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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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

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)

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.  

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

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)