A CLE on Constitutional Law October 29 - 1:30-5:00 p.m. @ UW School of Law Whose Right? Corporations, People and the 1st Amendment, 3 CLE credits pending Registration fee - $225. Early registration discount - $150 until 10/14.  $50 discount for NLG members current with 2010 dues.

Please check back later at this site for registration information.

Presented jointly by the Seattle Chapter of the Natl Lawyers Guild, UW School of Law & American Constitution Society.

2010 UW law grad Sarah White will be the NLG's 2010 recipient of the C.B. King Award at the National Convention in New Orleans this September.During her three years in law school, Sarah White has distinguished herself by working for justice both on and off campus while advocating for UW custodians facing budget cuts and intimidation, providing legal assistance to a homeless encampment, coordinating legal servcies for homeless youth and providing  crucial organizing work for the UW NLG chapter's events.  The C. B. King Award will be given to Sarah White in recognition of the principle that a lawyers and law students can be both activists and organizers.

Seattle University NLG member Bette Fleishman has been  awarded the 2010 Leadership for Justice Fellowship from Seattle University School of Law.

Bette Fleishman (SU Law '10) will work at Disability Rights Washington to address the criminalization of individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries in county jails across the state of Washington. During her year-long fellowship, she will work to change how county jails and the state Department of Corrections deal with inmates through coalition building, advocacy, training, monitoring and possibly litigation or legislation.

"Solving the global problem of excessive and inhumane incarceration of people with disabilities cannot be remedied in a single year," Fleishman said. "However, a significant impact can be made on the immediate needs of Washington inmates. A disproportionate number of inmates in jails are disabled, and the jails are not equipped to serve them."

Her goals are to establish two model correctional facilities, identify alternatives to incarceration; create enhanced standards of care; increase the knowledge and skill of lawyers, jails and correctional administrators; and develop a long-term plan.

Seattle University School of Law is the only law school in the state to offer a post-graduate fellowship. It provides a salary of $40,000 for one year to a graduate to work with a host organization on a specific social justice project.

Fleishman has a lifelong interest in issues involving disability and incarceration. A licensed behavioral health counselor, she worked for 25 years with nonprofit organizations before attending law school. Her experience includes working on prison-based treatment programs, establishing a residential program for incarcerated women with addictive and co-occurring mental health issues, and directing a rape crisis center.

The Seattle Chapter of the NLG meets monthly on the first Tuesday of every month.  The meeting on September 7, 2010 is at the Montlake Ale House, 2307 24th Avenue East, Seattle, WA (206.726.5968). This is an opportunity to connect with other NLG members to discuss future activities and events. If unable to attend, feedback is welcome at geoduck@nlgseattle.org.

PRESS RELEASE- For Immediate Release