Month: November 2024

Native American Heritage Day: Honoring Culture While Countering Consumerism on “Black Friday”

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The Friday after Thanksgiving is National Native American Heritage Day. Barely recognized or even acknowledged, the National Native American Heritage Day Act was signed into law in 2008, by which President Obama encouraged:

 …every American to join me in observing Native American Heritage Day … It is also important for all of us to understand the rich culture, tradition, and history of Native Americans and their status today, and to appreciate the contributions that First Americans have made and will continue to make to our Nation.

The Friday after Thanksgiving is more commonly referred to as “Black Friday“.  Some have criticized this coincidence, as it links a day dedicated to celebrating Native peoples and culture with the start of the holiday shopping season.

To counter the consumerism associated with Black Friday, consider reflecting on the true meaning of  this day by exploring the digital exhibits of the National Museum of the American Indian, or taking the opportunity to learn about the land you live on.

An intriguing tool is the Native Land interactive map. By entering your address, you can discover which Indigenous Peoples once inhabited the area. The map’s creators aim to foster conversation and raise awareness of Indigenous history and the diverse cultures of Native Peoples.

Below is the result from entering in the address for UConn Law Library, 39 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, Ct.:

The land on which UConn Law School and Library sits is home to a number of Indigenous nations, including the Poquonook, Sicaog (Saukiog), Wangunks, and Tunxis.

 

There was little information about Native American Heritage Day- in fact, I didn’t even know it was a “thing”. Let’s take a moment both during and after Thanksgiving to honor the contributions of the Indigenous Peoples on whose land we now work and live.

 

 

Honor Bound: Coming out in the Military – Alum’s Collection Featured in New Exhibit.

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The year was 1987. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) was prominent in the news and Joseph Steffan had just admitted to two of his classmates he believed he was homosexual. At the time, Steffan was six weeks away from graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, a service academy where gaining admission and persevering through grueling academics and military indoctrination was a significant accomplishment in itself.

Once leadership found out, his dreams of being in the Navy and serving his country were shattered. He was forced to resign or face unsettling consequences and career difficulties. He resigned, but almost immediately reconsidered and sued to be reinstated so he could graduate from the Academy. With assistance from the LAMBDA Legal Defense Fund, he sued the Department of Defense. The DOD won the lawsuit, but a panel of judges ordered him reinstated. Later, in 1994, the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld his dismissal. Steffan was one of many servicemembers who over the years would also fight the injustice of not being allowed to serve because of their sexual orientation.

In 2000, Joseph Steffan (UConn Law ‘94) donated his personal papers, correspondence and legal files related to his lawsuit to the Law School. These papers provide an in-depth look at the legal research and strategy conducted by his team. Using original materials from the collection, the exhibit depicts his story from acceptance into the Academy, forced resignation and the long legal process to allow him to graduate from the Academy.

Book Jacket for Honor Bound by Joseph Steffan
Joseph Steffan’s memoir: Honor Bound: A Gay American Fights for the Right to Serve His Country

Of interest in the collection were the many letters written to Steffan during the years long process from people all over the world, most who he had never met, in support of Steffan and his fight but also sympathetic because they too had been discriminated against because they were homosexual, or had to hide who they were in order to keep their positions. Many were also in the military.

Stop by UConn Law Library and check out this thought provoking exhibit.

 

Flyer detailing Honor Bound exhibit at UConn Law.

 

 

Law Students Who Serve- Reflections on Veteran’s Day

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In honor of Veterans Day, UConn Law highlights the stories of Andrew McCotter and Steven Jellen, of UConn Law student group VALOR (Veterans and Armed Forces Legal Out Reach). Balancing both military service and law studies, they talk about their military commitment and involvement in VALOR along the school’s growing community of veterans and service members. Students who serve are inspiring and possess leadership skills, discipline and dedication to service that enhance the UConn Law community.

McCotter is President of VALOR and a member of the United States Marine Corps who aspires to work with the U.S. Attorney’s office.  Jellen is Vice President of VALOR and currently serving as a Medical Platoon Leader in the Connecticut Army National Guard, he was also a Paralegal at a Veterans Disability Law firm before coming to UConn Law.

McCotter reflected on how his military experience has influenced his law school career:

As President of VALOR, (Veterans & Armed Forces Legal Outreach Society), I am proud to say that being a member of the United States Marine Corps has profoundly shaped my perspective and prepared me for law school. The discipline, resilience, and commitment to service instilled in the Marines have been invaluable in the rigorous environment of law school.
UConn Law Student Andrew J. McCotter, Second Lieutenant, United State Marine Corps
The ability to manage time efficiently, handle stress, and take the initiative have transferred seamlessly. My decision to apply to law school stemmed from a desire to continue serving in a different capacity.
While the transition from the military to law school can be tricky, UConn’s Vet Center has made the process easy, giving me the info and tools needed to get the most from the benefits available. Balancing law school and the Marine Reserves is challenging, but I find it to be manageable and extremely rewarding.
VALOR has allowed myself and others at UConn Law to support the veteran community and military families through pro bono legal work and advocacy by partnering with outstanding Non-Profits such as the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center. I intend to carry the values of the military into my legal career, hopefully finding work as a U.S Attorney. The Marine Corps has not only prepared me for the challenges of law school but has also given me a sense of purpose that I will carry into my legal career.

 

Jellen talked about his journey to law school and his experience balancing active duty service with his studies.

Serving my country and my Soldiers has been the most challenging, yet rewarding, thing I have ever done. Everyone who has served our nation has faced—and has ultimately overcome—many challenges that seem daunting and even impossible at first. It was this process of consistently proving myself wrong by overcoming these obstacles that gave me the confidence that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.
UConn Law Student Steven Jellen, Connecticut Army National Guard
After graduating Basic Officer Leader Course in early 2023, I knew that I wanted to continue challenging myself and hopefully make a lasting difference in people’s lives. This is what pushed me to start studying for the LSATs and applying to law schools.
Although juggling both law school and National Guard obligations has been difficult at times, my past military experiences have shown me that anything is possible if you put the work in. Plus, the Connecticut National Guard covers all of my tuition here, which is a big help.
If you are a Veteran or current Service Member thinking about coming to UConn Law, I would highly recommend it! VALOR and the school as a whole will welcome you with open arms.

VALOR

UConn Law’s VALOR (Veterans and Armed Forces Legal Out Reach) Society promotes scholarly discussion of law regarding Veteran and Military related topics; and builds social ties between interested students, the law school, and the local community to promote professional development.

Members of VALOR’s E-board and 1L reps at The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center annual “Salute to Service” Gala. Featured guest speakers included Senator Blumenthal, and Marine Infantry Platoon Commander, and Wall Street Journal Report Ben Kesling.

 

VALOR’s October 31st meeting featuring Alison Weir, director of The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center. Alison lead a discussion on the issues facing veterans in the CT Community.

 

VALOR’s October 31st Meeting

Veterans make it possible to express our thoughts and emotions freely, have meaningful debates on vital issues, strive for positive change, and exercise our rights as Americans. Please take a moment to thank all of our UConn Law active duty members, veterans and their families for their service and support!

Supporting Military Families: Overcoming Employment Barriers

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As a new law school graduate (and military spouse) in 1992, I had the option to "throw the dice" and pick a state to take the bar in (Mississippi? California? Florida? Virgina? All were contenders) while dealing with costly fees for bar registration in a state I didn't even know I would live in.

With a husband in flight training who was months away from any permanent duty station due to training delays, our permanent "home" announcement was months away.   After weathering several deployments and moves, funds ran low, we had a family on the way and I scrapped my dream of becoming a licensed attorney.

Prior to 2012, there was no assistance for military spouse attorneys in any state when they transferred across state lines. This led to many spouses deciding to not take the bar exam, endure family separations in order to stay employed, or choose to move with their spouse and endure underemployment due to licensing red tape.  In 2017, Connecticut enacted a rule reducing barriers to practice for military spouse attorneys, thus paving the way for career opportunities for attorneys who are military spouses.   

Other professions still lag behind or are caught in a vortex of state regulations. For spouses in professions requiring state-specific licenses—such as teaching, real estate, healthcare, or law—the need to re-certify or meet different state requirements can be both costly and time-consuming.  Navigating the time consuming and costly process can be discouraging to military spouses, who rely on employment and are often times single parents to boot.

In my attempt to find employment in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area, I was once told by a prospective employer that they could pay military spouses far less simply because they were a "captive audience". This issue not only delays their ability to enter the workforce after a move but can also discourage some from pursuing their careers altogether.

As President Biden has also noted, it's the military families that make it possible for those to do their job, "While our veterans are the steel spine of this Nation, their families are the courageous heart — they also serve and sacrifice so much for our country." 

In 2022, President Biden issued the Executive Order on Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors  which called for most comprehensive set of administrative actions in our Nation’s history to support the economic security of military and veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors.  There is still much work to working to be done to better support military and veteran families on everything from making school transitions easier for military children to expanding economic opportunities and improving well-being for military spouses, caregivers, and survivors. 

The UConn Law Library, along with UConn students, faculty, and staff, thanks all of our veterans and their families for their courageous service.

After the Votes: Election Outcomes and Legal Challenges

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As election season unfolds, the aftermath often brings its own set of challenges, particularly concerning the validity of the results. Challenges to election results can arise for various reasons—ranging from allegations of voter fraud to disputes over the counting process. We’ve gathered some resources that summarize and explore the legal framework surrounding election result challenges and their implications.   There are a number of open access resources to help with your research questions. 

Case Tracker

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law  tracks pending and resolved election cases from across the country. You can browse a list of cases, search by case name, or filter by jurisdiction and topic. This resource provides case summaries and court filings.

50 State Surveys

The National Conference of State Legislatures has assembled state laws from across the country on topics including absentee voting, voter ID requirements, felon voting rights, election recounts, poll watching, and the Electoral College. For some of these topics, the laws are synthesized and displayed in tables and infographics that allow for easy browsing and comparing.

U.S. Voting Laws & Legislation Center

A free, publicly accessible tool for locating U.S. federal and state voting and election law and for tracking proposed legislation on the topic. This voting law tool is provided by the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation to provide citizens with free access to the most comprehensive collection of US voting laws, and legislative developments.

HeinOnline Database (UConn Law Students, Faculty and Staff)

HeinOnline Voting Rights & Election Law
Browse and search through a collection of thousands of subject-coded titles that illustrate the nuances and complexities of elections and voting systems—the lifeblood of democracy—both in America and across the globe.

For additional insight, check out the UConn Law library display and make sure you get out there and vote!!!