query: combining organizing and legal strategies

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

[ed:  thanks to Stephen and Warren for responding to Andrew's query.]

From: StephenMeacham at aol.com

In Boston, we (City Life Vida Urbana) have developed a close working 
relationship between Legal Services defense of individual tenants facing 
displacement and tenant organizing strategies and tactics, especially 
the use of "collective bargaining" leading to comprehensive agreements 
between tenant associations and landlords.  Legal Services gets a bigger 
bang for the buck by representing everyone in an association, and since 
there are aggressive organizing techniques involve, they don't have to 
litigate as much.  Organizers have a better chance of building 
confidence for rallies, public pressure, sit-ins, etc., when tenants 
feel they have legal representation as back up.  We usually refer to the 
whole thing as the shield (legal defense) and the sword (political 
offense).  For more developed info from the legal side or examples of 
collective bargaining agreements, call ED at Harvard Legal Aid - 
617-495-4408


**************************************
From: "Warren Nelson" <wnelson at nhsbaltimore.com>

Check out this website: http://www.communitylaw.org/



Discussion list for COMM-ORG wrote:
> --------
> This is a COMM-ORG 'colist' message.
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>  
> [ed:  please feel welcomed to copy COMM-ORG with responses to Andrew's 
> query.  A bit from me below.]
>
> From: Andrew Schoeneman <mistershoney at yahoo.com>
>
>
> I am looking for resources in the area of organizing combined with legal 
> strategies.  My organization is a legal aid program whose staff includes 
> non-attorney organizers, including me.
>  
> We are trying to clarify the relationships that exist between my 
> employer, which is in essence a public interest law firm, and community 
> groups to whom we provide community organizing support as well as legal 
> advice and and even representation when necessary.  One such group is in 
> the process of formulating by-laws, electing officers, etc., and it 
> seems like a good time to agree on the terms of this relationship.
>  
> I suspect there are other organizations out there who combine legal and 
> organizing strategies, and have at some point addressed the balance 
> between the roles and responsibilities of being a lawyer/law firm and 
> the practice and philosophy of organizing.
>  
> I'd appreciate any responses either to the listserv or to me at 
> andrew at justice4all.org.
>  
> Thanks,
> Andrew Schoeneman
>
> [ed:  Rinku Sen's book, Stir it Up, has some case studies on integrating 
> legal services and community organizing.]
>
>
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