David J Berney And Morgen Black Smith

David J Berney And Morgen Black Smith

July 04, 2017 | The Legal Intelligencer

Trauma and School Children: Can the Law Empower These Students?

M.M. grew up in an inner-city neighborhood in Boston. While in utero, M.M. experienced fetal distress while exposed to crack cocaine. As an adolescent, his mother was repeatedly incarcerated due to drug use. Because M.M. never knew his father, he ­transitioned in and out of foster homes, and at times, found himself homeless.

By David J. Berney 
and Morgen Black-Smith

12 minute read

December 27, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

President Obama and His Legacy on Education

As Barack Obama's presidency draws to a close, it is worthwhile to reflect back on some of his accomplishments in the area of education. The president was able to promote a number of ambitious educational policies. Those achievements are all the more remarkable given Republican control of one or both houses of Congress during most of his presidency and the presence of critics from the left, right and center who excoriated his policy prescriptions. While President Obama's achievements should not be ­understated, it remains to be seen in light of his critics whether his overall legacy will benefit students.

By David J. Berney 
and Morgen Black-Smith

16 minute read

June 24, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

Transgender Students: A Unique Frontier for Civil Rights

Starting at the age of 3, Lauren felt like a girl trapped in a boy's body. At school, due to her gender nonconformity, her classmates began calling her names such as "man beast." The harassment escalated to the point where students spit on her, parents insulted her, and on one ­occasion, peers tried tearing off her clothing to expose her genitals.

By David J. Berney 
and Morgen Black-Smith

15 minute read


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