This academic year, Professor Lisa Smith (left), who runs the Criminal Practice Internship, has focused the seminar component of the clinic on “Innovations in Criminal Justice.” Clinic students first study the criminal justice issues that have led to the creation of specialized courts and programs, and then have the opportunity to listen to a lecture by the judges or administrators who are responsible for, or directly involved with, these innovations, many of which are taking place here in Brooklyn.

This fall, the seminar welcomed the following guest lecturers: Judge Ruth Sussman of the Bronx Integrated Domestic Violence Court, Judge Matthew D’Emic of the Brooklyn Mental Health Court, Judge Clark Richardson of the Bronx Juvenile Accountability Court, and Alfred Siegel, Deputy Director of the Center for Court Innovation on the Harlem Parole Reentry Court.

During Spring Semester 2002, guest lecturers were Justice Joanne Ferdinand, who discussed the Brooklyn Drug Treatment Court, Judge Matthew D’Emic, who spoke about the Brooklyn Domestic Violence Court, and Judge Alex Calabrese, who gave students a tour of the Red Hook Community Court.