May 09, 2011
The
Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development, the official
publication of the
Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic
Development, recently recognized three students for their
outstanding performance in the Student Perspectives on Justice
Writing Competition.
Since its founding in 1985 as the Journal of Legal Commentary, the
Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development has been dedicated
to publishing student scholarship on issues of social, racial and
economic justice. The annual writing competition furthers this goal
by recognizing students for authoring superior notes and giving
them the opportunity to present their scholarship to the St. John’s
Law School community.
This year’s competition selection committee ― Professors
Leonard M. Baynes,
John P. Hennigan,
Mary L. Lyndon,
Janai S. Nelson,
Robert A. Ruescher and
Ettie Ward ― considered some 20 notes submitted by Journal
members. The winning authors were:
- Paulo Alves ’11, Senior Staff Member, for “Taking the Fifth
Beyond Trial: §1983 for Pre-Trial Use of Coerced Statements Affirms
One’s Right Against Self Incrimination”
- Katie Harrison ‘11. Managing Editor, for “Direct Tuition
Payments Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act:
Equal Remedies for Equal Harm”
- Nicole Rubin ‘11, Articles Editor, honorable mention for “Cars
as an Appropriate Vehicle for Communication? Exploring the ‘Short,
Though Regular Journey,’ From Windshield to the Pavement”
Steven
Ramirez, Professor of Law and Director of the Business Law
Center at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, opened the Best
Notes event honoring the winners with a rousing endorsement of
scholarly writing and encouraged all attendees to consistently
pursue scholarly endeavors regardless of their career paths.
Professor Ramirez’s latest book, “Reimagining Capitalism,” will be
published by NYU Press. The student winners then gave
presentations, engaging the audience in lively discussions on their
topics and scholarship. “I really appreciated the perspectives and
questions from the audience” Katie Harrison said. “It was wonderful
to get their feedback and some of the ideas they shared will really
help me improve my paper.”
“The writing competition is a great opportunity for Journal
students to showcase their scholarship and raise awareness among
their peers about the important issues of racial, social, and
economic justice they choose to research,” commented Professor
Nelson, co-faculty advisor to the Journal and Associate Director of
The RHB Center. The diversity of perspectives and range of topics
showcased at the Best Notes event represent the multitude of
perspectives the Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development
aims to address. “I think these papers are indicative of the
quality of the Journal’s student publications as well as its
willingness to take on some of the more challenging legal and
social problems facing our country today,” said incoming Journal
Symposium Editor Aaron Barham ’12.
Added Professor Baynes, Director of The RHB Center: “As faculty
advisors to the Journal for the past three years, Professor Nelson
and I are very proud of its continued progress and success. We look
forward to being part of the Student Perspectives on Justice
Writing Competition and Best Notes event in coming years, as the
Journal continues to examine compelling questions at the
intersection of law and social, racial and economic justice.”
To learn more about the Journal of Civil Rights and Economic
Development, visit
its website.