First Monday - January 2, 2006

In this issue:

• Symposia Bring Scholars, Policy-Makers and Practitioners to Idaho
• Clinic Adds Training for Students, Assistance for Victims, in Domestic Violence Cases

Symposia Bring Scholars, Policy-Makers and Practitioners to Idaho

Through the collaborative efforts of law faculty and students, Idaho is becoming a place of destination for participants in a diverse array of symposia.

• In the fall of 2005 the College of Law organized and hosted the annual “Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims," held in Moscow in conjunction with the Western States Water Council and the Native American Rights Fund. The event attracted a large and diverse audience of tribal leaders, state and federal regulators, practicing lawyers, and academics from 14 states plus the District of Columbia. UI law students also participated. Professor Barbara Cosens was the principal organizer and the keynote speaker. Further information is available from Professor Cosens at bcosens@uidaho.edu.
• On March 16-18, 2006, the College will host the Fourth Annual University of Idaho International Law Symposium at Coeur d’Alene. The symposium will continue the tradition of bringing together a select group of international law scholars for an intimate and collegial exchange around a topic of international law relevant to Idaho. International interest in these symposia is evidenced by the fact that Cambridge University Press agreed to publish the 2003 symposium papers on transboundary environmental harms; the Michigan State Journal of International Law contracted to publish the 2004 papers on post-conflict justice; and the Martinus Nijhoff publishing house (Boston and Leiden, The Netherlands), has agreed to publish the 2005 papers on legal frameworks of international organization. The 2006 topic will be the status and rights of indigenous peoples under international law, including human rights law. One goal for the symposium will be to explore the experiences and interests that Idaho’s Native American populations share in common with indigenous peoples around the world.
• Student editors of the Idaho Law Review have developed their own symposium series, in which scholarly papers are submitted for publication in a special issue of the law review, and selected authors make presentations in a continuing legal/professional education program. Past topics have included legal ethics, biodiversity, First Amendment law, and public education law. This year’s program, tentatively planned for April 14, 2006, in Boise, will focus on the growing “community justice” movement. Topics will include community supervision as an alternative to confinement, community-oriented policing, Navajo peacemaking techniques, and the operation of specialized drug courts. Further information may be obtained from 3L student Ritchie Eppink (eppi0937@uidaho.edu), managing editor of the 2006 symposium edition of the law review.

Clinic Adds Training for Students, Assistance for Victims, in Domestic Violence Cases

Enriching the diversity of skills training available to UI law students, the College of Law Legal Aid Clinic in 2006 will provide services in domestic violence cases. The clinic has received a funding commitment (potentially renewable annually), from a consortium of public agencies, to increase the legal services available to persons traumatized by domestic violence. This grant follows the receipt of a separate, three-year grant, announced in an earlier “First Monday” newsletter, from the National Crime Victims’ Law Institute and the U.S. Department of Justice, to provide assistance to victims of violent crimes in north-central Idaho state court proceedings. Further information on both of these clinic initiatives is available from Professor Pat Costello at costello@uidaho.edu.