across the U.S. Here are a few photos from the event. The UAA Pre-Law Society also took the opportunity to recruit members at the fair.

 

UW Law Prof. Mathiew Le and Prof. Kristin Knudsen,
Justice Center Undergraduate Legal Studies Program
Coordinator, take a moment for a photo. UAA and
UW School of Law have a partnership which provides
accelerated law school admissions for qualified UAA students.

Natasha Richmond, Lewis & Clark Law School
Assistant Director of Admissions, coordinated the
Law School Fair at both UAA and UAF.

Student representatives from the Pre-Law Society (PLS) were on hand
to recruit members. They took a moment for a photo with
Annie Route, UAA Director of Student Life & Leadership (far left),
whose staff oversees events in the Student Union. PLS members are (l to r)
Carlie Christenson, Jory Knott, Kionne Lewis, and Jennifer Ham.

Pre-Law Society co-sponsors Oct 5 UAA Campus bookstore event - book launch of Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters

The Pre-Law Society is a co-sponsor of the October 5 UAA Campus Bookstore event - the book launch of Alaskan author Lizbeth Meredith's memoir, Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters.  Ms. Meredith recounts her story of surviving intimate partner violence and her struggles to rescue her abducted daughters.

What: Book launch of Lisbeth Meredith's Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters
Where: UAA Campus Bookstore
When: Wednesday, October 5 - 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Parking: Free parking in the West Campus Central Lot, Sports Northwest Lot, South Lot, and the Sports Lot. Click here for a campus map.

Elsie Boudreau, a social worker, will join Ms. Meredith to lead a discussion about domestic violence, the unintended consequences of leaving an abuse relationship, and the important role of a caring community.

Other event sponsors include Abused Women's Aid in Crisis (AWAIC), Green Dot Alaska, Victims for Justice, YWCA Alaska, and the Alaska Humanities Forum.  This event is free and open to students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Pre-Law Society hears from attorney Matt Findley about arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court

Matt Findley discusses the background of the case.

Attorney Matt Findley, who argued the recently decided case of Sturgeon v. Frost in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, spoke to the Pre-Law Society on April 15 about his preparation for and experience of arguing in front of the highest court in our nation.

The case addressed jurisdiction over rivers in national parks and more specifically, whether Mr. Sturgeon could use his hovercraft to hunt moose in the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve.

Prof. Fortson (standing) introduces Matt Findley (r seated).

Mr. Findley is with the Anchorage law firm of Ashburn & Mason.  Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., is the Pre-Law Society faculty advisor.

Pre-Law Society hosts discussion on U.S. Supreme Court case on Friday, April 15

The Pre-Law Society is hosting a discussion by Anchorage attorney Matt Findley, who argued the recently decided case of Sturgeon v. Frost in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. The case addressed jurisdiction over rivers in national parks and more specifically, whether Mr. Sturgeon could use his hovercraft to hunt moose in the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. 

Attorney Matt Findley

Mr. Findley, who is with the law firm of Ashburn & Mason, will discuss both the case itself and his preparation for and his experience of arguing in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. The talk will be Friday, April 15, in Rasmuson Hall 220 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., and is a brown-bag lunch event.

Don't miss the opportunity to hear firsthand what it's like to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court.

A look back at our 2016 National Criminal Justice Month events - and a chance to view the videos if you missed the programs!

Wednesday, March 9
"The Fairbanks 4: Lessons Learned from Alaska's First Exoneration" 

Events for the 2016 National Criminal Justice Month kicked off with "The Fairbanks 4: Lessons Learned from Alaska's First Exoneration." This program was co-sponsored by the Alaska Innocence Project.

Panelists were Rick Allen, Director, Office of Public Advocacy; Lesley Hammer, Forensic Scientist, Hammer Forensics; and Bill Oberly, Executive Director, Alaska Innocence Project.

Missed the program? Click here to view the video.

Panelists (far right at table) for the "The Fairbanks 4" program spoke to a packed room of students and members of the public.

Posing for a photo after the program (l to r): Jory Knott, student  and Pre-Law Society officer and Alaska Innocence Project intern, panelists: Rick Allen, Office of Public Advocacy; Lesley Hammer, Hammer Forensics; and Bill Oberly, Alaska Innocence Project; program moderator Dr. Troy Payne, Justice Center; students and Pre-Law Society officers Nathel Sims and Camilla Hussein.

Wednesday, March 23
"How the U.S. Supports Peacekeeping in Africa: Policing and Police Training"

Later in the month Mark Mew, former Anchorage Police Department (APD) Chief, discussed his recent experiences in Africa during the program, "How the U.S. Supports Peacekeeping in Africa: Policing and  PoliceTraining." Mr. Mew's work in Africa was coordinated by Bering Straits Native Corporation.

The 2016 National Criminal Justice Month programs were sponsored by the Justice Center, Justice Club, and the Pre-Law Society. 

Missed the program? Click here to view the video.

Mark Mew (standing center) describes the challenges facing peacekeepers in Africa today.

L to r: Bill Mendenhall, Bering Straits Native Corporation; Mark Mew, former APD chief;
program moderator Dr. Troy Payne, Justice Center; Jory Knott, student and Pre-Law Society officer.

Pre-Law Society announces new officers

The UAA Pre-Law Society recently announced their new officers:

President:  Camilla Hussein
Vice-President/ Secretary: Nathel Sims
Treasurer: Jory Knott
Officer-at-Large: Joanna Delasse
Club Council Representative: Camilla Hussein

Open to all UAA students who are considering going to law school or any other career as a legal professional.

 Click here to join the Pre-Law Society. 

The Pre-Law Society provides students interested in law school with forums for networking with attorneys,  important information pertaining to the application process, workshops, guest speakers, and resume building opportunities. 

Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D., is the faculty advisor for the Pre-Law Society.

Visit the Justice Center and Pre-Law Society table at the UAA Law School Fair in the Student Union on September 17

Thinking about law school? Don’t miss the 2015 Law School Fair at UAA! 

Date: Thursday, September 17,2015
Time: 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Place: UAA Student Union, Upper Level

 Representatives from the following law schools and organizations will be in attendance to answer any questions you have about  programs, admissions, and a career in law:

• UAA—Justice Center
• UAA—Pre-Law Society

Law schools:

• Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
• California Western School of Law
• Golden Gate University School of Law
• Gonzaga School of Law
• Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law
• Lewis & Clark Law School
• New England Law School of Law
• Seattle University School of Law
• University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
• University of Denver Sturm College of Law
• University of Idaho College of Law
• University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law
• University of Oregon School of Law
• University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
• University of Washington School of Law
• University of Wyoming College of Law
• Vermont Law School
• Willamette University College of Law
• William Mitchell College of Law

This event is free and open to the public.

Prof. Deb Periman,  J.D., is the Legal Studies Program Coordinator in the Justice Center. Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D., is the faculty advisor for the Pre-Law Society.

Justice Center student clubs: A look back at events in AY 2014-2015

Below is a brief look back at AY 2014-2015 events sponsored by Justice Center student clubs.  The clubs will be gearing up for fall semester 2015. Join in the planning process and take advantage of networking opportunities with justice, law enforcement, and corrections experts!

Pre-Law Society 

• Informal LSAT study sessions - fall semester
• Visit with Alaska 3rd Judicial District Superior Court Presiding Judge William Morse  - discussion of Wellness Courts - spring semester
• Tour of Alaska Law Library in Anchorage - spring semester
• National Criminal Justice Month co-sponsor - spring semester

Justice Club

• Anchorage Police Dept. (APD) ride-alongs - fall and spring semesters
• APD and Alaska State Troopers career talk - fall and spring semesters
• Finals study sessions - fall and spring semesters
• National Criminal Justice month co-sponsor - spring semester
• Women in Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair - fall and spring semesters

Alpha Phi Sigma - National Criminal Justice Honor Society

• New member welcome event - spring semester

The faculty advisors for Justice Center student clubs are:
Pre-Law Society: Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D. and Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D.
Justice Club: Dr. Troy Payne and Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D.
Alpha Phi Sigma: Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D.

Pre-Law Society members meet with 3rd Judicial District Presiding Judge Morse and tour Alaska State Court Law Library

In Presiding Judge Morse's chambers - front row l to r: student Shelley Miller, Presiding Judge Morse, and students
Selahndra Mathew and Meagan MacDonald.
Back row l to r: students Camilla Hussein-Scott, Weili Wang, Nathel Sims and Chase McCavit.

The Pre-Law Society met with Third Judicial District Presiding Judge William Morse recently to discuss his experience with the Anchorage Wellness Court, one of the therapeutic courts administered by the Alaska Court System.

Following their meeting with Presiding Judge Morse, students visited the Anchorage branch of the Alaska State Court Law Library housed in the Boney Courthouse.  Buck Sterling, Public Services Librarian, conducted a tour of the facility and discussed the legal resources available.

Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., and Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., are the faculty advisors for the Pre-Law Society.

In the Law Library, l to r: students Meagan MacDonald, Selahndra Mathew, Chase McCavit, and
Law Librarian Buck Sterling.

 

Dr. Allen Ault speaks about his "40 Years in Corrections" for National Criminal Justice Month

Dr. Ault stresses a point during his presentation.

About 75 UAA students, faculty, and members of the public gathered on March 2 to hear  Dr. Allen Ault, Dean of the College of Justice & Safety at Eastern Kentucky University, share his 40 years of experience in corrections. Dr. Ault discussed the "War on Drugs" and the rapid rise in incarceration rates in the U.S., the disproportionate number of minority individuals who are incarcerated, the shift in corrections as rehabilitative to punitive, the rising number of inmates with mental health concerns, and the issue of capital punishment.

This event was sponsored by the Justice Center, the Pre-Law Society, and the Justice Club as part of National Criminal Justice Month. Dr. Troy Payne and Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., are the Justice Center faculty advisors for this event. Our thanks to Rich Curtner, an adjunct faculty member at the Justice Center, and Alaskans Against the Death Penalty for bringing Dr. Ault to Alaska and making possible Dr. Ault’s presentation at this event.

A podcast and Dr. Ault's Powerpoint presentation are on the Justice Center website.

Media mention

• "Ex-Dept. Of Justice Official to Alaska Students: We Can Do Better" by John Aronno. Alaska Commons, 3 Mar 2015.

L to r: Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D.; Dr. Troy Payne; Dr. Allen Ault;
Camilla Hussein, Pre-Law Society President; Rich Curtner, Adjunct Faculty,
and Chair, Alaskans Against the Death Penalty

Pre-Law Society students meet with Alaska Supreme Court Justice Peter Maassen

Students with Justice Peter Maassen in his chambers. L to r: Camilla Hussein-Scott, Aleta Bartimmo, Justice Peter Maassen,
Prof. Ryan Fortson, Anna Marquez, and Splendora Ulukivaiola.

 UAA Pre-Law Society students met with Alaska Supreme Court Justice Peter Maassen in his chambers on March 21. Justice Maassen described the workload of the court, gave an overview of case processing, and discussed the role of law clerks.  Students were able to see the Justice's chambers and tour the Alaska Supreme Court Room. Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., faculty advisor for the Pre-Law Society, accompanied the students.

Marilyn May, Clerk of the Appellate Courts, also met with the students and explained the administrative process in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals.

Earlier in the day, the students had taken a tour of the Anchorage branch of the Alaska State Court Law Library,  one of 16 state branches. Buck Sterling, Public Services Librarian, outlined the services the library provides and the changes that are underway at the Anchorage facility.

Pre-Law, Justice, & Legal Studies students - special event Friday, December 13!

Nesbett Courthouses, Anchorage

 What: Observe a custody hearing with attorneys from the law firm of Aglietti, Offret & Woofter – then join Anchorage attorney Robert Woofter for donuts and beverages and a discussion of the case
Open to: Pre-Law Society members, Justice, and Legal Studies students
Date: Friday, December 13
Meeting Time: 9:30 a.m. – meet in lobby of courthouse – need to go through security
Event Start Time: 10:00 a.m. (hearing may go til 1:00 or 1:30 p.m.)
Where: Nesbett Courthouse, 825 W. 4th Avenue
Transportation: On your own - but ride sharing may be available - ask about this in your RSVP email
RSVP Deadline: Wednesday, December 11, 8:00 p.m. email almarquez@alaska.edu

Limited to 10 participants.

Sponsored by the Pre-Law Society

Halloween Fun Night with Justice Club and Pre-Law Society

Haunted Halloween Fun Night was held Saturday, October 26  for kids ages 2-12 at the UAA Student Union. Justice Club and the Pre-Law Society were among the student clubs that had booths at this free event open to the public.The evening included carnival games, trick-or-treating, and a haunted house.

L to r: Justice Club president Isabella Forshee and treasurer
Ashleigh Radvansky

L to r: Pre-Law Society members -
Camilla Hussein-Scott, vice-president; Aleta Duncan;
Anna Marquez, president.

The event is sponsored by Student Clubs & Greek Life, Student Union and Commuter Student Services, and Kaladi Brothers Coffee.  See more photos below.

Pre-Law Society - no meeting this Friday

The Pre-Law Society will not be meeting this Friday.  Instead, members are invited to attend the  Club Council Meeting at 1:00 p.m. in the South Cafeteria, UAA Student Union.

Please sign up to volunteer for the Haunted Halloween Fun Night on Saturday, October 26.
Click here for the sign-up sheet.

Questions? Contact Anna Marquez, Pre-Law Society President.

Pizza and mass advising at the fall pizza party for students

Justice and Legal Studies students and faculty enjoyed Moose's Tooth pizza and other goodies at the Fall 2013 Pizza Party on October 17 at the Justice Center.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator, used the event as an opportunity for "mass advising" about some changes in the curriculum.  Students also heard about the activities planned by Justice Club, the Pre-Law Society, and Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, and had a chance to sign up for membership.

Don't miss the slideshow below!

Taking the LSAT? Join the Pre-Law Society LSAT Study Group every Monday at 7 pm at the UAA Library

Taking the LSAT?

Members of the Pre-Law Society LSAT Study Group will be meeting at 7:00 p.m. every Monday, starting September 9, in the UAA Library in LIB 207B.

Email Anna Marquez, Pre-Law Society president, for more information or call the Justice Center at 786-1810.

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D. and Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., are the faculty advisors for the Pre-Law Society.

Pre-Law Society study group today for the James Madison Cup

Want to participate in a fun competition that tests your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution?

Study Group: The Pre-Law Society is meeting on Friday, Sep. 13 at 1:00 p.m. in Library Conference Room 207B to study for this! Come join us!

The James Madison Cup is sponsored by the UAA Department of Political Science.

Taking the LSAT? Join the Pre-Law Society LSAT Study Group on September 9 at the UAA Library

Taking the LSAT?  Members of the Pre-Law Society LSAT Study Group will be meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9 in the UAA Library.

The group will be using one of the study rooms. Email Anna Marquez, Pre-Law Society president, or call the Justice Center at 786-1810, for location.