Topic: ALR

~Summing Up and Signing Off~

With my first year of law school coming to an end, I would like to briefly recap the last few months…

The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) held their annual board elections last month and I was elected to a co-director position. I will serve SALDF with the amazing incumbent Tara Z. My plans for SALDF next year are somewhat grandiose; more fundraisers, events, projects, and campaigns. However, in order to accomplish these ambitious goals, SALDF needs to increase the group’s presence on-campus and get more students excited about actively participating in the group. Unfortunately, there seems to be a stigma attached to those in the “animal law” world. I hope that I can help SALDF eliminate those stereotypes and show that it does not matter what area of law you want to practice, political party you affiliate with, or whether your vegan, veg or a carnivore, the only prerequisite for SALDF is a desire to help animals. In addition, I just recently completed my website and began my campaign against Michael Vick (Football Fans Against Vick). The campaign was an idea I had and with the help of several SALDF members, it is now a reality.

Some people have asked, why animal law? The simple answer- it is because of my little boy Dare. Who wouldn’t want to advocate on behalf of him?

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Last semester, my pod honored Professor Huffman by wearing his signature look for the last day of class: bowties. This semester, Professor Enos was honored with “duty” and “condition” hats. To keep a long story short, we covered “duties” and “conditions” in class and how they can wear different hats.

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Last night it was an honor to be sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) by the Honorable Judge Fun of Washington County Circuit Court. What is a CASA?

CASA MISSION
We are advocates for the best interests of children
who have been abused or neglected
and are under the protection of the Juvenile Courts
in Multnomah and Washington Counties in Oregon.
Our purpose is to secure a safe and permanent family
for each child as quickly as possible.

“When a CASA volunteer is court-appointed to a case, he or she is responsible for gathering information, and coordinating as many elements as possible, in order to secure for each child a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible. CASAs visit children regularly, review records, interview parents and relatives, consult with teachers, neighbors and foster care providers, and work closely with community service providers. They advocate for the children and families to gain access to needed support and services. They appear in court to advocate on behalf of the child’s needs and best interests.

CASAs are an essential and often singularly impactful presence that remind everyone involved – from parents and caseworkers to lawyers and judges – that, at the heart of each case, is a child who deserves a safe and loving place to call home.” CASA for Children.

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In the past month, I have also completed an appellate brief, finished my oral arguments downtown, attended the Animal Law Review Retreat in Lincoln City, and taken my property law exam. In the month ahead, I will have completed my first year of law school, started summer school, and with any luck, recharge my batteries just to do it all over again. This is Matt D signing off. You stay classy World!

1 May 2009

Falling Behind, But Worth It.

I am behind on blogging and pretty much everything else. I think, “falling behind” has become the theme for my second semester. Thus far, the second semester is even more hectic than the first. I am guessing that this is due to becoming more acquainted with law school and taking advantage of the non-class related projects available while becoming more involved in student groups. Last semester, most of my time was consumed by reading cases and preparing for class, which I found to be “new and exciting.” Now that I can read a case in half the time, preparing for class has lost its thrill and I have found myself spending more time partaking in non-class, law school activities.  This semester these activities are “new and exciting.” However, I made this shift so that I can get more from my law school experience than the memorization of case facts and court holdings.   

This semester, I have continued my source-checking job on the Animal Law Review, been active in the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF), started a research project for one of the animal law professor, and began volunteering for a child advocacy group in Portland. Minus the last activity, I think you can see a pattern emerging: an animal law passion. Fortunately, for me, I am at Lewis & Clark, which is ranked one of the best animal law schools in the US. I think what draws me to animal law is that it is a new and developing field and because the field is still emerging, it is amazing to think that I could potentially have a hand in its development. For those of you out there who have an interest or passion for animal advocacy, I would definitely recommend Lewis & Clark. 

Last week, through our career services office, I was able to attend a few law receptions. I visited a business and corporate law firm downtown and one of the local DA’s office. It is safe to say that working at a business law firm is far more lucrative than the DA’s office, but the DA’s office seems to be more intrinsically rewarding.

16 February 2009