Jen Kelso ‘21
Guest Writer
Immigration Law Society
If you’re interested in working in immigration law, or want to learn more about this important field, then join us in the Immigration Law Society!
The Immigration Law Society (ILS) is a new student organization this year, and we’re excited to get up and running. The ILS is open to all students, whether you want to pursue an immigration law career, engage in immigration pro bono, or just want to learn more about it. We wanted to form ILS to help raise the profile of immigration law and related opportunities here at UVA. We want ILS to provide a way to bring together students who are interested in immigration law and to provide educational programming, as well as share opportunities for volunteering, internships, and jobs.
Immigration law is critically important and affects millions of lives. In addition to the vast amounts of people it affects directly, it also intersects with several other important areas of the law, such as criminal law, family law, and labor law. Immigration law has also been shifting rapidly over the last few years. Since assuming office, the Trump administration has made every effort to change the law, twist it, and use it against immigrant communities. More than ever, it is crucial for lawyers to stay up to date with the most recent developments in immigration law to ensure they provide the best representation possible for their clients.
But even though immigration law has been changing so drastically, the Law School unfortunately does not currently have a dedicated immigration faculty member, and immigration law class offerings over the past few years have been unpredictable. Though a student organization cannot substitute for expert faculty, we want the ILS to begin to fill in some of those gaps. By planning educational programming–especially focusing on recent, cutting-edge topics–we want to help UVA Law students interested in immigration become lawyers who are well-prepared to advocate for their clients and who are aware of the latest important issues.
Even though this is an abnormal year, we still want to plan immigration law events to start the ILS off on the right foot. Among other things, we would like to plan speaker events over Zoom, including a Supreme Court case roundup to discuss the past term’s immigration cases; a legal Spanish bootcamp for people looking to expand their legal vocabulary and practice conversational Spanish; and an internship panel to hear about students’ past immigration law work experiences. We’d also love to hear what ideas you have for ILS events and activities!
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Hannah Morris ‘22
Guest Writer
Nicole Payne ‘21
Guest Writer
Virginia Labor and Employment Law Association
The Virginia Labor and Employment Law Association (VELLA) is a student-run organization at the Law School that seeks to educate the student body on all aspects of labor and employment law. Labor and employment law covers the rights, obligations, and responsibilities within the employer-employee relationship. Employment lawyers work on various complex issues ranging from wages to workplace safety to Title VII discrimination. They might represent employers, employees, and labor unions. As an organization, VELLA’s primary goals are to provide career and networking opportunities with alumni in the field and to educate members on new developments and issues in employment law. For example, last year, VELLA co-hosted a panel discussion with Professors George Rutherglen and Kim Forde-Mazrui on Title VII discrimination when the Supreme Court was hearing arguments regarding whether sexual orientation should be prohibited under federal law in the now landmark case Bostock v. Clayton County. VELLA also hosted a joint social event with Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law Society to watch a UVA men’s basketball game.
Additionally, VELLA has worked diligently to revamp its pro bono project, allowing students to gain firsthand experience working with clients. Students have the opportunity to represent employees who are facing termination, discipline, or other adverse employment outcomes in an administrative hearing. Students can learn to interview clients and witnesses, practice opening and closing statements, and learn from an experienced supervising attorney specializing in employment law.
VELLA’s general body meeting for the fall semester will be held virtually in October, date TBD. This fall, VELLA is planning speaker events and is currently accepting applications for 1L representatives and other positions on the board. If students are interested in joining VELLA (no dues this year!) then please email Nicole Payne at nap4kq@virginia.edu. We hope you join us!
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jlk8uc@virginia.edu
hdm8cs@virginia.edu
nap4kq@virginia.edu