The inaugural class of Summer Fellows worked full-time from May to August, 2005,
on a series of projects related to environmental mediation, peaceful conflict
resolution, police-community relations, and mental health in juvenile justice. Laura
Weidner of the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University researched conflict
resolution education programs for children and schools. Laura updated and
revived WJCF's Children's Workshop on Conflict Resolution , an interactive facility
at WJCF that helps children to understand their responses to conflict and to
develop peaceful, constructive responses instead of violent ones. "The WJCF has
also renewed my faith that communities are alive and well. As an organization
under the competent leadership of Executive Director Najeeba Syeed -Miller, Judge
Dorothy Nelson, and the entire WJCF Board, it is rapidly becoming a powerful force for
peaceful conflict resolution, effective and efficient dispute resolution, and enhanced
access to justice for everyone," Laura said at the culmination of her Fellowship. Brette
Steele of the UCLA School of Law researched and developed training for the
newly emerging EcoLogue : Center for Environmental Mediation and Dialogue. The
environmental collaboration training will build capacity in environmental justice
groups, government agencies, and developers to resolve environmental disputes using
collaborative processes. Brette will continue her work with WJCF through May under
the UCLA Center for Community Partnerships grant awarded to WJCF. She will play a vital
role in research and program development. "I am pleased to play a role in the long term
development of Ecologue ," Brette mentioned at the end of her Fellowship. Yvette Serrato
joined WJCF from the Boston University School of Law. Yvette assisted in coordinating
trainings, advisory meetings, and a day of dialogue for a groundbreaking Community/Police
Mediation and Dialogue Program. The Community Mediation Program was designed as
a forum for the satisfactory resolution of citizen complaints against the police department
outside of the traditional complaint process. "I am thankful that I had the opportunity to
be a part of the Western Justice Center Foundation. I leave here with a renewed dedication
to public service and the determination to make today's world a little bit better than
yesterday's," said Yvette. Brendan Cooney came to WJCF from Harvard Law School to
work on the Juvenile Mental Health Court/Alternative Juvenile Justice project.

Brendan researched existing mental health courts and the mental health crisis in juvenile
justice while developing project proposals for the Pasadena Juvenile Mental Health
Court Working Group and for WJCF. The culmination of Brendan's work was a detailed
report on the issues surrounding the mental health needs of juveniles in the justice
system. "It was also inspiring to see the way the other professionals on WJCF's
board sacrifice their time to promote the Western Justice Center 's work. My experience
at WJCF has been a very positive one," said Brendan. In addition to their individual
projects, the Summer Fellows had the opportunity to interact in depth with some of WJCF's
prestigious board members, including Judge Dorothy Nelson of the Ninth Circuit Court
of Appeals, Justice Carlos Moreno of the California Supreme Court, Federal District Judge
Terry Hatter, and Superior Court Judge Dorothy Shubin . The Fellows visited the courts
of Judges Nelson, Hatter, and Shubin , allowing them to observe the law in action at its
various levels, and to speak with the judges about careers in the legal
profession.

WJCF plans to continue the Summer Fellowship Program next year with a new batch of
both legal and non-legal graduate students. WJCF Executive Director, Najeeba Syeed -
Miller said, "WJCF plans to host Summer Fellows every year to work on vital projects that
improve the administration of justice and assure peaceful conflict resolution. This year's
Fellows produced outstanding results that will have local and national
impact."

Contact:  Jordan Pearlstein to learn more.