EARL CARL INSTITUTE EARL CARL INSTITUTE FOR LEGAL AND SOCIAL POLICY
The mission of the Earl Carl Institute for Legal and Social Policy (ECI), a nonprofit organization founded in 1992, is to empower underserved and disenfranchised communities by addressing systemic social issues through legal representation, research, education, and advocacy.
ECI is operated by full-time staff, attorneys, and Thurgood Marshall Law students. The Institute hires about 25 students per semester to work on their ongoing projects and research. Students gain hands-on experience while developing skills in research, writing, advocacy, leadership, and problem solving.
Current ECI Projects Focus On: v v
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Criminal Justice Reforms Youth Initiatives (including juvenile justice and education reforms) Disproportionality and disparities impacting people of color Property ownership and housing stability Voting Rights and disenfranchisement efforts towards communities of color
ECI’s projects generally achieve the following outcomes: v v v
Public Policy Initiatives Community Education Student Development
As an Earl Carl Institute (ECI) intern with the Opal Mitchell Lee Property Preservation Project (OMLPP), I continue to receive hands-on, professional training to ensure I am client-ready and practice-ready by graduation. I’ve learned how to draft estate planning packets, motions, discovery requests and I’ve also performed intake meetings with potential clients. The fundamental lawyering skills acquired as an ECI intern will prove instrumental as I begin my career.
Marcus Rhodes, 3L
Intern 2021-22, Opal Mitchell Lee Property Preservation Project The Earl Carl Institute
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