Service hours recognized, summer grants awarded at annual luncheon
—By Lori Craig
During the school year, a number of USC Law students selflessly set aside time from classes, studying, student groups, jobs and social lives to give back.
This year, to be exact, 25 students donated 35 or more hours of pro bono service during the 2008-09 year; 10 students donated 50 or more hours; and an exceptional five students and eight student groups donated 100 or more hours of public service.
Those students—along with their classmates who will receive grants and fellowships to support public interest work this summer—were recognized at the annual Pro Bono Awards Luncheon at Town and Gown April 14.
The event also featured PILF Student of the Year Aly Parker ’09, PILF Public Interest Attorney of the Year Brandy Davis ‘01, and Paul Davis Memorial Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Mary Carter Andreus ’88.
Despite the downturn in the economy, PILF raised enough funds to award a record number of summer grants this year, to 28 first- and second-year students who will work with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Hardcore Gang Division, the Wage Justice Center, Bet Tzedek Legal Services and other groups.
“On a daily basis, PILF reminds us that we have only to think of others and to give back,” Dean Robert K. Rasmussen said. “I’m proud to be dean of USC Law because I don’t have to take responsibility for inculcating public service—it comes from the bottom up and it comes from PILF.”
Davis, attorney of the year, works with the Labor Project for Working Families coordinating the California Work and Family Coalition. She encouraged students to continue to do pro bono work even after they have graduated and entered the work force.
“The time and effort you dedicate can really make a difference for the public service organizations and the communities they serve,” she said.
Parker, student of the year, reflected on her journey from high school in Boston to enrolling in Boston College, followed by USC Law. Many of her childhood friends were underestimated and fell by the wayside, dropping out or starting families rather than pursuing higher education.
“With the confidence you give to me today I can tell you I will not let you down,” said Parker, who has worked with the General Relief Advocacy Program during her three years of law school. “I take it as my responsibility to make sure that generations to come have more opportunities than my friends did and that generations to come are never underestimated.”
100 hours of service
A record number of students and student organizations donated 100 or more hours of public service this year, including Kevin Hermansen ’09, who racked up 487 pro bono hours. He worked with BASTA, Inc., a tenant’s rights organization, assisting people who were being evicted.
Hermansen has logged more than 100 hours during each of his three years of law school, working with groups including Public Counsel, where he learned to advocate for the poor who were entitled to general relief and food stamps; and Inner City Law Center, where he organized tenants to prosecute some of the worst slumlords in Los Angeles. He says the work was a way to set himself apart.
“While volunteering I learned many practical legal skills which I could use immediately to provide substantive legal assistance to those in need,” Hermansen said. “I also obtained a very practical legal experience that expanded on what I was learning in class. Volunteering broadened my legal experience beyond the cases I was reading to cases for which I could effect the outcome.”
For their 100+ hours of service, Hermansen and the following students received the 2009 Office of Public Service Award:
John Gaustad ’11, Sara Van Hofwegen ’09, Ingrid Newquist ’10, and Lauren Wright ’11.
For their 100+ hours of service, the following student organizations were named the 2009 100-Hour Challenge Award winners:
Asian-Pacific American Law Student Association
Black Law Student Association
Christian Legal Society
Club for Housing and Unlawful Detainer
La Raza Law Students Association
Legal Aid Alternative Breaks
Street Law
Women’s Law Association
Previous Article
