Seeds of Change: A Bibliographic Introduction to Law and Organizing
Introduction
The original citations for this bibliography were culled from reading lists compiled by Fran Ansley, Jennifer Gordon, Joel Handler, and Lucie White. We built upon that beginning by conducting our own searches, of course, but also by asking many people knowledgeable about various kinds of organizing to suggest resources that would be informative, insightful, and enlightening or inspiring for lawyers and law students interested in public interest law or pro bono work related to bottom-up social change. We wanted to compile a list of basic readings that would explain to lawyers something about grassroots social movements and organizations and their philosophies. Our aim is to put lawyers in touch with resources that could help them work well with community and workplace groups who put a priority on grassroots organizing for social change. Several dozen people from organizations far and near responded enthusiastically with suggestions which ranged widely but often overlapped as well.
Suggested Reading
Workfare: Current Challenges in Organizing and Litigation
Discussing the problems and challenges presented by workfare policies.
The Lawyering Practices of 18-B Panel Attorneys
Examines the lawyering practices of 18-B Panel attorneys and the extent to which they effectively advocate for their clients.
Lawyers, Law and Social Change
Critical discussion of the role of the law and lawyering in the realization of social change and justice; lawyering as conduit for shifting power imbalances
Lessons and Challenges of Becoming Gentlemen
Analysis of how UPENN Law School's pedagogy suppresses women and detracts from the learning experience.
Rebellious Reflection: Supporting Community Lawyering Practice
The practice of reflection supports a community lawyering practice made up of self-aware, compassionate, and resilient lawyers who are committed to action—committed to working in solidarity with clients and communities in order to achieve radical transformative social change.
Troubled Reflections on Public Interest Law
Reflection of fundamental limitations of the public interest lawyering movement.