The Legal Studies Program is excited to welcome two new faculty members to the Legal Studies team this fall: Tanishia Lavette Williams and Samantha Maltais. Please read their bios below!

Legal Studies Affirmative Action Case Briefing Event

On September 19th, the Law and Society Internship and Seminar class hosted a successful event featuring Professors Breen and Kabrhel. The event, titled "How to Read and Understand a Case: Striking Down Race as a Factor in College Admissions," aimed to instruct attendees in reading and summarizing legal opinions. Additionally, it delved into the implications of the recent US Supreme Court decision concerning college admissions.

ENACT Expands to all 50 States: Welcomes Faculty from across the US to Brandeis

In June, ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation welcomed 22 faculty members from colleges and universities across the United States to Brandeis for the third in-person ENACT Institute. Each is an ENACT Faculty Fellow, teaching their version of “Advocacy for Policy Change” (LGS 161b) the ENACT course that forms the basis of the program developed and taught at Brandeis by ENACT Director Prof. Melissa Stimell, Professor of the Practice in Legal Studies and Chair of the Social Justice and Social Policy Program. Faculty Fellows traveled from as near as Connecticut and Maine to as far as Alaska and Arizona. This third cohort of ENACT Faculty Fellows brings the non-partisan ENACT program to all 50 states.

During the three-day institute new and experienced Faculty Fellows delved deeply into the ENACT model as they developed their courses, and they shared their own expertise. Discussion topics included how to teach an ENACT course in challenging political environments, how to empower students, and how to work with community partners. They were joined by special guests including Massachusetts State Senator Becca Rausch ’01.

An Italian Adventure and Linguistic Insights

Professor Curi recently embarked on her first trip to Italy, and her journey took an interesting linguistic turn. While in Montepulciano, approximately two hours north of Rome, she discovered "Studio Legale." In the world of law, the titles for female lawyers in Italian remain a subject of debate. In Italian, only a male lawyer is called an "avvocato." However, what to call a female lawyer with the same credentials is a matter of linguistic inquiry. Possibilities include "avvocata," "avvocatessa," "avvocato donna," or "donna avvocato." The question of what lawyers are called when they do not use masculine or feminine pronouns remains open. Professor Curi's observations offer a fascinating glimpse into language and legal culture.

ENACT Educate and Advocate Grants

ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation is pleased to announce a grant opportunity for Brandeis University undergraduate students. These grants are designed to provide support for student-organized events that focus on educating our community and advocating for positive change on important current public policy issues, such as healthcare equity, reproductive justice, immigration reform, criminal justice, voting rights, and a multitude of other concerns.

The ENACT Educate and Advocate Grants will provide up to $1,000 to support events planned for the 2023-24 academic year. Applications will be accepted until 9:00 pm ET on October 4, 2023 for the fall deadline and February 12, 2024 for the spring deadline. Recipients will be notified soon after the deadlines.

If you have any questions, please email Melissa Stimell, ENACT Director at [email protected]

Jane Kahn '77 Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Proposals Due by November 21, 2023

Fellowship funds up to two students $2,500 each for research on current and emerging issues in criminal justice reform including the rights of individuals with mental illness, disability, and socio-psychological factors frequently associated with incarceration.

Interested students should submit proposals to the Legal Studies Program by emailing Melissa McKenna, Program Administrator at [email protected] by November 21, 2023.  Faculty in the Legal Studies Program will evaluate submissions and select up to 2 successful candidates. The awardees will be announced in late December, 2023. Additional information is available on the Legal Studies Program website.

Brandeis Pre-Law Society is Back!



The Brandeis Pre-Law Society is back and better than ever for the 2023-2024 academic year! If you're passionate about pursuing a career in law, this is your chance to connect with like-minded peers, delve into the law school application process, and gain access to exclusive events, panels, and trips. Join to be a member on campus groups to meet professionals in the field, expand your horizons, and embark on your legal journey.

Brandeis Law Journal

Publish a one of a kind law journal, showcasing Brandeis academic excellence. Brandies Law Journal solicit, edit, and publish the work of Brandeis students. Their articles cover a diverse array of topics with a shared grounding in law and law-related material. The Brandeis University Law Journal is run by and focused on undergraduates. They produce original, rigorously researched papers on a variety of legal topics!

"We're Here to Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong" by Diane Dimond

"We're Here to Help" is a compelling exposé on the largely unregulated and misunderstood state-run guardianship system in the United States, shedding light on its detrimental effects and the rise of financially motivated predators within it. Drawing attention to the case of Britney Spears, the book reveals how individuals placed under court control lose their civil rights, with an estimated 1.5 to 2 million Americans affected, and no proper oversight. Originally designed to protect vulnerable citizens, the guardianship system now often leads to financial devastation for wards, as billions of dollars fall under the control of court appointees. Investigative journalist Diane Dimond uncovers the alarming prevalence of exploitative and abusive cases, making a compelling case for urgent attention to this critical issue and providing insights on how to avoid the risks of involuntary guardianship.

"The Common Flaw: Needless Complexity in the Courts and 50 Ways to Reduce it" by Thomas G. Moukawsher

"The Common Flaw; Needless Complexity in the Courts and 50 Ways to Reduce it" offers a groundbreaking perspective on streamlining the legal system to increase public confidence in the legal process. Authored by Judge Thomas Moukawsher, this book promises to revolutionize the way we perceive and navigate the complexities of the legal world. For a sneak preview of the book's thought-provoking ideas, be sure to tune in to the ABA podcast featuring Judge Moukawsher. Prepare to embark on a transformative journey aimed at simplifying legal proceedings and improving efficiency in the realm of law.

Sophia Koolpe is a senior from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is majoring in Health: Science, Society, and Policy and minoring in Legal Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She is passionate about understanding the intersection of public health and law, and how legal remedies can empower and achieve greater health outcomes for communities. Last spring, she interned at MLP Boston, a medical-legal partnership which equipped care teams with legal related tools that address social determinants of health. In her free time, Sophia volunteers at CareOne, a skilled nursing facility, and is a communication director for Brandeis' Partners in Health Engage club. She also plays guitar and has a love for classic punk rock music!

Sophia is excited to be a Legal Studies UDR and is happy to be a liaison between students and the legal studies department!

Jacqueline (Yiyu) Lan is a senior from Guangzhou, China, majoring in Economics, International and Global Studies, and minoring in legal studies. She interned at the Virtual Court Service Center under the Massachusetts Trial Court last year through the Legal Studies Internship class. She was also an orientation leader and a global fellow. She joined the Brandeis Mock Trial Association two years ago and is looking forward to providing more detailed information about the club to anyone interested. She enjoys taking legal studies classes and also, is familiar with some of the cross-listed classes of both the Economics and the IGS department. Jacqueline is very excited to be a Legal Studies UDR and is more than willing to answer any potential questions related to the department :)