Sammons Family Charitable Foundation Supports Public Interest Law Students

The Sammons Family Charitable Foundation has generously donated $5,000 to the Lezak Legacy Endowment Fund at Lewis & Clark Law School. The Foundation intends to make this an annual commitment to support Lezak Legacy Program.

The Sammons’ gift will play a critical role in building the Lezak endowment which provides stipends to support students working in public interest and social justice organizations. The Sammons Foundation gift means students will continue to be able to work with organizations that might not otherwise be able to afford legal assistance.

Established in 2012, the Lezak Legacy Program celebrates Sid Lezak’s legacy by providing stipends and mentorship to law students pursuing social change. The selected students, Lezak Legacy Fellows, commit to spend the summer working at organizations that support public interest and social justice in Oregon and gain valuable legal experience.

Edward and Jennifer Sammons along with their children Tyler and Parker, founded the Sammons Family Charitable Foundation in 2020. “It is so important right now to support programs like this,” stated Jennifer and Edward Sammons. “We hold Sid in exceptionally high regard and are thrilled we can continue his legacy by supporting public interest law students.”

Jennifer Johnson, Dean of Lewis & Clark Law School noted, “It is through the generosity of donors like the Sammons family that law students are able to fulfill their dream of using the law to help others in need. We have a strong public interest program at the law school that is ranked #2 in the nation for public interest employment in 2019. The Lezak summer stipends give our students the critical practical experience that propels them to be leaders in public interest law.”

Sid Lezak was a lawyer, an activist, a mediator, and an inspiration. He was the longest-serving U.S. Attorney in the country and father of alternative dispute resolution in Oregon. He demonstrated his love for his profession and community through his strong commitment to public service and mentoring others.

Jennifer Sammons grew up next door to the Lezaks and is still close to the family, making this gift in honor of Muriel Lezak, Sid Lezak’s wife.