The Impact Fund, in partnership with UC Hastings College of the Law, is accepting applications for its three-day intensive Class Action Litigation Training Institute.

Taught by four highly experienced public interest litigators, the course allows a small group of students to take a class action case from the initial client meeting to a mediated settlement.

The program's focus is on litigation, strategy, and practical skills that can be used for a variety of class actions. We use a hypothetical employment discrimination class action case file. The Institute includes mock exercises and evening activities.

You will learn how to:

* Investigate and develop a class action;
* Work with named plaintiffs, co-counsel, and grassroots organizations;
* Manage and use the media to your advantage;
* Prepare a discovery plan;
* Work with experts'
* Prepare class certification;
* Negotiate class settlements.

The Training Institute, which has been offered since 2008, has been a tremendous success. For California Bar members, MCLE credit will be available.

Who Should Attend
The program is designed for attorneys who do not have substantial experience in class action litigation but have had some exposure to general litigation.

Attendance will be limited to 16 to 20 participants.

Application Process and Deadline
To apply, please send us a resume and a one-to-two page statement explaining why you want to attend the Institute and what, if any, experience you have had with class action litigation.

Limited scholarship funds are available to partially defray travel and lodging expenses for legal services and non-profit attorneys based on a showing of need. If you seek such assistance, please explain why in your application.

Your statement should include an affirmation that you will commit to fully engage in the Institute (i.e. no cell phones or Blackberries allowed), including three hours of preparation before the training, and that your firm or organization will relieve you of your day-to-day responsibilities during the training period.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including people of color or with disabilities, to apply.

Please send your application by e-mail to Jocelyn Larkin at jlarkin@impactfund.org. The application deadline is April 9, 2010 at 5 pm Pacific time. We will notify you as soon as possible if you have been selected.

If you have any questions, please contact Tony Dang at 510.845.3473 ext. 308 or at tdang@impactfund.org.