Advanced Civil Procedure Seminar: Social Justice Litigation

Catalog description

Public interest lawyers have been making headlines lately, filing numerous lawsuits to defend and advance the constitutional and statutory rights of vulnerable communities. Whether involving the Muslim ban, police misconduct, LGBT rights, affirmative action, immigrant detention, or other hot-button issues, these cases face substantive, procedural, and strategic challenges as they make their way through the courts. This class will explore some of those challenges, as well as the promise and pitfalls of using litigation to achieve social justice goals. Among the topics that may be covered are: suits against government agencies; pleading requirements for social justice claims; class actions; barriers to court; suits for damages versus injunctive relief; ethical problems unique to social justice lawyering; and the use of non-litigation strategies. The class will also consider broader questions about the role of lawyers and litigation in social justice movements. Enrollment is limited to 15 students. ULWR