National Lawyers Guild

The National Lawyers Guild is an association dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. NLG seeks to unite the lawyers, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers of America in an organization that shall function as an effective political and social force in the service of the people, to the end that human rights shall be more sacred than property interests.

NLG'S aim is to bring together all those who recognize the importance of safeguarding and extending the rights of workers, women, farmers and minority groups, upon whom the welfare of the entire nation depends; who seek actively to eliminate racism; who work to maintain and protect our civil rights and liberties in the face of persistent attacks upon them; and who look upon the law as an instrument for the protection of the people, rather than for their repression. The NYU chapter seeks to build community on the NYU campus, create opportunities for networking between progressive and radical law students and lawyers, and champion progressive and radical causes at NYU, in New York City, and beyond. We work extensively with NLG chapters at other area law schools as well as the NYC chapter.

DisOrientation
Again in 2013, NYU joined National Lawyers Guild chapters from Brooklyn Law School, Columbia, Cardozo, CUNY, and New York Law School to organize a day long “DisOrientation” conference for law students from NYC schools. Nearly 100 students participated in workshops and panels covering: the NYPD's Stop and Frisk policy; trainings for legal observers, the Immigration Court Observation Project (ICOP). and Street Law; and workshops with NLG attorneys on going into private practice, dealing with the pressures of law school as a 1L, and ways to continue advocacy and organizing work while in school. DisOrientation gives law students a way to create and strengthen ties to those at other law schools, as well as with local practitioners.

Rebellious Lawyering Conference
Each year, NYU NLG sends members to Yale Law's annual, student-run conference that features law students, community advocates and legal practitioners. Together, they discuss progressive and innovative approaches to social change and the law.

Immigration Court Observation Project
Coordinators: Colin Stroud and Antonia House

The Immigration Court Observation Project (ICOP) is a city wide law-student led initiative to attend immigration proceedings, document observations, and identify lapses in due process. Since 2006, hundreds of NYC-area law students have observed over a thousand hearings, the findings of which are analyzed and compiled into a biannual report which is distributed to local and national immigration advocacy groups and administrators. Please contact Colin or Antonia with any questions.

Know your Rights and Street Law Training
Coordinator: Diane Johnston

Contact Diane for information on upcoming trainings.

Legal Observers Training
Coordinator: Ryan Barrett

Contact Ryan for information about upcoming opportunities.