All posts filed under: Student Commentary

Then & Now: Immigration Legal Advocacy at the Mexico-U.S. Border

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Part one of a two-part post on the changing asylum landscape under the new administration. The Biden administration has signaled its intention to repair the U.S. asylum system. As law students who worked directly with asylum-seeking families, this is welcomed news. Over the last four years, the Trump administration intentionally increased the hardships that asylum seekers face. It adapted harsh, inhumane immigration policies with the express goal of deterring people from seeking asylum in the U.S. One such policy was the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” program. This policy treated displaced persons, including women, infant children, and the elderly, as dangerous adversaries that the country must defend itself against, and it caused widespread and profound human suffering at the U.S.-Mexico border. MPP is a Trump-era policy enacted in January 2019 which, for the first time, required asylum seekers to wait for their asylum hearings outside the United States at the U.S.-Mexico border. This policy impacted tens of thousands of asylum seekers. They were forced to build makeshift refugee camps …

Temple Law’s Integrated Trial Advocacy Program

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Temple Law School is nationally recognized as a leader in trial advocacy and Temple Law graduates are reputed to be excellent trial lawyers.  Temple’s Integrated Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP) is a big reason why. Recently, ITAP classes have been looking a little bit different as students learn how to conduct trials over Zoom and other platforms. What has stayed the same, however, is the immersive and unique experience. ITAP is a two-semester-long block of classes that Temple students can take during their second year. The program is set up as a mix of doctrinal/fundamental classes and practical/experiential classes. The first semester classes consist of evidence, trial advocacy I, and a lecture class that covers many aspects of litigation. The second semester classes are civil procedure II, trial advocacy II, and a continuation of the lecture classes. The classes are designed so that each week you will learn the theory in one class, and you will put it into practice in the other. For example, you would learn how to introduce medical records in court during …

Center for Compliance and Ethics Summer Fellowship | Student Perspectives

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This past summer, three Temple Law students completed the Center for Compliance and Ethics Summer Fellowship. They shared their experiences here: Zoey Binder LAW ’22 This past summer I was a Compliance, Privacy & Legal intern at Novocure, a medical device company, based out of their Malvern, PA office. My interviews were scheduled in person the week that the Philadelphia area began to shut down but Novocure quickly pivoted and my interviews were seamlessly conducted virtually. Right from these discussions, I felt everyone’s passion for their jobs and collaborative spirit which led me to accepting their offer. My start date was scheduled for May but ultimately had to be pushed back as I was stuck outside of the country but that presented no issues as everyone was very accommodating to my circumstances. Once I began (remotely), I was immediately introduced to an array of assignments from the compliance, legal and brand departments. Everyone was welcoming and approachable from the start. I was able to use my skill set on the policy work that I was …

Federal Appellate Litigation Clinic | A Student Experience

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Representing an indigent immigrant in a deportation appeal before the Third Circuit was the absolute highlight of my three years at Temple Law. As I prepare to begin my legal career, I am incredibly grateful to have learned the following: What Legal Teamwork Looks Like: As law students, we are used to writing our papers and taking our exams independently. Collaborating with Professor Levy and Professor Epstein taught me what it means to be part of a legal team. I learned how lawyers divide different tasks and support each other’s research and writing. This experience further showed me how to respectfully navigate differences. While we all shared the common goal of obtaining relief for our client, there were often varying opinions about the best way to get there. Professor Levy and Professor Epstein taught me how to let the client’s best interests drive the discussions and decisions about the right course of action to pursue. How to Prepare for an Appellate Argument: One of the most crucial lessons I learned from Professor Levy and Professor …

The Temple Law Racial Justice Working Group | Student Experience

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The Racial Justice Working Group was convened in response to the national uprising over police brutality and systemic racism. During the summer of 2020, the group, which included students, staff, and faculty, advised Dean Gregory Mandel on actions the law school can take in the short, medium, and long terms to address racial inequities within the law school community, our wider geographic communities, and the legal profession itself. Some of the law students participating in the group explain what that work means to them and their future careers. Terence Jones LAW ’21 I have gone to predominantly white private schools from third grade all the way through college. For me, this brought the unfortunate responsibility of educating my peers, faculty, and administration. I was regularly asked to speak about my experience as a black man receiving an education that did not have people like me in mind when it was created and how it can be made better now that people like me are here. I have always seen myself as a leader and an …

Japan Study Abroad – The Best Study Abroad Experience

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My time at Temple University Japan was unforgettable. Even though half the semester was conducted online, the quality of classes was not diminished. The staff and professors almost seamlessly transitioned classes to distance learning, and they were there for the students at every corner to help where they could. During the time spent in-person at TUJ, I was incredibly impressed by the facilities, resources available to the students, and the quality of professors and education offered. It was obvious that the professors were passionate about the students and the subjects they were teaching. There wasn’t a question or issue that the staff couldn’t help you solve. It was very comforting to have such a solid lifeline while living abroad as a student. The class schedule was great, and the 3-day weekends left plenty of time to explore the country, people, and culture. TUJ was absolutely the best study abroad experience I’ve ever had because of the quality and care put into their curriculum.

An Unofficial Overview of Temple Law’s Competitive Offerings

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Introduction Being on a law review, moot court, or trial team gives students valuable advocacy practice and looks great on a resume, however competition can be fierce. Thankfully, Temple has numerous opportunities to participate in these prestigious offerings. With five moot court teams, two law reviews, a trial team, and a patent drafting competition, there are many options for students to choose from. Academic credit is provided for participation. Note that all of these are subject to change, and Temple may not participate in all competitions every year. Where to begin? Read all about them below! Law Reviews Temple has two law reviews: The Temple Law Review and Temple’s International and Comparative Law Journal. The Temple Law Review was founded in 1927. It is a student-edited, quarterly journal dedicated to providing a forum for the expression of new legal thought and scholarly commentary on important developments, trends, and issues in the law. Students must compete in the write-on competition to be considered for membership. This competition usually takes place about a week after spring finals. …

Studying for my LL.M. at Temple Law School Japan

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I came to Temple University, Japan (TUJ) with no defined plan for the future. I had just finished a study-abroad year in Bristol, England, did not want to go back to my home country of France and wanted to become even more internationally minded . Studying for my LL.M. at Temple University, Japan was perfect for this! I was able to study both American and international law and discover a new culture. Studying at TUJ, interacting with the teachers and the legal community there allowed me to find several internships and the area of law I wanted to specialize in. I took part in an arbitration class offered by TUJ and decided that this was what I wanted to pursue, which led me to relocate to Seoul. Thanks to the TUJ staff and professors, I was able to receive great legal education, pass the California Bar, while at the same time enjoy and discover Japan!

Spring Semester in Japan – Experience It for Yourself

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Hi, my name is Christina Snyder. I graduated from the Fox School of Business at Temple University in 2013, the Beasley School of Law at Temple in 2018 and I am currently pursuing my Tax LLM at Temple Law. Safe to say I love Temple and Philadelphia. However, during my spring 2018 semester I found a new love, Japan. I had the opportunity to participate in the Temple Law School Study Abroad program at their Temple University Japan campus for my last semester of law school. Although nervous about living in a foreign country with a very different language and culture the staff at Temple Law School (both campuses) assured me everything would go great and boy, were they right. Although I was there to study I had the time of my life. Education didn’t happen just in the classroom. Most of the classes are held one day a week in the evenings. This left plenty of time for traveling, exploring and eating. The law program arranged a number of group trips including a sumo …

Japan Study Abroad – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

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My semester at Temple University Law School’s Japan campus was by far the best experience I had during my time in law school. TUJ’s study abroad program provided me with unique access to an extraordinary city, internship opportunities and courses taught by locally-practicing attorneys, and lifelong friendships. Tokyo is an incredibly beautiful and accessible city (walkable with an extremely efficient metro system). On weekends I explored different areas of the city which had a seemingly unending assortment of entertainment, cuisine, views, and cultural landmarks. During spring break, I flew with a classmate to Niseko, Hokkaido, where we spent the week skiing before exploring the famous seafood scene in Sapporo. I cannot overemphasize how friendly and helpful the locals were during my stay. The owner of my hostel in Niseko even gave me a hand-written thank you letter the day I moved out! The staff at TUJ clearly cared about each student participating in the spring program. From the day I began my initial application last July through the end of my semester in Japan and …