AccessiBULL Justice: Spotlighting UB Law’s Podcast Series
Published August 31, 2021
For four decades and counting, the University at Buffalo School of Law’s student attorneys and faculty in the clinics have provided access to legal justice for people and organizations who need help. In an extension of that goal, the AccessiBULL Justice podcast was born!
Founded in 2021, the podcast series covers a variety of diverse and insightful subjects, touching on many areas serviced by the law clinics, but also covering topical subjects in the world of law. Before we dive into a few of the highlights published thus far, let’s meet the host.
The Host and Guests
The AccessiBULL Justice podcast is spearheaded by Professor Kim Diana Connolly, who is also Vice Dean for Advocacy and Experiential Education, and the Director of Clinical Legal Education. Her guests on the series’ first season have included the likes of former Dean Nils Olsen, members of the Niagara River Ramsar Designation Steering Committee, as well as the current and first woman Dean at UB law, Aviva Abramovsky.
Highlights from Season 1
Discussions throughout the first series of the AccessiBULL Justice podcast have covered the history of UB Law clinics, the e-Law center, and an in-depth look at the university's commitment to accessible justice with Dean Aviva Abramovsky. In that episode, Dean Abramovsky and Vice Dean Kim Diana Connolly discuss the School of Law's commitment to making justice accessible through the experiential clinical programs, pro bono initiatives and the School of Law's call to respond to important legal issues with #UBLawResponds.
“In order to have a fair administration of justice, we need people to advocate for others and those people are called lawyers,” said Dean Abramovsky, near the start of the discussion. “It’s through good advocacy and representation that we become a more just society. Many of our society’s higher ideals and ambitions can’t be realized without the ability to have representation that can provide a just outcome to an issue.”
Dean Abramovsky’s vision was a key driver behind the #UBLawResponds initiative that came about after Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. The hashtag and accompanying devotion from students, faculty and the law school at large helped raise money to make a trip possible for UB students to assist recovery efforts. But the goodwill did not stop there. The initiative also helped bring about the Puerto Rico Recovery Assistance Legal Clinic.
Pro Bono Work
As #UBLawResponds grew and expanded its reach, the clinics continued to create opportunities for students to give back, donating their time and expertise to those deserving of help. How invested are the students? The class of 2020 provided 20,933 hours of pro bono justice work, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discover Law
Another avenue where the law school helps diversify and expand the reach of law is through the Discover Law program, an immersive summer program for promising underrepresented students. The four-week provides students an opportunity to learn more about the legal system and make the choice about potentially becoming a lawyer. Students get the chance to work on critical thinking, writing and oral advocacy skills, as well as preparation for the LSAT. While all students are welcome to apply, preference is given to students of color and first-generation college students.
The great work of UB Law’s Clinics continues to thrive and will be discussed in a variety of new topics when season two of AccessiBULL Justice launches this school year. We look forward to having you as a listener!
