Drug-addicted and pregnant
By Nancy Goldstein, Salon.com – January 28

Pregnant women who test positive for cocaine are still being criminally charged with everything from child abuse to delivery of drugs to a minor or homicide. "Unfortunately, hundreds of women have been arrested, and thousands of new mothers have been reported to child welfare authorities based on junk science and medical misinformation," says National Advocates for Pregnant Women staff attorney [and Equal Justice Works Fellow] Allison Guttu.

The protector: Fordham Law School student honored for her public interest work
By Ursula Furi-Perry, National Jurist – January 2009

Caroline Hsu was recently the recipient of the Equal Justice Works Exemplary Public Service Award. The prestigious annual award honors a law student for his or her committment to and involvement in public interest law.

The law-school debt trap
By Patty Stonesifer and Sandy Stonesifer, Slate Magazine – January 22

There are several new programs that may help you to follow your dream to help people rather than bill hours, while making sure that you don't have to take on a second job to cover your debt. The first program won't be up and running until July 2009, but it could certainly benefit many underpaid and overdebted do-gooders. The Department of Education's Income Based Repayment Plan essentially caps the percentage of your discretionary inco me you are expected to pay toward your student loan debt. (This calculator can help you determine whether you are eligible, but only the department can give you a final verdict.) Heather Jarvis of Equal Justice Works (on their very useful student loan podcast) says that an easy calculation is that anyone who owes more than their annual salary will likely be eligible. Take extra caution if you are married and filing jointly: Both spouses' income will be counted to determine your eligibility. Also be sure to pay attention to what type of loans you have, as not all types of federal loans are eligible.

AG pick could signal future of FISA
By Tim Starks, Congressional Quarterly – January 14

With one legal step, President Obama could undo the retroactive legal immunity for telecommunications companies allegedly involved in warrantless wiretapping that he opposed as Sen. Obama. And a hint about what he intends to do could come Thursday at the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearing for Eric Holder, Jr., who would be the man to pull that string as Obama’s attorney general. The leading plaintiff in the AT&T lawsuit, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, is challenging the 2008 law. The organization hopes that if confirmed, Holder will withdraw either the certifications Mukasey provided the court or his motion to dismiss the lawsuits, which is based on the new law. If the judge sides with the Bush administration before Obama the new administration will be presented with a choice: If it agrees with the judge, it might fight an appeal; if it doesn't, it might simply withdraw the original Bush administration certification and thereby moot the appeal. "We think the only thing for the Obama administration to do, if Sen. Obama actually meant what he said about his opposition, is, well, he's now in a position to stop it immediately," said [Equal Justice Works Alumnus] Kevin Bankston, senior staff attorney with the foundation.

Group aims to keep Coast projects going
By Lynn Lofton, Biloxi Sun-Herald – January 15

As President-elect Obama and congressional leaders draft an economic-recovery package for projects that are ready to go, advocates of the Gulf Coast want the area's hurricane-recovery projects to be included. Reilly Morse, director of the Mississippi Center for Justice [and Equal Justice Works Alumnus], came hoping to learn of opportunities to restore the volunteer labor pool to the area's rebuilding efforts. Proponents of the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act are also calling on the federal government to provide 100,000 jobs and job training; rebuild homes, public infrastructure and community resources; promote sustainable development and environmental restoration; and ensure equitable working conditions by providing fair wages.

Obama nominates four to senior justice posts
By Carrie Johnson, Washington Post – January 6

President-elect Barack Obama selected four prominent lawyers yesterday for senior posts at the Justice Department, naming pragmatic leaders who are likely to reverse some of the more divisive policies of the Bush administration. Obama also selected Harvard Law School Dean [and Equal Justice Works board member] Elena Kagan, who drew immediate praise from conservatives for her efforts to attract an ideologically diverse faculty at Harvard. Kagan is the first woman nominated to be solicitor general. Career Justice staff members praised Clinton-era veterans David W. Ogden, the choice to serve as the department's second in command, and Thomas J. Perrelli, the choice for civil division chief.