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CSLS Visiting Scholars Speaker Series: ”Balancing Law and Organizational Demands: The Role of Lawyers in Public Bureaucracies” & “Deporting Disability: Insights from Immigrant Defense Attorneys”
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
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Ayako Hirata
“Balancing Law and Organizational Demands: The Role of Lawyers in Public Bureaucracies”
This presentation explores the pivotal role of government lawyers in shaping public policy and interpreting the law, with a particular focus on local government attorneys. While lawyers have long been recognized as key players in influencing the law, there is a notable gap in the literature examining the contributions of lawyers within government, especially at the local level. By drawing on interviews with city attorneys from Japan and the U.S., this study provides a U.S.Japan comparative analysis of how government lawyers navigate the structural, cultural, and political landscapes of their respective countries. Despite the differences in legal frameworks, this comparison reveals essential aspects of government lawyers’ roles, responsibilities, and challenges in democratic societies. The presentation will highlight the ways in which these attorneys balance their legal duties with organizational demands, ultimately shedding light on their unique influence within public bureaucracies.
Tania Valdez
Noncitizens facing deportation from the United States generally are not entitled to legal representation at the expense of the government. A limited exception that has existed only for the past decade is the appointment of counsel to noncitizens who (1) are detained, and (2) have been deemed legally incompetent—a high standard to meet—by an immigration judge. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice created the National Qualified Representative Program (NQRP), which appoints designated lawyers to represent detained immigrants in immigration court. This study involves interviews of attorneys who have accepted cases through the NQRP, reflecting these attorneys’ unique perspective regarding the impact of immigration enforcement on a legally vulnerable population. Although this research is in the beginning stages, the analysis so far reveals insights into the interplay between criminal and immigration enforcement, the deeply entrenched ableism in the immigration laws and agencies, and the creative and client-centered advocacy of NQRP attorneys.
– Ayako Hirata: 3:30-4:15p.m.
Events are wheelchair accessible. For disability-related accommodations, contact the organizer of the event. Advance notice is kindly requested.
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