Stipend Process Explained

Part One: Background

The Public Interest Law Project was organized by law students in 1990 as a chapter of the National Association of Public Interest Law (NAPIL). PILP is dedicated to encouraging law students to pursue public interest careers. PILP's primary goals are two-fold: (1) providing summer stipends for students working in public interest law; and (2) establishing a loan repayment program for graduates choosing to pursue in careers in the public interest profession. An annual auction and other fund-raising efforts have allowed PILP to award ten to fifteen stipends per summer. Summer stipend recipients have worked for a variety of organizations, dealing with issues such as children's rights, environmental protection, domestic violence, and civil rights.

PILP's Stipend Program enjoys broad financial support. Contributors include Lewis & Clark students, faculty and staff; the Oregon legal community; and the Pacific Northwest at large. The Law School also generously supports the stipend program through an annual gift. The number of stipends awarded annually depends on the success of the PILP auction and other efforts. In 2007, PILP awarded thirteen stipends.

Part Two: Eligibility

Requirements for stipend recipients:

• Lewis & Clark Law School student with a 2.0 GPA or higher.

• Completed at least one year of law school by June 2008.

• Will be either in school or in the Portland area for the 2008-2009 school year.

• Completed at least 10 hours of volunteer work for the 2008 PILP auction

• Completed at least 20 hours of volunteer work for a public interest organization between June 2007 and March 2008. This work need not be legal. Any work that qualifies for either the pro bono or community service honors award through Career Services will qualify. Law review, SBA, and many other student groups do not qualify. Please check with the VP of Stipends and/or Career Services to ensure that your volunteer hours will qualify.

• Cannot be a previous recipient of a PILP stipend

• Stipend recipients are required to chair an Auction committee the year following the receipt of the stipend and are required to submit a photo and 1-page essay in September describing the work they completed over the summer with their PILP stipend

  Part Three: Application Criteria

  The PILP Stipend Decision Committee will evaluate applications based on:

  The Job:

• Is the position well-defined?

• How great is the public interest need the position is filling?

• Will the project make a measurable contribution to the student’s legal education?

• Is the project unique and creative?

  The Applicant:

• Total number of pro bono hours contributed to PILP

• Total number of pro bono hours and/or community service hours both in general and to the field being pursued.

• Suitability of applicant for proposed employment (e.g.: experience in area, coursework, etc.).

• Demonstrated commitment to public service or public interest law.

  The Employer:

• Quality of supervision provided to the student (absent extenuating circumstances, supervision by a practicing attorney is required).

• Organization’s contribution to the public interest.

• Organization’s financial need & the anticipated benefit to the organization of a stipend recipient.

• Organizations status as a nonprofit or other entity?

  Part Four: Getting Started

  Finding an organization:

  • Check out the PILP website for ideas -- organizations who have received stipends and the recipients are listed on the website.

  • Ask the Career Services Pro Bono Coordinator to assist you in finding a prospective employer.

  • Attend the Pro Bono Information panels sponsored by Career Services.

  • Visit Career Services: Check out the "Green Book" which lists non-profits across the country. Make an appointment to talk to the very knowledgeable career services counselors.

  Develop a project(s): Talk with your organization about their needs and how you can help. Work with the organization to develop a plan for your summer employment.

  Application Procedure:

  • Pick up the application and review it carefully. There are sections to be completed by the student and the employer. Make sure to submit the entire application by the due date and make sure it is submitted without your name on it.

  • Do not delay! It takes time and effort to locate an organization, develop a project, and complete the application, but it is worth it!

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