Interested in Receiving a 2016 Equal Justice Works Public Interest Award? See the following criteria to determine if you qualify:
Apply by March 1, 2016. All applicants will be required to submit:
- One-page application with the applicant’s name, law school, and contact information (see Addendum)
- Personal Statement describing the applicant’s outstanding public interest legal work in service to disadvantaged or marginalized groups and significant contributions to closing the justice gap (2 page limit)
- Two References who are familiar with the applicant’s work – preferably law school faculty members, supervising attorneys, or anyone who can accurately and knowledgeably describe the applicant’s commitment to public service (see Addendum)
Please submit all application materials to ejw.mountainregion@gmail.com.
Eligibility Criteria: To be considered for the 2016 Equal Justice Works Public Interest Awards, applicants must:
- Be a current law student at an Equal Justice Works member school
- Have a demonstrated commitment to public interest law and pro bono work
The following activities are illustrative of the qualifications that could comprise a successful application:
- Extraordinary service as an intern, extern, or pro bono volunteer with a legal service provider
- Development of a pro bono or public interest project
- Founding, creating, or leading a student-run organization dedicated to pro bono or public interest law
- Expanding an existing pro bono or public interest program
Recipients will be honored during an Award Ceremony with a commemorative plaque and a monetary award of $250.
Selection Criteria: Award recipients will be recognized for their exceptional contributions and achievements in one or more of the following areas:
- Commitment: An extraordinary commitment to service to public service as: an intern, extern, or pro bono volunteer with a legal service provider; the developer of a pro bono or public interest project; a founder or leader of a student-run organization; a leader of an existing pro bono or public interest program (30 points)
- Impact: The quality of work performed as a public interest law student and the significance of their work on the community, fellow students, and law school (30 points)
- Creativity/ Originality: New, expanded, or unique improvements on the traditional delivery of public interest or pro bono legal services (15 points)
- Permanence/Replicability: Likelihood that the student’s project will be continued beyond their tenure in law school and/or could be implemented by other law students or legal service providers (15 points)
- Longevity: Long-term interest in becoming a nonprofit, government, or public interest attorney or continuing to participate in pro bono activities throughout a legal career (10 points)