BLSA is actively involved with various local initiatives, including food and clothing drives, work with local high schools, and assistance with undergraduate service efforts.
Capital Assistance Project
The Capital Assistance Project at Yale Law School (CAP) provides people on death row, and the lawyers that represent them, with substantive legal support. Students research legal topics, write motions, petitions, and briefs, and occasionally conduct investigative work.
Green Haven Prison Project
This project offers Yale Law School students and the prisoners from the Green Haven facility the opportunity to share their knowledge, thoughts, and experiences through discussions on wide-ranging and often controversial subjects.
Initiative for Public Interest Law at Yale, Inc.
The Initiative for Public Interest Law at Yale distributes grants to innovative public interest law projects around the country. Each year students involved in the Initiative raise an average of $40,000 through a public interest auction, a book sale, the Yale Law School prom, and alumni solicitations. More on the Initiative…
Pro Bono Network
The Pro Bono Network brings together students and organizations to collaborate on public interest projects. Students help organizations with research, advocacy work and policy analysis. Info for students. | Info for partner organizations.
Rebellious Lawyering
The Annual Rebellious Lawyering Conference is a revered tradition for Yale's active public interest community and for progressive lawyers and law students around the country. The goal of the conference is to inspire law students to think critically about their legal careers and to inspire innovation in public interest advocacy. More on Rebellious Lawyering…
Street Law
Street Law's goal is to use participants' knowledge and experience as law students to introduce New Haven middle and high school students to the law in ways relevant to their lives.
Student /Faculty Alliance for Military Equality (SAME)
The Student/Faculty Alliance for Military Equality (SAME) was formed in 2002 to combat threats to Yale Law School’s nondiscrimination policy, promoting equal treatment of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students. SAME’s broader goal is education and activism on non-discrimination policies at other schools, and on the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
Student Representatives
Representatives coordinate the law school's participation in the bi- or tri-annual Red Cross blood drives at the McDougal Center and each year consider whether Law School students want to support the community through can drives, Toys for Tots, or other classic service activities.
Temporary Restraining Order Project
The Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) Project seeks to involve law students in the fight against domestic violence. Law student volunteers staff an office at the New Haven Family Courthouse that provides assistance to individuals seeking civil temporary restraining orders.
Women and Youth Supporting Each Other (WYSE)
Women and Youth Supporting Each Other is a national, curriculum-based mentorship program. Law students work with high school students on issues of importance to the girls, ranging from college preparedness to teenage pregnancy and violence in their communities.
Workers’ Rights Project
The Yale Law Workers' Rights Project (WRP) is dedicated to protecting and expanding the rights of all workers, with a particular focus on low-wage workers. The group works to provide legal assistance and other support for YLS workers on the Yale campus and conducts legal research for nonprofit groups. More on WRP…
Yale Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
The Yale Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (YSALDF) is dedicated to educating the Yale community about important issues in animal law, and helping members of the Yale community work on legal activist projects leading to further local, national, and international protection of animal interests.
Yale Incentive Program for Public Interest Employment (YIPPIE!)
YIPPIE! is dedicated to encouraging Yale Law students to take on summer public interest work by providing them with additional funding to be added to their Summer Public Interest Fellowship stipends. The group’s fundraising events included the Harvard-Law – Yale Law Court Classic Basketball game, Speed Dating, Yale Law Small Group Olympics, and the Day’s Pay drive. More on YIPPEE…