Attorney General

National Attorney General
Ashlyn Shockley
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
ag@nblsa.org

Warmest greetings NBLSA members,

I am honored to serve as your National Attorney General for the 2010-2011 term. This year's programming will assist members by increasing access to the courts in their respective communities, promoting legislative efforts and enabling chapters to become more involved in the legislative process, and allowing students to demonstrate their talents in legal researching, analysis, and writing.

There are numerous ways in which NBLSA members can further NBLSA's legacy of empowerment in judicial and legislative advocacy:

Amicus Curiae Program

The Amicus Curiae Program will enable NBLSA students to empower communities by drafting and submitting amicus curiae briefs in support of judicial decisions affecting the black community. The first brief, Friendly House v. Whiting, was filed June 21, 2010 by Covington & Burling LLP on behalf of NBLSA and 37 additional amici. NBLSA students with extensive experience in researching and drafting appellate briefs are encouraged to contact the National Attorney General about assisting with the Amicus Curiae program.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference (CBCF ALC)

This Annual Legislative Conference, sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, enables NBLSA students to empower communities by participating in panels and discussions about issues concerning the black community and network with individuals in the legal and political communities.

This year's CBCF ALC program will include a Judiciary Issues Forum co-sponsored by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and NBLSA, a networking reception with the Black Professional Network DC, and the Seventh Annual CBC Reception at Reed Smith LLP featuring Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), and Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA). For additional information on CBCF ALC, please click here.

Lobby Day

NBLSA's annual Lobby Day provides NBLSA students with an opportunity to inform legislators about reforms needed in minority communities. In 2011, students will encourage members of Congress to support the Democracy Restoration Act and advocate for immigration reform. If you are interested in participating in Lobby Day, February 16-17, 2011, please contact the National Attorney General.

Legislative Tracking System

The NBLSA legislative tracking system will be used to keep NBLSA students updated on legislation pertaining to the two National AG initiatives and the six Regional AG initiatives as well as legislation sponsored by members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

• National AG Initiatives: Felony Disenfranchisement & Immigration Reform
• MWBLSA AG Initiative: African Immigration
• SRBLSA AG Initiative: Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention
• NEBLSA AG Initiative: Haitian Immigration
• WRBLSA AG Initiative: Youth in Foster Care
• MABLSA AG Initiative: Juvenile Sentencing
• RMBLSA AG Initiative: Education Reform

Kids in the House Program

The Kids in the House Program educates students of various ages about the state and federal legislature. This program can be executed as a one-day event or throughout the year. Local chapters can encourage future participation in the legislative process by engaging students in a letter-writing campaign based on the regional AG initiative, planning a visit to the state legislature, or forming a Legislative Youth Advisory Council. Kids in the House lesson plans can be obtained at http://kids.clerk.house.gov/.

A complete list of the legislation supported by the Attorney Generals in 2010-2011, may be found here.

In addition, the Regional Attorney General programs provide NBLSA members with the opportunity to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), inform the community about disparities in law enforcement and criminal justice, or advocate on behalf of immigrant communities.

If you have questions about the Attorney General program or recommendations for improving NBLSA's judicial or legislative advocacy, please contact a member of the Attorney General team.