Ellyce Anapolsky of The John Marshall Law School was one of three students to win national recognition from the National Association of Public Interest Law for her work on behalf of senior citizens in Oakland, Calif.

Anapolsky, a second-year student, was a NAPIL/VISTA summer fellow providing assistance to senior citizens cited for violations on the city's blight ordinance. She found that the senior citizens did not have the resources required to maintain their homes leading to city building code citations. Over time, those citations, which carried monetary penalties, matured into liens against the property and eventually led to foreclosure.

Seniors were about to lose their homes because they were unable to navigate the political and legal systems, Anapolsky said. She worked with the City of Oakland and the local advocate community to provide the access and support the seniors needed to keep and rehabilitate their homes. "Their homes were a major resource of a lifetime of hard work," she explained.

During her 10-week fellowship, Anapolsky worked with city officials, mortgage lenders and social service agencies. She talked to building inspectors, went on a site inspection and attended hearings to understand the scope of the problem.

Anapolsky said the training from NAPIL before the project began and the continued training, direction and resources provided by Legal Assistance for Seniors was crucial. The project culminated with a meeting of interested agencies and advocates, and continues under the auspices of the City of Oakland and the other attendees.

"The real issue was the taking of the house," Anapolsky explains. "The city did not provide ready access to the due process provisions required by its municipal code. These senior citizens were living in unsightly if not unsafe conditions in an area where property values have seen huge increases. The result was a conflict between neighborhood beautification and the seniors' right to keep their homes."

A former employee of the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, and the National Senior Citizens Law Center in Washington, D.C., Anapolsky found her background provided her with invaluable experience.

"It really was a perfect fit," she admits. "The city was trying to solve the problem, and I'm persistent."

"Ellyce took the initiative in submitting her application to NAPIL and had a terrific summer experience as a result," said Nancy Thompson, assistant dean for the Career Services Office. Anapolsky applied for the fellowship through CSO. The CSO staff hopes more students will consider public interest work for summer 2002.

John Marshall alumni and friends completed the ninth annual study trip to the Czech Republic. During the 10-day trip, staff at Masaryk University in Brno arranged visits to the new Office of the Public Defender of Rights (Ombudsman) and to the Constitutional Court. The John Marshall delegation was welcomed at the university by the new dean of the law faculty, Jan Svaton.

In Prague, the group completed its eighth annual continuing legal education program for the Czech Bar Association. Topics focused on the Microsoft case, terrorism, bankruptcy, legal ethics and environmental law. Alternative dispute resolution was demonstrated by a mock mediation in which an employer and employee attempted to settle a labor dispute.

Professor Michael P. Seng left for the Czech Republic Oct. 17, two days before the group, and presented a lecture on terrorism for students and faculty at the Economics University in Jindrichuv Hradec. He later repeated the talk at the Economics University in Prague.

The group also did sightseeing in the Moravian spa town of Luhacovice and in Brno and Prague.

Professor Seng is beginning work on the 10^th annual trip in October 2002.

On November 7, 2001, at the AIDS Foundation annual meeting of the Board of Directors and the Service Providers Council, The John Marshall Law School was presented with a plaque recognizing the school's support for the programs conducted by the AIDS Foundation. Each year, the AIDS Foundation recognizes corporations and organizations that extend continued support of the foundation. The John Marshall Law School hosts the AIDS Foundation training program and education seminars throughout the year. Established in 1985, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is the largest private sector AIDS organization in the Midwest. Since its founding, AFC has worked to develop and support a comprehensive system of HIV prevention and care, bringing together public and private resources, advocating for sound and compassionate public policy, and coordinating the activities of AIDS service providers. The John Marshall Law School provides an environment that is conducive for the programs designed to meet their objectives. Professor Mark Wojcik and Gary Watson, Director of Event Management, were present to accept the award.

Professor Ronald Smith, organizer and director of the annual John Marshall Law School/American Bar Association National Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition, has announced the 20 teams who will compete in the 12^th annual competition April 4, 5 and 6, 2002, at the law school.

The annual competition has received high praise from its law school participants and from the many lawyers and judges who evaluate the student competitors. In 1998, the competition won the ABA's prestigious "Best of the Sections" award for "meritorious service to the legal profession."

Selected from the 50 entrants were Baylor University School of Law in Texas; Catholic University's Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C.; Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in Michigan; Creighton University School of Law in Nebraska; the University of Denver College of Law; Emory University School of Law in Georgia; Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.; Harvard Law School in Boston; The John Marshall Law School, Chicago.

George Mason University School of Law in Virginia; the University of Missouri School of Law; New York University School of Law; the University of Oklahoma College of Law; the University of Oregon School of Law; University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in California; Southern Methodist University School of Law in Texas; Southwestern University School of Law in California; Stetson University College of Law in Florida; and Temple University's Beasley School of Law in Pennsylvania.

The 20 invited schools include the four semifinalists and the three alternates from last year's competition, along with Creighton University, the winner of 2001competition, and Catholic University's Columbus School of Law, this year's Northeast Regional Competition winner.

Monday, November 19^th

Every semester the SBA sponsors a faculty auction. Prizes are donated by the staff and faculty and the funds from the auction will be used for scholarships. Please join us at 12:00 and 4:00 in the student lounge.

The Christian Legal Society will meet at 10:45 a.m. in room 1105. All are welcome. This meeting will host Mr. Dave Allen who will speak about the conflicts that could arise between the law and religion.

Josten's will be present in the student lounge. Class rings will be available for purchase.

Wednesday, November 21^st

The Latter Day Saint Student Association will meet at 3:00 p.m. in room 428.

Thursday, November 22^nd

Happy Thanksgiving!

The JMLS Vocal Ensemble is preparing for the holiday party. If you are interested, please join them at Noon on 3 East.

Professor John D. Ingram

Publications

His article, "In Vitro Fertilization: Problems and Solutions," 98 Dick. L. Rev. 67 (1993), was cited recently in 28 Hofstra L. Rev. 493; 84 Minn. L. Rev. 55; 76 Wash. U.L.Q. 759; 16 Law & Ineq. 153.

Professor Mark E. Wojcik

Activities

He spoke on October 29, 2001 at Valparaiso University School of Law on the topic of careers in international law.

He spoke on October 30, 2001 at The John Marshall Law School on international careers, with Professor Sonia Bychkov Green and Lewis Matuszewich of the law firm Wolin and Rosen.

He spoke on November 8, 2001 before the Chicago Bar Association's International Law Committee on developments in human rights law since the September attacks on the United States.

He will teach a short course in Mexico on "English for Law and Business" from November 14-16 in Mexico City. This past summer he also taught Legal Writing Classes in Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia.

November 19

Christian Legal Society, Room 3East, 10:30 a.m.

Tenured Faculty Meeting, Room 1200a, 12:25 p.m.

November 20

Career Services - "Resume and Cover Letter Writing Workshop for 1Ls", Room 1200a, 10:30 a.m.

Strategic Plan-Staff Meeting, Room 1200A, 12:00 p.m.

Career Services - "Get a Piece of the Pie! Learn How to Negotiate your Benefits", Room 1200B, 12:45 p.m.

November 21

Faculty Works-in-Progress, Room 217, 3:00 p.m.

November 22

Thanksgiving Day

November 26

Special Faculty Meeting, Room 1200a, 12:15 p.m.

November 27

Professor McGovern Breakfast Meeting, Room 1203, 8:30 a.m.

IL Native American Bar Association Meeting, Room 1203, 5:00 p.m.

November 28

Tax Center Luncheon, Room 1200B, 12:00 p.m.

Decalogue Society Lunch and Learn - "Jewish Law", Room 1200A, 12:30 p.m.

December 1

American College of Medical Practice Mgt Seminar, Room 1200, 8:00 a.m.