UVA Public Interest Law Association (PILA)
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Pilot Program Expands Public Service Grants to Judicial Internships

9/9/2019

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Original article published by Mike Fox, September 6, 2019

A new two-year pilot program at the University of Virginia School of Law will expand summer public service grants this year to fund judicial internships for the first time.

“Now students can pursue internships with courts, as well as with public service employers, without having to worry about how they’ll afford to do so,” said Annie Kim ’99, assistant dean for public service and director of the Mortimer Caplin Public Service Center. “Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and donors, students can work in any sector that interests them regardless of whether they’re getting paid.”

This summer, 166 students received a record $703,370 in grants. Each year, the student-run Public Interest Law Association works with the Law School’s Mortimer Caplin Public Service Center to disburse the funds, known as PILA grants. In the past, students have used the grants to work for federal, state or local governments, nonprofits and public defenders’ offices, as well as internationally. The pilot program aims to make fellowship opportunities more equitable by including additional popular internships.

Through a judicial internship, UVA Law students work during the summer for federal or state judges.
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“Working with a judge over the summer is a good way for students to both gain exposure to different types of law and courtroom practice, as well as to contribute meaningfully to the development of the law,” said Ruth Payne ’02, senior director of judicial clerkships. “Extending PILA grants to students interested in judicial internships is a wonderful way to make this experience more accessible to our students.”  

PILA grant requirements for the judicial internships are the same as for other grant recipients and public service roles. Student recipients are required to apply and qualify for the funding by volunteering their time for pro bono work — 40 hours for first-year students and 80 hours for second-year students. Grantees must also have secured a public service position and agree to donate hours back to PILA, which founded the grant program.

See full article here: https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/201909/pilot-program-expands-public-service-grants-judicial-internships
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Record $703,370 in PILA Grants Awarded to 166 Students Working in Public Interest This Summer

5/13/2019

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Original article published by Mike Fox, May 8, 2019
 

The University of Virginia School of Law will fund a record number of students working in public service roles this summer. With jobs ranging from civil rights compliance to securities regulations to local economic development, 166 students will receive a historic $703,370 in grants.

“So many students whom I speak with are able to intern at their dream job during their 1L or 2L summers — myself included — because of this program,” said Rachel Raycraft ’20, president of the student-run Public Interest Law Association, which works with the Law School’s Mortimer Caplin Public Service Center to disburse the funds.
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The grants will benefit 131 first-year students, who will each receive $3,750 in funding, and 35 second-year students, who receive $6,500. The Mortimer Caplin Public Service Fellowships and the Linda Fairstein Public Service Fellowships are the primary sources of funding.

“Thanks to PILA’s fundraising efforts and the Law School Foundation’s generosity, students can pursue their passions wherever they may lead,” said Annie Kim ’99, assistant dean for public service and director of the Mortimer Caplin Public Service Center.

Student recipients are required to apply and qualify for the funding by volunteering their time for pro bono work — 40 hours for first-year students and 80 hours for second-year students. Grantees must also have secured a public service position and agree to donate hours back to PILA, which founded the grant program.

PILA holds a series of fundraising events each year, including an auction and book sale, to help raise money for grants.

This year, students volunteered about 11,050 hours, an average of 67 per student grantee.

See full article here: https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/201905/record-703370-pila-grants-awarded-166-students-working-public-interest-summer
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Congratulations to the Incoming 2018-2019 PILA Board!!

4/6/2018

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PILA would like to thank the outgoing board for everything they have done for the UVA Law public service community, and congratulate next year's board on their election.  Looking forward to a great year!  

The 2018-2019 PILA board will consist of: 

President: Cameron Duncan
Vice President: Lauren Schnepper
Grant Director: Maggie Echols
Conference Director: Rachel Davidson Raycraft
Auction Director: Shivani Patel

Auction Team:
Courtney Koelbel (Logistics)
Liam O’Connor (Logistics)
Lena Welch (Business Solicitations)
Mariette Peltier (Business Solicitations)
Jordin Dickerson (School Solicitations)
Blythe McCoy (School Solicitations)

Membership Team:
Sarah Houston (Social & Fundraising)
Anna Rennich (Social 
& Fundraising)
Caroline Ramsey (Mentorship)
Noah Lingwall (Service)
Miranda Russell (Alternative Spring Break)
Jamie Almallen (Outreach) 
Alex Butler (Outreach)
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Announcing the 2016 Claire Corcoran Award Winners

4/14/2016

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We are very pleased to announce that Tex Pasley and Amber Strickland will receive this year's Claire M. Corcoran Awards. Both students, who incidentally were recently elected co-presidents of the Law & Public Service program, have had a stellar impact both in the Law School and beyond. 

Tex has worked on an extraordinary range of issues through his pro bono work with a diverse group of organizations—including the Innocence Project, the No Exception Prison Collective, the Virginia Legislative Committee on Mental Health, and the Legal Aid Justice Center. In addition to the LPS Board, he has been a leader in the National Lawyers Guild and a co-founder of the Virginia Law Prison Project. He spent his first summer working for Colorado Legal Services and will work this summer with the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law in Chicago. 

In the words of one recommender, "Through his amazing work so far, Tex has helped countless clients retain their homes, jobs, and rights, and has helped countless law students become better public interest advocates. His enthusiasm is infectious[.]"

Amber spent the year before law school working with the International Justice Mission in Bangalore, India, combatting forced labor slavery. She remains involved with that organization, and has also worked many hours with the Innocence Project here. As an LPS Board Member this year, she launched the Program's blog. She has also been a leader in BLSA, traveling to Uganda on a service trip during 1L and organizing this year's trip to South Africa. Her first summer was with the Civil Rights Section in the U.S. Department of Justice and this coming summer she'll work for the Racial Justice Program with the American Civil Liberties Union. 

One recommender writes: "There are very few people that I admire in this world more than Amber, primarily because her work product is impeccable, her kindness is selfless, and her character is unparalleled. She is not only passionately dedicated to public service, but passionately dedicated to shining her light brightly to make the world a better place through her love and grace." 

Please join us in congratulating Tex and Amber and thanking them for all the great work that they do. Thanks also to everyone who submitted nominations and those who served on the selection committee.  
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Congratulations to the Incoming 2016-2017 PILA Board

4/1/2016

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PILA would like to thank the outgoing board for everything they have done for the UVA Law public service community, and congratulate next year's board on their election.  Looking forward to a great year!  

The 2016-2017 PILA board will consist of: 

President: Teresa Hepler
Disbursements Director: Alex Haden
Treasurer: Daniel Boger
Outreach Director: Emily Mordecai

Auction Team:
Julia Maloney (Director)
Nicole Lawler (Logistics)
Jason Boyle (Business Solicitations)
Daniel Temkin (Business Solicitations)
 Jennifer Lee (School Solicitations)
 Dre Thuijs (School Solicitations)

Membership Team:
Michelle Garafalo
Megan Keenan
Shannon Lane
Ryan Pavel
Anna Mills
Cory Sagduyu

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PILA Board Application, 2016-2017

3/4/2016

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PILA is now accepting applications for the 2016–17 Board! The application is attached. 

Why should I join the PILA Board? 

-The work I've had a chance to do over the last two years, first as an auction director and this year as president, has been some of the most rewarding and meaningful of my three years here. The PILA Board gives you a unique chance to impact both individual student experiences and policy for the entire school.

-The people you meet—other Board members, grantees, community partners, and faculty—are inspiring, dedicated public servants. Learning from them and their stories is a tremendous opportunity.

-It's a lot of fun! We throw the biggest party of the fall semester and it's a great way to expand your network of friends during your last two years here.

-Added bonus: if you're a PILA grantee it substitutes for your 20 hour obligation to PILA. But note that you do not have to be a grantee to join the Board! 

What does the application consist of? 

1) A written portion, consisting of (a) your resume without GPA data and (b) a 1–3 page Word doc answering the questions posed in the attached application. These must be submitted to me at this email address (reedyswanson@gmail.com) by 5 pm on Thursday, March 17. 

2) An interview lasting approximately 10 minutes, to take place on Monday, March 21. 

What's the timeline? 

Written Application Due: Thursday, March 17, 5 pm
Interview: Monday, March 21
Decisions: Announced by Friday, March 25

The newly elected Board should plan to meet at least once or twice in April. 

More Questions? Email me! (reedyswanson@gmail.com) I'm more than happy to talk to anyone about applying. And I encourage you to reach out to current Board members if you are specifically interested in their position. (Contact info is in the application)

2016-17_pila_board_application.docx
File Size: 28 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

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Congratulations to the Incoming 2015-2016 PILA Board!

3/30/2015

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President:  Reedy Swanson

Disbursements Director:  Morgan Lingar

Membership Team:   Cait Yana
                                        Matthew Carroll
                                        Michelle Garafalo
                                        Aly Pont
                                        Ryan Pavel
                                        Teresa Hepler

Publicity: Elizabeth Douglas

Sponsorships: Thomas Barbour

Treasurer: Daniel Boger

Auction Team:    Alex Haden. (Auction Director)
                                Jasmine Esmailbegui  (School Solicitations)
                                Matthew Schneider (Logistics)
                                Elizabeth Hoffman (School Solicitations)
                                Daniel Cohen (Business Solicitations)
                                Peter Kye (Business Solicitations)
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Call for Claire Corcoran Award Nominations

3/26/2015

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Each spring we request nominations for the Claire M. Corcoran Award.  The Award was established in 1990 with the creation of a memorial fund established in memory of Claire M. Corcoran, a graduate of the Law School's Class of 1989 who passed away suddenly on December 20, 1989.  The Corcoran Award is presented to one or two 2L students who have demonstrated, as Ms. Corcoran did, an exceptional commitment to public service.  In addition to the honor of being designated as the Corcoran Award recipient, the selected student will receive a cash prize of $1,500; should two students receive the Award, they will receive $750 each.

Students, staff and faculty members who wish to nominate a 2L student should submit a written statement of no more than 500 words to Sejal Jhaveri, PILA President, at spj4ea@virginia.edu by Wednesday, April 8th, 2015.

Among other things, the statement may address the nominee's pro bono work, his/her summer work in public service law, relevant information about the work (volunteer or otherwise) the nominee did before law school, and the nominee's career goals.  A panel of students and administrators will decide the Claire Corcoran recipient(s).

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful nominations!

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Now Accepting Applications for the 2015-2016 PILA Board

3/6/2015

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PILA is now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 Board. Completed applications are due along with a resume by Friday, March 20, 2015 at 5pm to Sejal Jhaveri. Interviews will be scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2015.
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PILA Spring Service Day!

2/5/2015

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Mark your calendars! PILA's annual Spring Service Day is back!

When: Saturday, February 21, 2015
Time: 9:30am to 1:00pm
What: Volunteers will be helping out at various organizations, including Camp Holiday Trails, the Loaves and Fishes food pantry, Madison House, and the Virginia Institute of Autism (VIA).
Interested in volunteering? Contact Megan Durkee at mmd6a@virginia.edu no later than Wednesday, February 18.

We hope to see you there!
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  • Home
  • About PILA
    • Officers
    • Constitution
    • Bylaws
  • News
  • PILA Grants
    • PILA Grant Fast Facts
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Alternative Funding
  • PILA Auction & Other Fundraising Efforts
    • Graduation Housing
  • Alternative Spring Break
  • Public Service at UVA Law
  • Awards
    • Claire Corcoran Award
    • SHAPING JUSTICE AWARD
  • Shaping Justice Conference
    • About
    • 2021 Program
    • 2020 Program >
      • 2020 Keynote Speaker
    • 2019 Program >
      • Keynote Speaker
    • Registration
    • Getting Here