By Maria Iacobo
Three USC Law students interested in pursuing careers in public service have been awarded scholarships totaling nearly $20,000 by the California Bar Foundation’s Public Interest Scholarship Program. Matthew Watts ‘11 and Ryan Wolfe ‘12 received their awards at the foundation’s annual meeting in Los Angeles last week. Amy Wan ’11 is spending her final year of law school on exchange at the London School of Economics and was unable to join her classmates.
“The awarding of scholarship money from outside sources is a winning situation for both the student recipient and USC Law,” said Liam Gillen, associate director of financial aid and student affairs. “Outside scholarship assistance allows students to borrow less during law school. The ability to borrow less in school can produce significant savings for our students over the years. At the same time, members in the legal profession become more aware of the significant accomplishments of USC Law students."
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| Matthew Watts '11 and Ryan Wolfe '12 |
Noting the enormous amount of loan debt most law students graduate with, Joan Kupersmith Larkin, a member of the foundation’s Board of Directors noted, “The Public Interest scholarship program provided top law students much-needed financial support and publicly affirms their commitment to serving the community.”
The foundation also recognized scholars from California law schools graduating in 2010 with awards to cover the cost of taking the California Bar Exam, bar review courses and living expenses while studying for the bar. The Rosenthal Bar Exam Scholarships award $2,000 to new law graduates who are pursuing careers in public interest. Jessica Hewins and Harden Sooper – both Class of 2010 – were the USC Law recipients of these awards. Sooper also received an additional cash award to cover the BAR/BRI law Review Bar Exam.
About the winners:
Public Interest Scholarship Awards
Amy Wan ($2,500)
During Amy’s first two years at USC Law, she took on internships with the Fiji Human Rights Commission, International Bridges to Justice in Bejing, the chambers of Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Office of Santa Clara County Counsel. Wan’s year at the London School of Economics will afford her an LL.M. in public international law as well as her J.D. The exchange program is one of several international exchange programs at USC Law.
Matthew Watts ($5,000)
Four years ago, Matthew was a structural engineer with an aerospace company. A month volunteering at orphanages in Northern Thailand, during which he was drawn to the ability of lawyers to advocate on behalf of victims of exploitation, inspired him to change career paths and apply to law school. Over the past two summers, Matthew has interned at the Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles and at International Justice Mission in the Philippines, assisting in the prosecution of trafficking cases. A graduate of USC, Matthew plans a legal career in international human rights.
Ryan Wolfe ($2,500)
A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Ryan had started a career in business when a desire to help the homeless in his neighborhood in Venice, CA evolved into a passion to advocate on behalf of the poor as a public interest lawyer. In law school, Ryan has taught legal issues to inner city high school students through the Street Law program, helped guide pro per clients facing eviction at the Compton Courthouse, volunteered at Public Counsel’s Samoshel Legal Clinic and the Community Legal Services Self-Help Clinic, and served on the board of USC’s Public Interest Law Foundation.
Rosenthal Bar Exam Scholarship
Jessica Hewins ($2,000)
Through her work at organizations like the Disability Rights Legal Center, the Orleans Public Defender’s Office, and California Rural Legal Assistance, Jessica believes that the work of one person can effect systemic change. A graduate of UC San Diego, Jessica has also worked at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles Superior Court. An active member of the Public Interest Law Foundation at USC, she served as president of Legal Aid Alternative Breaks, organizing service learning trips to New Orleans and Coachella Valley.
Harden Sooper ($5,000)
Inspired by his grandfather, a police officer, Harden has long had a passion for public service. Throughout law school, he worked exclusively in the public sector – including three stints with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office – in preparation for a public interest law career. At the beginning of his second year of law school, Harden decided to join the U.S. army ROTC.
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