tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420 2009-11-14T02:23:09Z Movable Type 3.34 tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.11377 2009-11-14T01:55:15Z 2009-11-14T02:23:09Z

It is Friday, November 13, 2009 and this is my last week of school. Eleven weeks flew by and I am still in denial that final exams are next week. On Monday, I submitted my final assignment for my §1983...

Diana targetx It is Friday, November 13, 2009 and this is my last week of school. Eleven weeks flew by and I am still in denial that final exams are next week. On Monday, I submitted my final assignment for my §1983 Litigation course which was to submit a complaint and a memo. The §1983 Litigation course taught me how to sue police officers for police misconduct. This week I also completed my time at the Domestic Violence Clinic. I really enjoyed my experience at the DV Clinic because it consisted of representing battered women and men in obtaining a restraining order at the Dorchester Municipal Court. I represented eleven clients in obtaining a restraining order and in assisting them with obtaining access to other social services. In addition, the DV Clinic also allowed me to feel more comfortable in a courtroom setting. I observed criminal and civil cases and also spoke to the judge when advocating for my clients. My experience from the DV Clinic taught me that I really enjoy being in the courtroom setting and working with clients on a daily basis. Speaking of future plans, I decided to create my own Co-Op this summer to either work with victims of domestic violence with family law matters or to do immigration work with unaccompanied minors. This is all for now, I am hitting to books to prepare for final exams. Till next time! tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.11156 2009-10-23T22:40:13Z 2009-10-26T01:03:01Z

As my winter Co-Op, I was hoping to work for a judge to work on my research, writing skills and to get a perspective on what judges look for in the cases they rule on. I won't be hoping anymore...

Diana targetx As my winter Co-Op, I was hoping to work for a judge to work on my research, writing skills and to get a perspective on what judges look for in the cases they rule on. I won't be hoping anymore because I will be heading to Philadelphia for my winter quarter co-op to work for the Judge Dolores Sloviter at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Judge Dolores Sloviter was appointed to the Third Circuit by President Carter and she was the first and only woman to serve as Chief Justice in the Third Circuit. Needless to say I am very excited about this opportunity. This past weekend I secured a sublet in Philly so I am all set to go. I have less than one month until finals and will start my winter co-op the week of November 30th. I only have two final exams one on Immigration law and the other on Family law. Wish me luck!! tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10986 2009-10-06T04:55:39Z 2009-10-06T12:23:03Z

I want to provide my blog readers with some tips and advice about gifts a law student would love. Trust me, the law student in your life will thank you for these gifts. Every first-year law student should have the...

Diana targetx I want to provide my blog readers with some tips and advice about gifts a law student would love. Trust me, the law student in your life will thank you for these gifts. Every first-year law student should have the follow items to help them get through the first year of law school: (1) Lots and lots of highlighters- highlighting is essential when reading the multitude of pages required during the first year curriculum. Find out if there is a color highlighter the student prefers. For example, I went through one highlighter every two weeks and I preferred yellow highlighters. (2) Black's Law Dictionary - this dictionary is essential for a first year law student because of the numerous new legal words that are not found in a regular dictionary. The Black's Law Dictionary can be found for free on Westlaw but it is always handy to have the actual paperback dictionary on hand. (3) Durable Write-On Page Tabs - the first year law student taking the required Civil Procedure course will thank you for the durable write-on page tabs. These tabs will help the law student organize and find certain pages and sections of the book, especially in Civil Procedure, where the Rules Book is the bible. These tabs will assist the law student in finding the appropriate rule in a nick of time during final exams. (4) Coffee Travel Mug - there is nothing like a warm cup of coffee or tea to start off a day as a first year law student. I could not live without my coffee mug!!! There is nothing like sipping my coffee during my 8 a.m. class. (5) Gift Card to a nearby Coffee Shop - Find out what coffee shop is near the law student's campus and buy gift cards from that coffee shop. The law student in your life will thank you for this gift on those late nights when caffeine is a necessity. (6) Water Bottle- this helped me save money on purchasing water. I just filled my water bottle from the water fountain and went about my day. (7) Backpack-last but definitely not least no law student should ever go without a durable backpack. I personally invested in a backpack that came with shock absorbent shoulder straps that distribute much of the weight from the heavy law books away from my shoulders and back. This is not an exhaustive list but these are a few items that were essential in making my law school experience more pleasurable. Till next time.. tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10853 2009-09-23T12:41:09Z 2009-09-23T13:45:33Z

As a law student at the Domestic Violence Clinic, I am trained to be a advocate, and this service is so vital for the petitioners who come to court to file a restraining order, many for the first time.  The...

Diana targetx As a law student at the Domestic Violence Clinic, I am trained to be a advocate, and this service is so vital for the petitioners who come to court to file a restraining order, many for the first time.  The majority of the petitioners are women, specifically women of color who may not be fluent in English. As part of the Domestic Violence Clinic, I visit the Dorchester Municipal Court twice a week.  Last week at the Dorchester Municipal Court, I worked with two clients who both filed restraining orders against their partners.  Working with victims of domestic violence is not a new experience for me but assisting them with filling out a complaint for a restraining order and standing with them as they speak to the judge is definitely a new experience.   Both clients were afraid about the consequences of their actions and as their advocate, it was my job to inform them of the pros and cons of filing for a restraining order.  The most important question to ask a petitioner is how will the batterer/defendant react when he is notified of the restraining order.  The most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is when she decides to leave her partner/batterer. So, an important part of my job is to inform my clients about these dangers and create a safety plan with the client in case the batterer decides to retaliate. My two clients did obtain a restraining order, but it is only valid for 10 days.  My next responsibility will be to prepare my clients for their next court date where the defendant will most likely appear to defend himself.  My clients both are seeking to obtain a one-year restraining order.  In order to accomplish this goal, I will work with my clients in obtaining any evidence that will support the incidents on their complaint and preparing them to speak with the judge. Wish me luck!!   Till next time..  tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10750 2009-09-09T01:04:36Z 2009-09-09T03:47:38Z

I apologize for my MIA status but I spent the few weeks of my remaining summer relaxing and catching up with family and friends.  But now I am back!! The summer has ended and it is official: I am a...

Diana targetx I apologize for my MIA status but I spent the few weeks of my remaining summer relaxing and catching up with family and friends.  But now I am back!! The summer has ended and it is official: I am a 2L (second year law student).  I started school last Tuesday and what a hectic week it was.  I moved in to Boston last weekend and I love my new place located in Jamaica Plain.  I am subletting a friend's room who is currently in Quito, Ecuador working on her first Co-Op. My commute to school is only 15 minutes max and I am guaranteed a seat on the train every morning because I get on the first stop of the train.  I can't ask for anything better than that! Unlike the courses of my first year in law school, which were chosen for me by the school, this year I had the full liberty to decide which courses to enroll into.  On Tuesday, I finalized my schedule and enrolled into the Domestic Violence Clinic, Family Law, Immigration Law and §1983 Litigation (learning how to sue police officers).   In addition, I will also be a teaching assistant for Professor Hackney's Torts Section.   All my courses seem to be very exciting and it is apparent from the first week of class that the required reading for 2L courses is much less demanding compared to the 1L courses.  In addition to preparing for school, all 2L's across the country including myself are preparing for interviews with law firms for summer associate positions for next summer.   I am very excited about all my courses but I am especially excited about the Domestic Violence Clinic.   As part of the Clinic, I attend class once a week and work at the Dorchester Municipal Court twice a week.  While at court, I will work as an advocate to assist victims of domestic violence with the process of applying for a restraining order. One of my responsibilities is to stand alongside a client as she/he petitions for a restraining order in court. One of my main reasons for wanting to be an attorney was to work with victims of domestic violence and now thanks to the Domestic Violence Clinic I will get a little taste of that experience. Till next time. tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10621 2009-08-12T23:39:09Z 2009-08-13T20:28:42Z

I can't believe I completed my first Co-Op. I finished my first Co-Op by filing two lawsuits. As my last assignment, I worked on the pleadings and discovery requests for two lawsuits involving violations of the American with Disabilities Act....

Diana targetx http://www.kvia.com/global/story.asp?s=10816118 Link to the Video This officially marks the end of a great Co-Op experience. This Co-Op has taught me that the best part of being a lawyer is advocating for individuals who want to enforce their rights. At this Co-Op, I advocated for individuals that included, persons with disabilities who wanted to enjoy equal access to business establishments, for a transsexual to be granted HIV medication and hormone treatment while being detained at a detention center, and for victims of domestic violence to be granted immigration relief for being a victim of a crime. Thank you Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project for allowing me to experience the role of being an attorney. ]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10579 2009-07-29T04:59:26Z 2009-07-29T16:42:47Z

How fast this summer is passing by. I have one more week left before the end of my summer co-op. In honor of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), every July my supervisor sues private businesses and the government for...

Diana targetx ]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10520 2009-07-12T01:52:50Z 2009-07-13T02:16:14Z

El Paso is growing on me. I would highly recommend that more Northeastern law students come to El Paso, if not, Texas for a Co-Op. This city girl will always have Texas in her heart. Thank you Texas for allowing...

Diana targetx http://www.kdbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=10649488&nav=menu608_2 After living here for the past weeks, I will concur with El Paso's Mayor John Cook when he states that El Paso embraces and welcomes its immigrants. When I first came here I expected more immigrant backlash or anti-immigrant attitudes but instead I have seen the opposite from the El Paso community. I've been impressed with how much the Mexican culture is integrated with the El Paso community. For example, the City El Paso has gone to court (and lost) in an effort to prevent construction of the border fence within its boundaries, and local officials have resisted federal efforts to enlist local police for immigration enforcement, arguing that it would make illegals less likely to cooperate with police. I will end my blog today with a great quote, "Most people in Washington, D.C., don't understand our philosophy here that the border joins us together, it doesn't separate us." El Paso Mayor John Cook. Till next time y'all! White Sands National Park Ariel View of El Paso, TX Ariel View of both El Paso, TX amd Juarez Mexico. ]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10482 2009-06-28T18:36:49Z 2009-06-29T14:29:21Z

I am half way through my first summer co-op. This past weekend my employer had their annual fund raiser that was attended by many attorneys and politicians from El Paso. At the fundraiser event many individuals were honored for working...

Diana targetx ]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10433 2009-06-10T04:44:08Z 2009-06-10T14:27:37Z

This week one of my supervisors at work took us to Immigration Court to observe proceedings for unaccompanied minors. Unaccompanied minors are individuals who are all under the age of 18 and cross the US/Mexican border all by themselves. Escaping...

Diana targetx This week one of my supervisors at work took us to Immigration Court to observe proceedings for unaccompanied minors. Unaccompanied minors are individuals who are all under the age of 18 and cross the US/Mexican border all by themselves. Escaping political persecution or fleeing war, abusive families or other dangerous conditions in their home countries, these children -- ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers -- arrive in the US unaccompanied by their parents or legal guardians. All of the children are either from Central America or Mexico. El Paso, TX has three detention centers specifically for unaccompanied minors. It is important to note that these children are held in detention for administrative reasons, not as punishment for criminal behavior. Most of these children are either being voluntarily deported or reunified with family here in the states. Observing these minors in court brought this issue up close and personal. The youngest children I saw at this court were two sisters who were ten and eight years old. In this type of immigration proceeding, a child is not guaranteed a lawyer but is being represented by lawyers who work for the Diocesan Migrant & Refugee Services, Inc. These two sisters had no other option but to accept voluntary deportation, which allows them to return to the U.S. only if they have proper legal documentation. This experience puts another face to the issues of immigration. It isn't just adults who are affected by our immigration laws. tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10382 2009-05-29T01:03:43Z 2009-05-29T03:40:42Z

I've been in El Paso, TX for almost two weeks.  I am living at a place called Casa Puente which provides short-term housing to volunteers who come to El Paso.  The Director of Casa Puente was nice enough to pick...

Diana targetx www.TexasCivilRightsProject.org. PDNCRP focuses on litigating issues involving Civil Rights, Disability Rights, Immigrant Rights, Prisoners Rights and Economic Justice issues.  There are four law clerks including myself working at this organization for the summer.  My first day consisted of a training program followed by reading the training binder. The rest of the week I worked mainly on legal research pertaining to ADA issues (American with Disabilities Act) and on domestic violence issues.  Due to confidentiality obligations, I can't elaborate too much on the specifics of my assignments but I will try to share as much as I can. In addition, I visited the Federal Courthouse in El Paso to witness my supervisor being sworn into a new district in Texas.  Just to clarify, in order for an attorney to practice in a certain district he/she has to be sworn in by a Federal Judge.  This is it for now. Till next time and enjoy some of the El Paso pictures located below. My House in El Paso, TX.    My job at El Paso, TX. Mural inside the office. ]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10343 2009-05-17T05:32:59Z 2009-05-18T03:19:59Z

I apologize for the absence but between studying for finals and preparing for my trip to El Paso, Tx I've had no time to blog. But now I am back and prepared to blog about my first Co-Op experience. I...

Diana targetx I apologize for the absence but between studying for finals and preparing for my trip to El Paso, Tx I've had no time to blog. But now I am back and prepared to blog about my first Co-Op experience. I purchased a camera so expect more pictures on my blog. I am currently at LaGuardia Airport in NYC waiting for my flight to El Paso, Tx. I am very excited to start my Co-Op on Monday. Honestly, I am a little nervous about my skills and capabilities, but I will keep a positive attitude and just appreciate the learning experience. The whole purpose of a Co-Op is to hone my skills so I will jump in without hesitation. First Year of law school is over! I am still recovering and trying to get acclimated to normal life. My last final was a eight hour take home exam for Criminal Justice. Following the exam, I proceeded to prepare for my move to Jamaica Plain, MA where I will live when I return in the fall. My mother and sister came to visit for two days and I focused on doing some tourist things in Boston. We did the Duck Tour of Boston, (I highly recommend this tour because it includes a land and water tour of Boston). I arrived to NJ on Tuesday and focused on preparing for my trip to El Paso, Tx, by shopping at NYC for some work attire. It felt so good to return to NYC. I relished in the experience of walking around NYC. It felt good hearing the sounds of the honking horns from the taxicabs and the rustling of the subways. Oh home sweet home! El Paso updates to come soon! tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10132 2009-04-26T06:07:35Z 2009-04-27T14:15:48Z

This weekend has been a mix of working on outlines and getting to know Boston a little bit more. On Monday, April 20th, I went to Brookline, MA to watch the Boston Marathon. A friend of mine organized a marathon...

Diana targetx ]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.10010 2009-04-17T02:30:37Z 2009-04-17T12:34:29Z

Wow! Believe it or not, the end of my first year is creeping up. I don't know where the time went. Wait…I do! I spent it studying for hours without end. In a couple of weeks, I will have to...

Diana targetx http://www.amnestyusa.org/immigrant-detention/page.do?id=1641031 That is all for now till next time. ]]> tag:blogs.targetx.com,2009:/neuslaw/Diana//420.9971 2009-04-14T15:12:47Z 2009-04-14T15:27:25Z

What a week it has been! Three weeks ago my law office submitted our research project to our client organization Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts (LACCM). We presented our project to LACCM and to the rest of student body...

Diana targetx What a week it has been! Three weeks ago my law office submitted our research project to our client organization Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts (LACCM). We presented our project to LACCM and to the rest of student body the following week. Thankfully, the presentation was a success and our group went out for drinks to celebrate the completion of our report. LSSC is complete! I also volunteered for the Admissions Office and attended two admitted student events: the Diversity Reception and the Open House. It was great meeting all the admitted students that will be my future classmates this fall. Believe it or not, attending the Open House event gave me some energy to jump right into writing my summary judgment memo. It was due last week and yesterday I did my first oral argument based on the memo I submitted. My opposing counsel was another student of my legal writing class and we both had ten minutes each to state our argument. Those were the fastest ten minutes of my life. But as of yesterday I am officially done with the legal writing course. My experience as a 1L is really passing me by. In a couple of weeks, I will be taking final exams and heading out to my first Co-Op this summer. It’s a strange but exhilarating feeling to know how fast time flies!