On November 2, BC Law launched what will be a series of events throughout this academic year celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of clinical education at the Law School. The kick off was a tribute luncheon honoring the Founders of the Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau (LAB), the pioneering program they established in 1968, and featuring keynoter retired Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Francis X. Spina ’71.
Afterward, alumni, faculty, and current students in the clinical program assembled for several hours of their own version of “Moth” storytelling, during which they shared experiences both touching and brave. Among those speaking were Hon. William Orrick ’79, Jay Sicklick ’87, Julie Dahlstrom ’08, Steve Van Dyke ’08, Melina Munoz ’15, and Sahar Basaria ’18.
Today, LAB functions as a law firm handling civil litigation, juvenile rights, entrepreneurship, immigration, community enterprise, and an appellate program (with the Ninth Circuit). It is part of the Center for Experiential Learning, which also houses criminal justice offerings that now include the BC Defenders, a prosecution clinic, and innocence and prisoner disciplinary programs; award-winning advocacy programs; and a variety of externships. Tours of the center concluded the activities.
In all, more than a hundred people took part in the day’s festivities.
Next up in the clinical education anniversary series was an access to justice event November 15 comparing US and Brazilian law. That will be followed in the spring by a “Lawyering at the Boundaries” conference (on March 15) and a gala.