The Red Velvet Lawyer

The Appalachian School of Law's Innocence Project The Appalachian School of Law established a local chapter of the Innocence Project in 2012.   Mission Statement The website of the national organization explains its mission: The Innocence Project was founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University to assist prisoners who could be proven innocent through DNA testing. To date, more than 300 people in the United States have been exonerated by DNA testing, including 18 who served time on death row. These people served an average of 13 years in prison before exoneration and release.  The Innocence Project’s full-time staff attorneys and Cardozo clinic students provide direct representation or critical assistance in most of these cases. The Innocence Project’s groundbreaking use of DNA technology to free innocent people has provided irrefutable proof that wrongful convictions are not isolated or

Appalachian School of Law Students  Help Build the Great Eastern Trail Students at the Appalachian School of Law organized to help with the title work associated with building the Great Eastern Trail Project . In August of 2007, the trail groups involved in the effort incorporated as the Great Eastern Trail Association and held an organizational meeting in Virginia in November of 2007. Project organizers intend to establish an organizational structure that will encompass the entire length of the trail and to begin filling in the gaps in the trail. About the GET Project The Great Eastern Trail (GET) Association, working with American Hiking Society and local trail partners, is creating America's newest long-distance hiking trail.  This path runs for 1800 miles across nine states.  It runs roughly parallel to the Appalachian Trail, but follows the ridges on the Western side of the Appalachian Mountains.  Its path takes it close to Buchanan County and the la

The ADR Society of the  Appalachian School of Law The Appalachian School of Law is the only law school in the U.S. founded with a focus on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).  Beginning in 2006, the school placed increasing emphasis on its ADR curriculum, as I described here .   The ADR Society is a student organization dedicated to the advancement and awareness of ADR practices, to the exploration of career opportunities in ADR, and to equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to represent their future clients effectively in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration forums.   Students created this organization in 2012. Thus, it joins the other offerings falling generally under our Lawyer as Problem certificate program. Its Constitutional Preamble provides: The ADR Society exists to provide Appalachian School of Law students with opportunities to learn about Alternative Dispute Resolution practice, utility, and technique. It does th

The Patent Law Association of the  Appalachian School of Law The Patent Law Association serves as a source of knowledge in patent law, intellectual property law, copyright law, and as a network for Appalachian School of Law students, alumni, faculty, and staff. If anyone has more information about this student organization, please let me know.  

The Appalachian Natural Resources Law Journal  of the Appalachian School of Law The Appalachian School of Law offers two scholarly writing journals edited by students.  I profile the first journal -- the Appalachian Journal of Law --  here . The ANRLJ published its first issue in September 2007.  It has published articles from lawyers, business leaders, coal, oil, and natural gas industry participants, and students.     The Mission Statement of the ANRLJ  The By-Laws of this journal provide: Our mission is to promote excellence in natural resources law through education, analysis, and publication of natural resource related issues, and any issues that may bear a relation to the field of natural resources.   We will endeavor to demonstrate, through our members, an ethical commitment to illuminate all facets of current natural resources issues pertinent to the community at large, with emphasis on the Appalachian community [and] to promote a

The Appalachian Journal of Law of the Appalachian School of Law The Appalachian School of Law offers two scholarly writing journals edited by students.  I profile the second journal -- the Appalachian Natural Resources Law Journal -- here .  In 2000, the students and faculty began operating the Appalachian Journal of Law.  It has published articles from prominent academicians, judges, lawyers, and business leaders.  It also publishes student notes and comments.  The Law Journal published its first issue in September 2002 and published one issue each year from that time until 2005.  It then began publishing a second issue focusing on ADR.    The ADR issue has gotten notice in the ADR field because the Editorial Board has solicited articles by contacting the leading dispute resolution LL.M. programs and by communicating through list serves that reach over 10,000 ADR practitioners and scholars.  To ensure that all students have an opportunity to join, the

The Beltway Bar Association of the Appalachian School of Law This student organization provides information about bar exam rules and application processes for D.C., Virginia, and Maryland on its dedicated TWEN site. Formed in 2011, it also provides information about bar passage rates in those jurisdictions and posts jobs offered in those communities.   The TWEN site needs updating.  

The North Carolina/South Carolina [Student] Bar Association of the Appalachian School of Law ASL has two student organizations focused on geographic locations:  The North Carolina/South Carolina Bar Association and the Beltway Bar Association.   Students formed the NC/SC Bar Association in 2008.  It represents students who intend to return to those states to practice law.  ASL draws a number of students from both states as part of its mission to serve the Appalachian region. The Purpose Statement This organization exists to "promote awareness, educate, and empower law students interested in obtaining information about the bar exams in North Carolina and South Carolina."   Membership is open to any interested ASL students.     

ASL C.A.R.E.S.  of the  Appalachian School of Law ASL C.A.R.E.S. functions, in part, as the Buchanan County Humane Society.   Its members:  host several pet adoption events through the year,  provide food to sheltered animals,  help keep local animals vaccinated,  offer services at the shelter,  foster animals that might otherwise be euthanized,  transport animals to breed-devoted adoption services, and work diligently to make the local animal shelter a no-kill shelter. Purpose Statement This student group intends: [T]o bring greater awareness to the ASL community about animal rights and welfare in current events. While spreading awareness, we also hope to benefit the well-being of animals in both the local and national level though fundraising events and public speeches, as well as other various events. Membership is open to all ASL students, and the Constitution of ASL C.A.R.E.S. contains a non-discrimination c

The Community Thread Society  of the Appalachian School of Law The Community Thread Society meets most weeks on Wednesday afternoons. Its members spread their projects out on the loveseats, chairs, and carpet of the Lions' Lounge.  Some members are busy knitting blanket squares.  Other members crochet the squares together to form child-sized blankets.  Still other members add the edging to bring the project to completion. This group knits beautiful blankets for the abused and neglected children served by CASA, the Court Appointed Special Advocates that I profiled here .  I can imagine how precious a lovingly hand-made blanket would be to a young child. Members include both men and women who enjoy a break from study, appreciate the chance to socialize, and feel a deep sense of commitment to the Grundy community. Students can use their hands for something other than typing, while ex

The Appalachian School of Law Republican Law Society The Appalachian School of Law campus hosts two student organizations reflecting party politics: The Democratic Law Society and the Republican Law Society. The Mission Statement The Constitution of the Republican Law Society provides: The mission of this association is to give voice to Republican ideals on and off campus.  The goal of this organization shall be to support Republican candidates on the local and national level as well as encouraging debate and thoughtful awareness of the issues of the day on campus.   It holds membership open to any and all ASL students and alumni.  It also expressly provides a non-discriminatory clause in the Constitution.  An "active" member must attend two meetings of the group. Sponsored Events and Activities   The RLS is perhaps best known for its annual fall event called the All American Ball.  Proceeds from tickets sales benefit various cha

The Gay/Straight Legal Association at the Appalachian School of Law Students organized this association in 2003 to stimulate an active discussion on issues pertinent to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.  It's unofficial motto:  "We love everyone!" Mission Statement The Gay/Straight Legal Association (aka Outlaws) strives to provide a social network for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allied students with the law school and the legal community.  It also works to provide education about legal issues which impact the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.  It also strives to help build a safe and tolerant society that respects diversity and offers gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons equal protection of the law. Membership Requirements Membership in the association is open to all students, faculty, staff, and alumni and shall not be denied to any person based on age, race, sex, religion, handicap, n