Legal Network
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Legal Network?
The Legal Network is a national network of volunteer lawyers, law students, law professors, judges, and paralegals from throughout the United States. The broad aims of the Legal Network are to focus on the legal aspects of Amnesty International's campaigns and to work to end human rights violations, particularly those directed at lawyers and law students. In the past, Legal Network members have participated in letter-writing actions, organized seminars on international human rights law, and assisted with legal research projects.
Why Join the Legal Network?
Lawyers and other legal professionals work not only to uphold the law, but also to assist in its development to better protect human rights. However, in many circumstances, the efforts of lawyers to uphold human rights are met with intimidation, harassment, imprisonment, physical harm and even death. The Legal Network is a unique opportunity for lawyers, law students, law professors, judges and paralegals to become involved in the human rights movement by working to end human rights violations against those who uphold human rights.
Additionally, Legal Network members campaign for legal concerns of Amnesty International. When it comes to the legal aspects of specific cases or human rights issues, the voice of the legal community carries special credibility. Amnesty needs that credibility to campaign against human rights abuses. Lawyers and law students can provide specialist expertise within the Amnesty International movement. Furthermore, members of the Legal Network are in a unique position to educate other members of the legal community about human rights. Within a professional or an academic environment, a lawyer or law student concerned about human rights may feel isolated and uncertain about putting that concern into practice. Legal Network members support each other and others in the field who are interested in human rights.
How Can Lawyers and Other Legal Professionals Become Involved with the Legal Network?
Lawyers and other legal professionals can self-tailor their level of involvement with the Legal Network. As an individual Legal Network member, you can sign up to receive periodic legal/international justice action alerts and updates. Sign up for the Urgent Action Network to receive letter-writing actions concerning human rights violations against legal professionals and law students or other law-related human rights issues. Beyond being an individual Legal Network member, legal professionals can become more involved in the legal aspects of Amnesty's campaigns, educating other lawyers and non-lawyers, working with local and student Amnesty chapters, legislative work and lobbying, legal actions, and annual meetings. You can customize your level of commitment and involvement.
How Can Law Students Become Involved with the Legal Network?
There are a number of ways law students can become involved with the Legal Network. As with other legal professionals, law students may join the Legal Network as individual members (see above). In addition, there are programs specifically tailored to law students. If your law school has an Amnesty group, get involved. If there is no Amnesty group at your law school, establish one. To form an AI chapter at your law school, you will need to register using the general student chapter process.
As a student group, law students can receive regular actions and mailings from your Regional Office and join particular campaigns and programs designed specifically for the group setting. Many of these programs have legal components on which law students may wish to focus. Law student groups may also adopt a Prisoner of Conscience case (Action File). Action Files will allow your group to become the primary advocacy body for a jailed prisoner of conscience abroad. For more information, email us or visit our prisoners of conscience website.
What Is the Difference between a Legal Network Law School Group and Other Student Groups?
Law student groups will receive the same action opportunities as other Amnesty student groups. In addition, law student groups will receive special Legal Network actions and program opportunities with a particular legal focus.
How Does the Legal Network Function within AIUSA?
The AIUSA Legal Network is a part of the Networks Program based in Chicago. The goals and priorities of the Network are determined in consultation with a volunteer Steering Committee composed of several Legal Network members including law students, lawyers and other legal professionals reflecting an array of geographic and legal interests. Actions and projects for the Network are generated by the various programs within AIUSA, AI's main headquarters in London (the International Secretariat), or by Legal Network members themselves.
Does the Legal Network Offer Internships for Law Students?
The Legal Network does not offer any specific internships for law students; however, it is possible for students to set up projects through a clinical program at their respective law schools (see above: How can law students become involved with the Legal Network?). For other internship opportunities not directly involving the Legal Network, contact your regional office.
Are Legal Network members paid for their work with Amnesty?
The Legal Network is strictly a volunteer, membership-based program.
What else can lawyers and law students do for human rights?
See the Legal Network publication: "10 Things Lawyers Can Do for Human Rights" available online or in hard copy by contacting the Legal Network. Also see the Legal Network publication: "10 Things Law Students Can Do for Human Rights" available online or in hard copy by contacting the Legal Network.
Who Can I Contact to Learn More about the Legal Network?
For more information, send an email or letter by mail to: AIUSA’s Legal Network, 53 W Jackson Blvd, Suite 731, Chicago IL 60604-3507.
How Much is Membership in the Legal Network and How Do I Join?
Regular membership is $25 annually. Student membership is $15, but you can ask for a complete or partial waiver of that fee if you have a limited income. To join the Legal Network, send an email or contact: AIUSA Legal Network, 53 West Jackson Suite 731, Chicago IL 60604-3507.