Benjamin Jones ’13 named to Equal Justice Works national legal advisory committee
(Boston, 7/25/12) New England Law | Boston: Benjamin Jones ’13 has been appointed to the National Advisory Committee of Equal Justice Works (EJW). As one of approximately a dozen students and professionals selected from law schools across the country, Jones will provide guidance and advice to EJW to help it achieve its goal of expanding public interest opportunities for law students and lawyers.
Benjamin Jones '13EJW’s mission is “…to create a just society by mobilizing the next generation of lawyers committed to equal justice.” Initiatives include collaboration with law schools to expand public interest programming; hosting public interest law career fairs; funding hundreds of public interest attorneys each year through fellowship programs; and serving as an advocate and counseling resource regarding student loan assistance programs that enable lawyers to take public interest jobs.
Jones is currently an EJW summer legal intern with the New Hampshire Public Defender’s Office in Nashua, representing indigent criminal clients in district and superior court, assisting and observing experienced defense attorneys, and preparing court documents. In August he will serve as an Honors Judicial Program intern with the Hon. Roberto Ronquillo, Jr., first justice, Boston Municipal Court.
Jones’s involvement in the Greater Boston public interest law community also includes internships and volunteer positions with Shelter Legal Services, Greater Boston Legal Services, and the New England Innocence Project. At New England Law | Boston, he works for the Center for Law and Social Responsibility (CLSR); has been named to the Public Service Honor Roll and the Dean’s List multiple times; has served as president of the Immigration Law Association; and is a member of the Public Interest Law Association.
“Within the public interest community that I have been a part of in Greater Boston, the most pressing issue is access to justice,” says Jones. “The great disparity between the access that is afforded those with financial means and social connections and those who lack in these areas is great and becoming greater. Many issues that are simple and easily remedied by the trained eye can grow into great burdens if not attended to. I saw this firsthand through my Shelter Legal Services intake work at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans.
“The legal community should recognize the call-to-arms that is sounded by this issue, and with that in mind I plan to connect my work for EJW with the law school to assist public interest projects in New England and nationally.”
Jones’s EJW duties will include participation in an annual meeting in Washington, DC, and subcommittee work focused on specific goals and objectives.