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Voting for Social Change
We’re excited to work with civil and human rights attorney, Nora Benavidez, again this semester with a unique opportunity for students to work alongside a passionate and values driven lawyer. Throughout the class, students will learn about voter ID laws, voter registration deadlines, the history of the right to vote, and why our vote can help carry social change. it’s a living class, if you will, inspired to build off the work that happened in last year’s Civil Rights Law class, with relevant content and action geared towards preparing for the 2018 midterm elections.
The program will include student action around registering voters, connecting with local organizations on the ground, and partnering with individuals and coalitions working for social change who are running for office and managing campaigns.
Start Date
January 31st
Week-days
Wednesdays from 4:30pm – 5:45pm
Program Length
8 Weeks
Session Dates
1/31
2/7
2/14
2/21
2/28
3/7
3/14
3/21
Project Trip TBD
Exhibition: 5/23
Min/Max Students
6-12
Pricing
$135 (Scholarships available for qualified students)
Instructor
Nora Benavidez is a litigator who specializes in civil rights and criminal defense, from consultations through appeals. From advocating for clients facing misdemeanor or felony charges to defending against constitutional violations that individuals may face, Nora Benavidez is a tireless and zealous believer in equal rights for all and she has developed a practice to help provide broader access to justice for her clients.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Nora draws on years of previous legal experience. Most recently, Nora worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, where she managed the office’s constitutional litigation and legal caseload. While at the ACLU of Georgia, she also supported the office’s legislative advocacy program, working with partner coalitions, organizations and elected officials on issues related to the ACLU civil rights and liberties agenda, such as criminal justice reform, voting rights, reproductive freedom, juvenile justice in schools, and privacy/freedom of speech rights.
Nora has also worked with the Georgia Office of the Attorney General, where she helped prosecute white collar and public official crimes in the Special Prosecutions Unit. She investigated bankruptcy cases as a clerk with the Department of Justice’s Office of the U.S. Trustee. Beyond Georgia, Nora worked in 2012 on the California Supreme Court precedent-setting People v. Caballero: through her criminal appellate work with the Law Offices of Kosnett & Durchfort, she helped effectively set California state precedent that further protected the rights of juveniles regarding their criminal sentences.