USF Public Interest Law Foundation

By far one of the greatest ways USF Public Interest Law Foundation helps to make an impact in our community is by providing grants to USF Law students who choose to pursue unpaid summer legal work. This past summer, 25 remarkable students were selected to each receive grants of $4,000. We are proud to offer these grants through the generous donations we receive throughout the year as well as through several fundraising events sponsored by USF and PILF.

Our largest fundraising opportunity is the Annual PILF Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala and Auction takes place on November 4th. As the Auction draws nearer, we want to take a moment to introduce our most recent 2011 Summer Grantees in the Q&A’s below.

3L Matthew Olsman Travelled to New Orleans This Past Summer To Tackle Environmental Law.

Matthew Jacob Olsman was born and raised in Los Angeles. He attended the University of San Francisco as an undergraduate. This past summer he worked for the Gulf Restoration Network (GRN) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Why did you choose law school, and why USF in particular? 

I wanted to be a lawyer since I was young.  I chose USF because of my level of comfort with San Francisco, and the generous first-year scholarship the school offered me.

What kind of work did you do this summer?

I helped the GRN draft legal memos to send to the White House regarding future actions the Federal government can take to prevent future disasters like the Deepwater Horizon explosion last year.

What do you find most interesting about the work you are doing or the organization you are working for?

The most interesting thing about my work is learning the ins and outs of the various environmental law statutory frameworks that are in place, and how to use them to achieve a healthier planet and preserve the wetlands areas.

Are you interested in public interest legal work as a career? What sort of law would you like to practice? 

I am interested in a career that will help people who need someone who understands the law. Whether that is a traditional public interest field or not, I’m not sure. Wherever my talents best serve those in need is where I want to be. I’m extremely interested in international criminal law, as well as environmental law and immigration law.

By far one of the greatest ways USF Public Interest Law Foundation helps to make an impact in our community is by providing grants to USF Law students who choose to pursue unpaid summer legal work. This past summer, 25 remarkable students were selected to each receive grants of $4,000.We are proud to offer these grants through the generous donations we receive throughout the year as well as through several fundraising events sponsored by USF and PILF.

Our largest fundraising opportunity is the Annual PILF Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala and Auction takes place on November 4th. As the Auction draws nearer, we want to take a moment to introduce our most recent 2011 Summer Grantees in the Q&A’s below.

Interested In Juvenile Law?  3L Melanie Meneses Breaks Down The Basics Below

Melanie Meneses is from Rancho Palos Verdes.  She attended the University of San Francisco as an undergraduate student. This past summer she worked at the Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles (CLC).

 
Why did you choose law school, and why USF in particular? 

I’ve always wanted to work with children. For a while I considered becoming a social worker, but then I noticed the limitations of that profession. Social workers are great advocates, but they can’t avoid the inevitable legal barrier. As a lawyer, it’s a different playing field. The law isn’t a barrier blocking us from our goals; it’s the tool we use to realize them.

What kind of work did you do this summer? 

CLC represents the abused and neglected foster youth of Los Angeles country. As child’s counsel, it’s CLC’s goal to keep families together and ensure families receive the social services they need to maintain a healthy household. When parents can’t maintain a healthy and safe household, its CLC’s job to protect children from further abuse and neglect. We advocate taking them out of destructive homes and work to find permanent placement with relatives, legal guardians, and foster parents.

Everyday I worked directly with our clients to assess their emotional and physical needs. Through interviews and phone calls, I tried to assess the child’s current living situation and determine what social services were needed to maintain his/her safety. I considered factors like the severity of the abuse/neglect, the parent’s willingness to comply with court orders, and the child’s own wishes when making my recommendations to the court.

What do you find most interesting about the work you are doing or the organization you are working for?

The dynamic of the courtroom. I have heard it’s not like this in most courts, but in mine child’s counsel, parent’s counsel, and county counsel, although technically adverse parties, seem to really work together toward a common goal: protecting children.

 Are you interested in public interest legal work as a career? What sort of law would you like to practice? 

 Definitely. Representing disadvantaged youth is really rewarding and I hope to work for an organization like CLC in the future.

By far one of the greatest ways USF Public Interest Law Foundation helps to make an impact in our community is by providing grants to USF Law students who choose to pursue unpaid summer legal work. This past summer, 25 remarkable students were selected to each receive grants of $4,000. We are proud to offer these grants through the generous donations we receive throughout the year as well as through several fundraising events sponsored by USF and PILF.

Our largest fundraising opportunity is the Annual PILF Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala and Auction takes place on November 4th. As the Auction draws nearer, we want to take a moment to introduce our most recent 2011 Summer Grantees in the Q&A’s below.

 Alexia Mayorga Shares What Great Experience Working For A Judge Can Be 

Alexia Cristina Mayorga is from Danville, CA. She attended Santa Clara University as an undergraduate.  This past summer she worked for the Honorable Judge Garrett Wong. Judge Wong oversees Domestic Violence, Behavioral Health and Mental Health.

 Why did you choose law school, and why USF in particular?  

As a child I always dreamed of going to law school and thought it was a perfect fit for my personality. During my time at Santa Clara University I pursued legal internships in the public sector field. The work I was exposed to while interning at the Santa Clara Public Defender’s Officer solidified my decision to attend law school. I decided to attend USF Law because of their commitment to public sector work, in addition to their great reputation and sense of community I received while visiting the campus.

What kind of work did you do this summer?

This summer I was an extern for Judge Wong and observed his departments’ calendars, which include domestic violence, mental health and behavioral health calendars. During the summer I observed Judge Wong and assisted in projects concerning his behavior health court, which is a very successful collaborate court in San Francisco County. Also, I did research as to his mental health calendar (sexually violent predatory probable cause hearings, and competency proceedings).

What do you find most interesting about the work you are doing or the organization you are working for?

The most interesting part of my summer externship was the ability to see a collaborative court in action. The way Judge Wong’s behavioral health court operates is drastically different from what we are used to seeing in criminal courts. In the behavioral health court defendants are referred to as clients and seen as equals. Additionally, they are given the chance to prove themselves in the community, which leads to a rehabilitative approach to the criminal justice process as opposed to a punitive approach.

In addition to the BHC calendar, the domestic violence calendar allows me to witness negotiations by district attorneys and defense attorneys which lead to early dispositions. Witnessing the different negotiating styles is very educational. Judge Wong’s mental health calendar has introduced me to the complicated world of mental health proceedings and sexually violent predator probable cause hearings. All of these areas of the law receive minimal attention, and there are very few lawyers who specialize in it. By being able to witness these proceedings I am being introduced into an area of law that many lawyers, let alone law students know little about.

Are you interested in public interest legal work as a career? What sort of law would you like to practice?  

Yes, I am very interested in public interest work. I have had experience in interning for public defenders and district attorneys, and now externing with Judge Wong adds to my experience in the public interest sector. In the future I would like to practice criminal defense, but would be open to any public sector work in the criminal field.

By far one of the greatest ways USF Public Interest Law Foundation helps to make an impact in our community is by providing grants to USF Law students who choose to pursue unpaid summer legal work. This past summer, 25 remarkable students were selected to each receive grants of $4,000. We are proud to offer these grants through the generous donations we receive throughout the year as well as through several fundraising events sponsored by USF and PILF.

Our largest fundraising opportunity is the Annual PILF Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala and Auction takes place on November 4th. As the Auction draws nearer, we want to take a moment to introduce our most recent 2011 Summer Grantees in the Q&A’s below.

PILF’S Co-Chair, Amy Leifur, Opens Up About Her Summer Spent Helping Pro-Se Litigants Represent Themselves In Court.

Amy Leifur grew up in Camarillo, California, but has lived in San Francisco since 2004. She attended San Francisco State University as an undergraduate. This summer she worked for the Superior Court of California for the City and County of San Francisco in the ACCESS Center.

Why did you choose law school, and why USF in particular?
I have always loved the law and advocacy in general. I chose USF because of the support that USF provides for its students. I felt at home from the moment I stepped foot on the campus and have enjoyed the commodore and community of USF. It is a truly unique experience to attend a law school that cares so much about their students and supports their aspirations and goals, wherever those paths may take them.

What kind of work did you do this summer or what type of projects did you work on?
At the ACCESS Center I assisted pro-se litigants represent themselves in court. In addition to assisting the center’s customers I did several, regular research projects for the center regarding applicable and changing law that would affect our customers and the procedure of the court. For example, I worked on researching a newly passed California law that will require the reviewing court to grant a hearing to applicants for domestic violence and civil harassment restraining orders. Previously, the court had the discretion to limit these hearings to only applicants that were also granted a temporary restraining order.

What did you find most interesting or inspiring about the work you did or the organization you worked for?
The customers that the ACCESS Center serves were definitely the most interesting and inspiring part of my work with the Superior Court. They came from all walks of life with all kinds of interesting stories. Most of the litigants that we assisted were low-income and without our help would not be able to have adequate or appropriate access to the courts. We worked with them through the paperwork and the process of the justice system and prepared for their day in court.

Are you interested in public interest legal work as a career? What sort of law would you like to practice?
I plan on having a career as a public interest trial lawyer. I am not sure exactly what area I will focus on for my career but I have definitely committed myself to trial advocacy; being my clients voice and representative in the courtroom.

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By far one of the greatest ways USF Public Interest Law Foundation helps to make an impact in our community is by providing grants to USF Law students who choose to pursue unpaid summer legal work. This past summer, 25 remarkable students were selected to each receive grants of $4,000.We are proud to offer these grants through the generous donations we receive throughout the year as well as through several fundraising events sponsored by USF and PILF.

Our largest fundraising opportunity is the Annual PILF Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala and Auction takes place on November 4th. As the Auction draws nearer, we want to take a moment to introduce our most recent 2011 Summer Grantees in the Q&A’s below.

 2L Michael Lay Talks About His Summer At The San Joaquin Public Defender’s Office

Michael Lay, from Stockton, California, attended the University of California, Davis as an undergraduate. This past summer he worked in the San Joaquin County Public Defender’s Office.

Why did you choose law school, and why USF in particular?

I wanted the great opportunities for public interest work and experience. The diverse student body was also appealing.

What kind of work did you do this summer or what type of projects did you work on?

I gained roughly 10 hours of court experience a week (a mixture of adult, juvenile, and mental health court), interviewed indigent clients, and wrote motions and writs.

What do you find most inspiring about the work you are doing or the organization you are working for?

Public criminal defense is very emotionally and mentally challenging. I find that very exciting. The office employs very intelligent attorneys, and I was impressed everyday by their passion.

Are you interested in public interest legal work as a career? What sort of law would you like to practice?

Yes. I would like to be a public defender in the future.

By far one of the greatest ways USF Public Interest Law Foundation helps to make an impact in our community is by providing grants to USF Law students who choose to pursue unpaid summer legal work. This past summer, 25 remarkable students were selected to each receive grants of $4,000.We are proud to offer these grants through the generous donations we receive throughout the year as well as through several fundraising events sponsored by USF and PILF.

Our largest fundraising opportunity is the Annual PILF Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala and Auction takes place on November 4th. As the Auction draws nearer, we want to take a moment to introduce our most recent 2011 Summer Grantees in the Q&A’s below.

A Summer Well Spent Working In Dependency Law For 3L Liz Aleman.

Liz Aleman is from Merced, California and attended the UC Santa Barbara as an undergraduate. This summer she worked at the East Bay Children’s Law Office.

Why did you choose law school, and why USF in particular?

I choose to come to law school because I felt called to be an advocate for the poor and indigent.  I loved how USF supported this desire and actually encourages students to serve people and causes through lawyering.

 What kind of work did you do this summer, or what type of projects did you work on?  

This summer I worked in dependency law—the area that governs the child welfare system.  EBCLO represents kids in foster care in Alameda County.

 What do you find most inspiring about the work you are doing or the organization you are working for?

I love watching families change and grow.  I also love interacting with children.

 Are you interested in public interest legal work as a career? What sort of law would you like to practice?

I am interested in public interest law as a career.  I would most like to practice dependency law.

By far one of the greatest ways USF Public Interest Law Foundation helps to make an impact in our community is by providing grants to USF Law students who choose to pursue unpaid summer legal work. This past summer, 25 remarkable students were selected to each receive grants of $4,000. We are proud to offer these grants through the generous donations we receive throughout the year as well as through several fundraising events sponsored by USF and PILF.

Our largest fundraising opportunity is the Annual PILF Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala and Auction takes place on November 4th. As the Auction draws nearer, we want to take a moment to introduce our most recent 2011 Summer Grantees in the Q&A’s below.

Stephanie Huang Talks About Her Summer Internship With The Pro Bono Project of Silicon Valley

Stephanie Huang is from Los Angeles, California and graduated in 2008 from UC Berkeley.  This past summer she interned at The Pro Bono Project of Silicon Valley, a nonprofit legal organization that provides direct representation to clients with limited means.

Why did you choose law school, and why USF in particular?

I chose law school because I had worked in the Self Help Center in my senior year in college and really liked it. After trying a year in tax, which I hated, I decided I wanted to try to go to school again, and law school seemed like an interesting and challenging place to be. I’m really happy to be at USF, which is known for its public interest work and community service. I love that USF has students who are involved in the community, cooperative with and respectful of each other, and motivated to become excellent lawyers.

What kind of work did you do this summer, or what type of projects were you involved with?

The Pro Bono Project of Silicon Valley serves over 2,000 clients each year utilizing its own staff of attorneys and over 400 pro bono lawyers. Most cases involve family law matters (divorce, child custody and support, domestic violence and paternity) and guardianship, but there was also work with landlord tenant law and in the Federal Legal Assistance Self Help Project. The Pro Bono Project also holds a debtor’s rights/bankruptcy clinic twice a month. The Pro Bono Project offers training courses for attorneys and also helps staff a “Lawyers in the Library” weekly clinic for clients. I assisted Pro Bono Project attorneys in family law and guardianship cases, interviewed clients, prepared papers, conducted research and appeared in court to present motions under the State Bar of California’s Practical Training of Law Student Program.  The attorneys at the Pro Bono Project are collaborative group who are dedicated to their clients and public interest law.

What do you find most inspiring about the work you are doing or the organization you are working for?

I enjoyed my co-workers. They kept it light and laughed a lot, which is so necessary when you hear about some of the terrible situations our clients are in and what kind of lives they lead.

Are you interested in public interest legal work as a career? What sort of law would you like to practice?

Possibly – I feel called to work in public interest, but I want to keep my options open. It’s really hard to think that I may be graduating law school $150,000+ in debt and then (possibly) working at a job that makes no money…. Plus, I’m interested in many different areas of law so it’s hard to choose just one to focus on.