2006 Pro Bono Awards

Students, grads honored at 2006 Pro Bono Awards Luncheon

The spotlight shone on dozens of students involved in volunteer and public interest work during the Public Interest Law Foundation’s annual Pro Bono Awards Luncheon held April 12. USC Law students donated more than 2,000 hours with more than 20 different organizations and legal clinics during the 2005-06 school year, says PILF President Sarah Rackoff.

Award winners stand during PILF's Pro Bono Awards Luncheon in Town & Gown.

Third-year student David German was named Student of the Year for his long list of public service pursuits, including traveling to Mississippi during spring break with the Katrina Legal Aid Project.

German, who has been simultaneously pursuing a Ph.D. in philosophy while a USC Law student, reportedly volunteered 567 hours during nearly three years with public interest groups such as the L.A. Free Clinic, the National Lawyers Guild military law clinic and legal observer program, and the Western Center on Disability. Last week he received a Shattuck Award for his contributions to the law school.

“During these years, no matter how much I’ve done, the voice in my head keeps telling me I haven’t done enough,” German said from the podium after receiving his award.

Susanne Browne, Attorney of the Year; Peter R. Afrasiabi, Paul Davis Memorial Award recipient; David German, Student of the Year

Two alumni received awards as well. Susanne Browne ’95 was named Attorney of the Year for her affordable housing work with Legal Aid Foundation Los Angeles. Peter R. Afrasiabi ’97, with Turner Green Afrasiabi & Arledge, received the Paul Davis Memorial Award, granted to a private-sector attorney who also is a leader in pro bono work.

PILF also awarded 19 first- and second-year students with grants to help fund their public interest work this summer. Grant recipients will be working with agencies such as the Los Angeles Public Defender’s Office, Public Counsel and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

Twenty-one students were honored for donating 50 or more hours of pro bono service — a handful of those donated more than 100 hours — and 33 students received awards for donating at least 35 hours of service.

Click here for a full listing of award winners.