New PILA Plan
Funding Guarantee for Summer Public Service Jobs

By Mary Wood

Jessica Douglas worked in the Department of Justice's Criminal Division in Washington, D.C., with help from a Public Interest Law Association grant in summer 2015.

The Law School will guarantee funding for qualifying students working in public service jobs over the summer under a new plan for Public Interest Law Association (PILA) grants.

First- and second-years who meet the requirements — including volunteering a minimum number of pro bono and public service hours while in law school — will receive grants of $3,750 and $6,500 before taxes, respectively, to work for public-sector employers.

"This is an important step in the evolution of a program that has encouraged many students to pursue public service, not only during the summer, but after graduation," Dean Paul G. Mahoney said. "We could not have taken it without the support of our alumni."

Starting this year, the student-run PILA will work closely with the Mortimer Caplin Public Service Center to administer the grant application process, and the Public Service Center will handle the disbursement of grants.

Most funding for the grants comes from alumni donations through the Law School Foundation. In the past three years alone, 292 grants worth more than $1.2 million have been given to students.

"PILA grants have a long and proud tradition at the Law School. I remember vividly receiving my grant check as a 1L student to work at a public defender's office in the late 1990s," said Assistant Dean for Public Service Annie Kim ’99, director of the Public Service Center. "The program has flourished since then to become one of the best of its kind. I'm so pleased that funding will be accessible to every student who wants to dedicate a summer to public service."

PILA grants began as Student-Funded Fellowships under the Student Bar Association in 1982, when funding was provided to six students. By 1996 the Law School Foundation began matching funds raised by students.

In recent years the school has funded every student who qualified for a grant, but it was not guaranteed. Submitted applications were ranked by the PILA board, which also conducted interviews of applicants.

PILA president and third-year Reedy Swanson said he expected the new process would be easier for applicants.

"We’re thrilled to be able to take much of the uncertainty out of this process," Swanson said. "Students can focus on finding a job without having to worry about whether they'll have financial support when they do."

PILA typically raises funds through its fall auction, used textbook sale, and other efforts that will continue, Swanson said. Students who receive grants donate back 20 hours of service to PILA the following school year.

"We depend on the support of grantees to pay it forward to the next generation of students," Swanson said.