2005 Stories
Ann O’Leary ’05 Wins 2005 Sax Prize for Excellence in Clinical Advocacy
.jpg) Ann O’Leary ’05 (left) is the recipient of the 2005 Brian M. Sax Prize and Nasrina Bargzie ’05 received an honorable mention award at this year’s ceremony. (Photo credit: Christine Jegan) |
Ann O’Leary ’05 is the winner of the 2005 Brian M. Sax Prize for Excellence in Clinical Advocacy. Under the supervision of Edward Barnes, O’Leary has worked for the last four semesters at the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC), Boalt’s community-based poverty law clinic. O’Leary was recognized for her exceptional advocacy at EBCLC, where she transformed a case on behalf of a single client on welfare into a legislative effort that will benefit thousands of welfare recipients throughout the state.
On April 26, AB 503, sponsored by Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View), passed out of the Assembly Committee on Human Services. The CalWORKs Bill of Rights seeks to relax a 60-month time limit on welfare assistance. It stems from the case in which an Oakland woman discovered she was no longer eligible for aid after she was laid off from a minimum wage job and was diagnosed with diabetes. The bill is expected to move to the Assembly Appropriations Committee at the end of May.
Honorable mention was awarded to clinic student Nasrina Bargzie ’05 for her work this year under the supervision of Professor Laurel Fletcher in the International Human Rights Clinic. Bargzie performed outstanding work in drafting state legislation to combat human trafficking as well as an amicus brief on the international right to education.
The recipients were recognized at the Sax Prize luncheon honoring all clinic students on Monday, April 18. The Sax Prize is given annually to a graduating clinic student who has demonstrated excellence in advocacy, sound professional judgment and reflection on the lawyer’s role. The award was established in memory of Boalt Hall lecturer Brian M. Sax ’69.
(4/28/05)