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Higher education’s role in democracy
democracy class in washington

(Homepage image) In last spring’s How Washington Really Works seminar, guest speaker Liz Fowler (center) gives students her insider view on helping write the Affordable Care Act as George Mason Professor Steven Pearlstein, (left), and Penn Vice Provost for Global Initiatives Ezekiel Emanuel (right) listen.

Higher education’s role in democracy

Experts from across the University share their thoughts on how their research, departments, and centers help foster democracy.

Kristen de Groot

Affirmative action in higher ed
Students holding signs in favor of affirmative action in protest at Supreme Court.

People rally outside the Supreme Court as the court begins to hear oral arguments in two cases that could decide the future of affirmative action in college admissions on Oct. 31, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Image: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Affirmative action in higher ed

Cara McClellan of the Law School’s Advocacy for Racial and Civil Justice Clinic explains what’s at stake in the Supreme Court case over Harvard’s affirmative action policy.

From Penn Carey Law

Justice Kagan discusses her path to the Court, building ‘common ground’
Justice Elena Kagan gestures to a smiling Penn President Liz Magill on the stage at Irvine Hall

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan (left) sat down with President Liz Magill for a discussion at Irvine Hall.

Justice Kagan discusses her path to the Court, building ‘common ground’

Capping off a festivities-filled inauguration day, President Liz Magill and Kagan had a wide-ranging conversation about the law, Kagan’s career, and building congeniality on the current Court.

Kristen de Groot

The uncertain future of DACA
Dreamers from Mexico living in Houston rally in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, holding signs reading "DACA is temporary; our home is here"

Susana Lujano, left, a dreamer from Mexico who lives in Houston, joins other activists to rally in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 15, 2022.  (Image: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

The uncertain future of DACA

Sarah Paoletti of Penn Carey Law’s Transnational Legal Clinic sheds some light on a federal appeals court ruling earlier this month.

Kristen de Groot

Zero tolerance: Family separation and U.S. immigration policy
Efrén Olivares speaks to a crowd of people holding signs that say "end zero tolerance," "no human is illegal," and "not one more deportation."

Olivares speaks to a group of people about immigration in McAllen, Texas during a rally to demand an end to the zero-tolerance policy in June 2019. (Image credit: Texas Civil Rights Project)

Zero tolerance: Family separation and U.S. immigration policy

In the 2022 Dolores Huerta keynote lecture, lawyer Efrén C. Olivares, Class of 2005, spoke on his personal and professional experience with immigration.

Kristina García

Bail reform and public safety
Aerial street view of a Penn law building on a city corner.

Bail reform and public safety

A Quattrone Center study has found that misdemeanor bail reforms in Harris County, Texas have had a positive impact on public safety.

From Penn Carey Law

Advocating for labor rights
Three men in suits pose together in an office

Julian Lutz (far right) stands with Collin Clibon (far left), an attorney at Spear Wilderman, a firm that represents Local 19 along with other trade unions, and Marty Millz, attorney to Local 19. All three men were Peggy Browning fellows.

Advocating for labor rights

Through a Peggy Browning Fellowship, Penn Carey Law student Julian Lutz spent his summer working at Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 Philadelphia.

Kristina García

Peggy Browning Fellows are advocating for labor rights
Facade of Penn Law building on a corner with passersby on the sidewalk.

Peggy Browning Fellows are advocating for labor rights

Supported by the Peggy Browning Fund, three Penn Carey Law students are advocating for labor rights, inspired by their own experiences as activists, organizers, and workers.

From Penn Carey Law

The law students who help make justice accessible for all
Two people walking on the sidewalk turning a corner in front of the Penn Carey Law building.

The law students who help make justice accessible for all

The Access to Justice Tech Fellows Program mobilizes law students across the country to generate pathbreaking ways to increase access to justice for the most vulnerable communities.

From Penn Carey Law

A mural to honor a civil rights pioneer
A. Leon Higginbotham.

The Honorable A. Leon Higginbotham Jr.

A mural to honor a civil rights pioneer

The unveiling of the design of a new mural honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. was held last month, a collaboration between Penn Carey Law, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and The Philadelphia Citizen.

From Penn Carey Law