Civil Rights Law Section

Message from the Chair

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is often one of the first things to come to mind when we hear the words "civil rights." What do the children of our community know about the First Amendment? In Cleveland, Ohio where I practice, the civic education of our high school students, specifically, 10th Graders in Cleveland public schools, has been taken on by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association through a tutoring program known as the 3Rs Program. Over 500 attorneys and judges participate each year in the program. The students learn about the Constitution and our system of government. 

Attached in the Resources Section of our website is a possible lesson plan about the First Amendment that will be used by permission of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. This lesson plan is available thanks to our First Amendment Committee chair, the Honorable Judge Dan Aaron Polster. Judge Polster is one of the dedicated tutors who use this material. Can you think of a way to use this lesson plan in your community? The Jeopardy portion of the materials used for review is really fun. And don’t worry, the answers to the quiz are provided!

I hope you will find the material inspirational and hope that you can use it in your presentations to younger citizens (and potential attorneys) who are in high school. Please acknowledge the CMBA in your use of this copyrighted material. Thank you and enjoy!

Warm regards,

Diane Citrino
Thacker Martinsek LPA

* At this time current FBA members are not able to register for this Section online. We are working on implementing this process and hope to have it up and running shortly. If you would like to join this Section please email our Manager of Sections and Divisions, Sherwin Valerio, or you can reach him at (571) 481-9108.

Not an FBA member? Sign up online or fill out an application to get involved today!