Students and alumni thanked for their service during annual luncheon
—By Lori Craig
When it comes to public service, USC Law students continue to raise the bar. Between clinics, student organization projects and pro bono work for outside groups, students donated more than 3,900 hours of service this year, a new record.
More than 60 percent of 1Ls, 2Ls and 3Ls logged pro bono hours, according to Student Programs Advisor Malissa Barnwell-Scott. Ten student organizations and nine individual students donated more than 100 hours of community service, while one student — 2L Kevin Hermansen — donated an astonishing 300-plus hours.
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| 2008 Pro Bono Awards Luncheon |
More than 50 students and two alumni received special recognition for their contributions at the annual Pro Bono Awards Luncheon, presented by the USC Law Public Interest Law foundation and the law school, held in Town and Gown April 23.
Third-year student Doreen Anthony was named PILF Student of the Year, Andrea Ramos ’92 was named PILF Attorney of the Year, and Phillip Kaplan ’77 received the Paul Davis Memorial Award.
Dean Robert K. Rasmussen credited the students with continuing the tradition which makes USC Law stand out from other elite law schools.
“USC Law has long been associated with the recognition that lawyers have an obligation to give back,” Rasmussen said. “One thing we want to instill in all our graduates is that with the privilege that comes with an elite education is a sense of duty to give back.
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| PILF Student of the Year Doreen Anthony '08 |
“One way we reinforce this value is with events like today, to honor those who already have contributed to the community.”
In addition to the nine students who received the Office of Public Service Award for their 100 hours, Hermansen received the Outstanding Pro Bono Contribution award, 15 students received the State Bar of California Wiley W. Manuel Award for donating more than 50 hours, and 17 students received the Los Angeles County Bar Association Pro Bono Award for donating more than 35 hours.
Eight second-year students and 17 first-year students were honored with PILF grants that will support their work this summer at agencies including the L.A. County Public Defender’s Office, Bet Tzedek and New Orleans Juvenile Regional Services.
Anthony, PILF student of the year, told her fellow students that some days, it will take a lot of faith to remain dedicated to a public interest career. Having grown up in South Los Angeles, Anthony spoke of her recent encounter with a gang member that left her friend with bullet wounds. The police response was disappointing and Anthony lost hope that the gunman will be identified and arrested.
“I realized I am 25 years old and this is the first time in my life when I can think of a reason why I shouldn't be a public defender, why I shouldn’t try to make a difference in my community, why I shouldn’t represent these criminal defendants,” Anthony said. “And at that same time I can think of 200 reasons why I should. I realized that my faith is what’s going to get me through.”
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| PILF Attorney of the Year Andrea Ramos '92 |
PILF Attorney of the Year Ramos is director of the Children’s Rights Project at Public Counsel, which provides free legal and other advocacy services to children and teens, and adults seeking guardianship or adoption.
Ramos also mentors USC Law students who volunteer to work with the project.
“I’m really fortunate to work with the most dedicated lawyers and social workers and pro bono law students who give so much to Public Counsel,” Ramos said. “I’m also fortunate to work with the most inspiring clients: the children and youth of Los Angeles. I work with kids who have overcome incredible obstacles and are an amazing inspiration to me. They are what make me stay in this field.”
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| Paul Davis Memorial Award recipient Phillip Kaplan '77 |
“He is proof positive that you can be a successful practicing attorney and maintain a lifelong dedication to public service,” said 2L Alexa Lawson-Remer, who presented the award.
There has never been a better time for pro bono work, Kaplan said.
“(Lawyers) are really looking to make a difference and so often that difference comes from the new attorneys coming in,” he said. “You’re the spark and the energy.”
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