sba newsletter 2 - 9/15/14

Issue 2: September 15, 2014 Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter

Suffolklawsba.com Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA Twitter: @SULS_sba

SBA NEWS A Message From Tom

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I hope this message finds everyone doing well and I also hope that you all enjoyed our first newsletter last week.

In case you missed it, the election process for Section Representative is underway. If you are interested in running, you have until 9/16 at 8:30pm to hand in your completed packet with 25 signatures.

In addition, this week we have a great Alumni Spotlight with Serge Georges, Jr., who gave the Oath of Professionalism at this years orientation. He provides some great insight and advice.

Contents

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A Message From Tom

SBA Happenings

Student Spotlights

What is the SBA?

Alumni Spotlight

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Contact List & Preamble

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Lastly, we had our first running project meeting over the weekend and it was great to meet some new students and go on an enjoyable Saturday morning run in the city.

- Tom Davis

SBA President

Suffolk University Law School SBA Executive Newsletter Issue 2: September 15, 2014

suffolklawsba.com Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA Twitter: @SULS_sba

OFFICE HOURS with Tom: Tuesday 12 2pm and Thursday 6 7:30pm in room 450G.

Section Representative ELECTIONS

o Completed packets due by 9/16 @ 8:30pm (room 450G)

o 9/17 19: Candidate speeches

o 9/24 (noon) 9/26 (5pm): POLLS OPEN

Students interested in the BBA are invited to a welcome reception at the Boston Bar Association (16 Beacon St) on Thursday, September 18 at 5:30pm. To RSVP, email Maggie DeMoura at [email protected].

The Suffolk Law Running Project will meet this week on Wednesday from 6-7pm and Saturday at 10am. All abilities are welcome to attend. Like Suffolk Law Running Project on Facebook for daily training and more information.

SBA Executive Announcements & Happenings

Photo taken by Liz Ogden at the first Suffolk Law Running Project meeting

We need YOU To design our new Suffolk Law SBA logo!

What: We are looking for a new Suffolk Law SBA logo. What you design is up to you. Please submit your entry by emailing it to marketing director Jess Murray at [email protected].

When: We will accept entries between now and October 1st.

Prize: A $50 gift card to Boston Brewin

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Your

Logo

Here!

Section Representative elections will be held 9/24 (noon) 9/26 (5pm).

Completed packets are due by 8:30pm on 9/16 and should be dropped off in

room 450G.


suffolklawsba.com Facebook: Suffolk Law SBA Twitter: @SULS_sba 3

Tip of the week

Relax Law school can be very

stressful, especially for new students getting acclimated

with the amount and style of the course load. It is a great idea to take time each day to relax. Whether this involves

watching TV, playing a video game, going on a run or to yoga, or hanging out with friends, making the time to participate in a

relaxing activity may help you be happier and become

a better student.

One way to relax could be to join us at the Suffolk Law Running Project. We are

meeting this week on Wednesday at 6pm and

Saturday at 10am.

What is the SBA? For those unfamiliar with the SBA, it is the governing body of all students and organizations at Suffolk Law. The SBA exists to organize events and provide resources for students and student organizations at Suffolk Law. In addition, it also serves as the official voice of the Suffolk Law student body by representing your interests to the law school administration and outside legal community. The SBA has three foundational goals this year. First, the SBA seeks to improve the quality of life for more students at Suffolk Law. To accomplish this, the SBA has been hard at work all summer planning quality programs of an academic, professional, and social nature. Second, the SBA seeks to help more Suffolk Law students get jobs. To accomplish this, the SBA has planned innovative and inclusive programs designed to highlight the true strengths of Suffolk Law students. Finally, the SBA seeks to improve the perception of Suffolk Law both within and without of our community. To accomplish this, the SBA has planned various new programs and activities that engage both the legal and outside community. The success of the SBA is directly dependent on student involvement. This means that the more students who participate, the better the year will be for everyone. Accordingly, I encourage you all to make your voices heard. If you have a problem, issue, or idea no matter how small reach out to us as we are here to work for you.

Get Involved!

The Section Representative elections are coming up. Signature packets are due on Tuesday (9/16) by 8:30pm.

Packets should be dropped off in room 450G.

Poll of the week results! Periodically, we will conduct a poll online and will post the results here.

The Suffolk Law Running Project will meet this week on

Wednesday from 6-7pm and Saturday at 10am


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Student Spotlight Meet Jah-Asia Nuru

Jah-Asia Nuru is a 3L originally from Washington DC. Jah spent her summer in California working at the San Francisco Public Defenders Office.

What was your favorite part about working at the San Francisco Public Defenders Office?

I loved meeting with the clients and going to court.

What do you like to do outside of law school?

I dont really remember what its like to have a life outside of law school, but I really enjoy gardening (plants and flowers). I have a bit of a green thumb.

What are you most looking forward to this school year?

Im most excited about being in the Suffolk Defenders Clinic: becoming a better trial advocate.

What are you hoping to do after you earn your degree?

Im hoping to be a public defender either in CA, NY, or DC.

Jah-Asias Favorites Place to study: I used to like studying in the 5th floor reading room but now its the clinical office. Study break: Walking through the Commons. Part of Suffolk Law: The amazingly supportive faculty and staff. Coffee shop near school: The Thinking Cup. Movie: Hard to pick just one. Classic: It Happened One Night. Musical: Singing in the Rain. Film Noire: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. 80s: Dirty Dancing. Comedy: Zoolander.



Alumni Spotlight Serge Georges, Jr. --- Class of 1996

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Serge Georges, Jr. is an Associate Justice in Boston Municipal Court. He currently sits in the Dorchester division, which is also the judicial district that he grew up in. 1Ls might recognize Georges, as he delivered the Oath of Professionalism at last weeks orientation. This interview was conducted by Eunice Aikins-Afful, Co-Director of Alumni Affairs.

What journals/ activities/ concentrations did you participate in at Suffolk Law? I knew that I wanted to be a trial attorney, so I focused my courses and activities around that goal. I took courses in evidence, legal writing and procedure, as well as participated in trial advocacy

competitions and activities. One of the most meaningful things that I did was participate in the Defenders Clinical Program with Professor Blumenson where I represented people as a 3:03 certified law student in what was then the Dorchester District Court.

What do you consider the best part of your job? Whether in private practice or now as a judge, I always considered the best part of what I do to be the ability to help people in rather traumatic, scary, and anxious moments.

What is your greatest professional achievement? I would definitely say getting appointed to the bench. No matter your professional success, some of us, myself included, had pockets of doubt here and there about how good we are professionally. But when I made it through the many levels of vetting, got nominated and then confirmed, I had a sense of pride that I had done some things right in my career to have earned the Governors confidence and honor. I take great pride in that. Who is your favorite Supreme Court Justice, living or deceased? Earl Warren. The Brown v. Board of Education was, and is, a landmark decision that helped solidify the early foundation of the Civil Rights movement. The importance of a unanimous decision was not lost on Warren and the work he undertook to make that happen cannot be understated. One piece of advice: Aspire to high standards of excellence in all you do. Set the bar very high for the work product that you will produce. Be professional and courteous with opposing lawyers. You may not always agree, but thats no excuse to be uncivil to one another. Be kind to court personnel, and your staff often times they will be your best friends when you need something. And lastly, dont take yourself too seriously. Being a lawyer does not make you better than anyone else. Always keep that in mind.



Contact Information Name Position Email

Tom davis President [email protected] Monica Bellevue Vice President [email protected] Neil Lindquist Chief of Staff [email protected] Kelley Sweetser Treasurer [email protected]

We the Students of Suffolk University Law School, in order to support and encourage academic excellence and professional development; to preserve the right of students to acquire a quality legal education in a just and reasonable environment; to provide a means of communication between students and the Law School; and to maintain a connection with alumni, do herby establish this

Constitution for the Student Bar Association of Suffolk University Law School.

SBA Constitution Preamble

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For a full contact list of all SBA Directors please visit our website at suffolklawsba.com

Vice President Monica Bellevue and President Tom Davis

sba newsletter 2 - 9/15/14

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