Cornell Law School - National Lawyers Guild

The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) is dedicated to the need for basic and progressive change in the structure of our political and economic system. Through its members--lawyers, law students, jailhouse lawyers and legal workers united in chapters and committees--the Guild works locally, nationally and internationally as an effective political and social force in the service of the people. ----The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) is a national organization concerned with creating and sustaining social change. The NLG currently has a growing membership of over 6,000 lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jail-house lawyers organized into local chapters in all areas of the United States. Since its founding in 1937, the Guild has supported progressive change and served as an alternative to the more conservative positions of the larger Bar Associations. --- The work of the NLG includes such areas as housing, prison, anti-racism, affirmative action, sex discrimination, gay rights, labor and immigration. Many members choose to work on chapter projects or other legal/political projects while in school.

The Cornell Law School NLG is one of scores of  NLG chapters in the US, providing opportunities for law students to defend the principle that "... human rights should be more sacred that property rights."

Our aims:

• to eliminate racism;
• to safeguard and strengthen the rights of workers, women, farmers and minority groups, upon whom the welfare of the entire nation depends;
• to maintain and protect our civil rights and liberties in the face of persistent attacks upon them;
• to use the law as an instrument for the protection of the people, rather than for their repression.

"...to the end that human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests."