Public Interest: Programs
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Pro Bono Honors Pledge Program
Through the Pro Bono Honors Pledge Program, American University Washington College of Law students can pledge to complete 75 hours of pro bono and community service work at organizations working on behalf of underprivileged and underrepresented populations. At least 50 hours of the pro bono work completed must be with an organization engaged primarily in law-related or legal work. However, students may complete up to 25 of their 75 hours in non-legal community service work, enabling first-year law students to participate in the program immediately. Students successfully completing the program are honored at graduation and during the student public service awards ceremony held each spring. Currently, over 180 WCL students are participating in the Pledge.
Over eighty members of the class of 2007 completed the Pro Bono Honors Pledge performing over 18,696 hours of pro bono work - an average of 230 hours per participant. This is the greatest amount of pro bono work of any WCL class to date. The Pro Bono Excellence Award went to Theresa Harris, a third-year PIPS scholar who completed the greatest number of pro bono hours (779).
Public Interest/Public Service Scholarship Program (PIPS)
PIPS provides up to 10 three-year, full-tuition scholarships to entering students each year. Scholars are selected on the basis of demonstrated commitment to public interest and public service as well as outstanding academic and leadership abilities. Scholars attend monthly meetings and organize programs and public service events such as the IMBY (In My Back Yard) Public Service Day, the 1L Public Interest Roundtables and a variety of public interest programs and events for students. Scholars agree to spend three of their first five years out of law school in full-time public interest or public service employment. http://wcl.american.edu/finaid/pipsscholarship.cfm.
Public Interest Loan Repayment Assistance Program (PILRAP)
Central to the educational mission of the American University Washington College of Law (WCL) is the belief that law is based on the inherent dignity of all individuals. WCL graduates have a proud history of building upon that core belief. Many of WCL's alumni enter into careers for the public interest, carrying forward the institution's long-standing commitment to use the law as a tool for positive change in our society. Unfortunately, given the extraordinary rise in the cost of higher education and the resulting debt burden with which students graduate, a career in public interest is not economically viable without outside assistance. As a demonstration of its ongoing commitment to see its graduates apply the law to the greater good, WCL implemented the Public Interest Loan Repayment Assistance Program (PILRAP).
PILRAP helps relieve economic burden imposed by educational debt by providing loan repayment assistance for JD graduates who work in full-time non-profit, government or other employment in which the graduate is engaged in serving under-represented or traditionally marginalized populations. For more information about the PILRAP program, go to www.wcl.american.edu/finaid/pilrap.cfm.
In My Back Yard (IMBY) Public Service Day
IMBY provides an opportunity for incoming students to kick off orientation in the spirit of public service by working side by side with faculty, staff and returning students in an informal, fun environment while performing public service in the local community. In 2006, over 150 participants tackled a variety of projects working with DC Central Kitchen, Bread for the City, the MLK Transitional Shelter, So Others Might Eat (SOME) and the Women's Collective. IMBY Is organized each year by the Office of Public Interest and the Public Interest/Public Service (PIPS) Scholars, and is sponsored by the Office of the Dean.
Peter M. Cicchino Student Public Service Awards Dinner
This annual event is held in honor of beloved former WCL Professor Peter M. Cicchino, who passed away in 2000. Professor Cicchino was a brilliant scholar and teacher, and a brave and creative public interest lawyer, who among many other accomplishments founded the Lesbian and Gay Youth Project at the Urban Justice Center in New York City.
The Cicchino Awards Dinner is the academy awards of student public interest and pro bono work. Students are recognized at a sumptuous dinner before their peers, faculty and staff for a variety of awards and accomplishments, including: completion of the Pro Bono Honors Pledge Program, the WCL Community Service Award, external pro bono and public service awards, post-graduate public interest fellowships, and the Cicchino Awards themselves.
Public Interest Speed Networking Event
This fast-paced fun event provides an opportunity for second- and third-year WCL students to meet with local public interest and government lawyers, polish their informational interviewing skills, and learn about a variety of public interest organizations.
Public Interest Roundtables
Called by some, "The most fascinating hour I have had at WCL," the Public Interest Roundtables bring together 1L students with faculty, alumni and local practitioners over lunch in an informal setting to discuss the public interest aspects of first-year courses. A detailed schedule will be posted early in the Fall semester.
Public Interest Wire Newsletter
The Public Interest Wire Newsletter highlights the public service work of WCL students, alumni and faculty. The newsletter is currently being revamped and will return soon!
