The Advocate

Welcome to The Advocate - Gonzaga University School of Law's online newsletter and information source.

Opinions Wanted: If you have something to say, then say it! We're always looking for Editorials on topics in the paper and around the law school.

Please put Editorial in the subject line and limit your submission to 500 words. Send Editorials by e-mail to: Advocate Editor

Gonzaga law students honor veterans

by: Ron Collins

Veterans Day originated in the Armistice Day holiday commemorating the November 11, 1918, armistice, which suspended active hostilities and effectively ended the First World War.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations ... "

The holiday originally was intended to honor veterans of World War I; however, in 1954--after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen in the nation's history, and, after American forces had fought aggression in Korea--the 83rd Congress, at the urging og the veterans service organizations, changed the holiday's name to its present "Veterans Day." With this change, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

The Armed Forces Law Club at Gonzaga is a student-run organization dedicated to honoring and supporting law students and faculty currently or formerly affiliated with the Armed Forces of the United States, as well as promoting knowledge and awareness of veteran and military issues. The club is open to all Gonzaga students interested in showing their support to our troops or who wish to study the interface between military, the government, and the legal system.

This year the club honored our veterans by performing a flag ceremony at sunset on November 12, in front of the law school. Additionally the club put together a display featuring current and former military members associated with Gonzaga to raise awareness of our resident veteran population. Our future plans include participation in a charitable toy drive for needy children this holiday season. Information on that event will be forthcoming.

Information contained herein can be found at http://usinfo.state.gov/svs/life_and_culture/holidays/veterans_day.html.

APILC plans for the school year

by: Ryan Hew

We will be having a potluck party for members in November. Next semester, we plan on starting off with a career advancement panel geared towards the 1Ls, probably sometime in January. Our ultimate project for next semester will be a karaoke contest with food and drinks. We are making inquiries about hosting such an event at RAW Sushi Bar and Grill. This event is tentatively set for sometime in March or April.

Our other side projects include becoming affiliated with NAPALSA (National Asian Pacific American Law Students Association) and partnering with an organization for public service. Finally, we will continue to bring ethnic food sales for the law school to sample. Anyone is welcome to become a member of the APILC. If you have questions about our events or are interested in joining please e-mail Ryan Hew or Emma Wilson.

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Fall pool tournament

by: Angelle Punch

The balls were rolling on October 24th at the Season Ticket, where Gonzaga law students participated in the fall pool tournament. Nine teams battled intently for the title of pool tournament champion. It was a close call but in the end it was Ryan Schneider and his teammate Dan who took first place. Not far behind in the battle were Cory and Carla, bringing in the rear was Heather and "G."

Students mingled, laughed, and got to know each other across the lines of 1L, 2L, and 3L. It was a fantastic time. Everyone enjoyed the complimentary appetizers, a little healthy competition, and of course happy-hour beverages!

The pool tournament was a fund-raiser put on by the GSA WLC and Amnesty Int'l to bring Keith McHenry, the co-founder of Food Not Bombs to speak at Gonzaga Law School. The Season Ticket supports Gonzaga and was kind enough to donate the prizes and open the pool tables to the tournament at no cost.

The event was a success and will become an annual event for Amnesty International.

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Women's Law Caucus hosts CLE on the rights of cancer patients

by: Amanda Peek

On October 11, 2007, in Gonzaga Law School's Barbieri Courtroom, the Gonzaga Women's Law Caucus and Health Law Society, in cooperation with the Spokane Chapter of Washington Women Lawyers, the American Cancer Society, and Cancer Patient Care, presented a CLE on the legal issues and rights of cancer patients.

The seminar, which was open to the general public as well as lawyers and students, focused on landlord-tenant issues, employment concerns, estate planning, and end-of-life documents.

Washington Women Lawyers has created the Breast Cancer Legal Resource Guide, a comprehensive source of information for those with cancer or other catastrophic illness. The guide addresses issues surrounding housing, employment, estate planning, insurance and benefits, among other things. A free copy can be downloaded at Breast Cancer Legal Resource Guide (pdf), and will soon be in circulation in Gonzaga Law School's Chastek Library.

"The most important thing is to get into your support group or know where to turn," says Joan Tierney, a Seattle attorney and immediate past president of the Washington Women Lawyers. People who have never thought about preparing a will or writing out their last wishes often decide to do so when they face a serious disease, says Karen Sayre, a Spokane attorney concentrating in elder law who spoke at the seminar.

"When you actually get diagnosed, it tends to be a triggering event," Sayre says. "All of a sudden, when they're diagnosed with what could be a terminal illness, most people respond, sometimes not immediately. And then all of a sudden they will take a turn for the worst, things will move faster than expected."

Sayre's presentation at the CLE also focused on the ethical dilemma that attorneys can face when they are called by a family member of a relative too ill to make the call themselves. "Is that my client? Is mom my client?" she says. "I can't represent a client and give legal advice to a client's children."

The CLE was attended by students, professors, attorneys, cancer survivors, and community members. A reception was hosted after the event by the Gonzaga Women's Law Caucus and Health Law Society.

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