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NINE UGA LAW STUDENTS RECEIVE PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIPS

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Thursday, July 6, 2000

WRITER: Matt Haney, (706) 542-5172

CONTACT: Tom Eaton, (706) 542-5177

NINE UGA LAW STUDENTS RECEIVE PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWSHIPS

ATHENS, Ga. - Nine law students from the University of Georgia School of Law are gaining practical experience and helping the public this summer through fellowships supporting their public interest work. The money was chiefly generated by the Equal Justice Foundation (EJF), a law student organization, which raised funds through a benefit auction, pledge drive and several other projects throughout the academic year. The number of this summer's fellowships matches last year's record high.

The annual EJF awards provide grants to law students who engage in public interest legal work in positions which otherwise would not be funded - serving such diverse clients as the state, children, battered women, minorities, environmental interest groups, death row inmates, land trusts and the mentally ill.

Recipients of 2000 Summer EJF Fellowships and their placements, are: Valerie Denise Billingsley, a rising third-year law student who received the Borchard Foundation Elder Law Fellowship - The Georgia Legal Services Program; Garnetta D. Burns, a rising second-year law student - The Honorable Gregory A. Adams, DeKalb County Juvenile Court; Brandon L. Bowen, a rising third-year law student - Southern Environmental Law Center; Melissa Gross, a rising second-year law student - American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia; Fakiha Khan, a rising third-year law student - Interrights; Leslie Kulbersh, a rising third-year law student who won the Edward D. and Carol J. Spurgeon Public Interest Fellowship - National Association for Protection and Advocacy Systems; Peter R. Simmons, a rising third-year law student - Georgia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts; Chad Thompson, a rising third-year law student - Earth Justice Legal Defense Fund; and Jason Waymire, a rising third-year law student - Central Florida Legal Services, Inc.

"The EJF fellowship has become very competitive," says Hosch Professor Tom Eaton, EJF advisor. "A growing number of students are looking for ways to use their legal training to give something back to the community through public service. The EJF fellowship provides a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable legal experience and serve the public."

Applicants for the fellowships secured sponsoring agencies, then submitted detailed proposals explaining their summer work assignments. An EJF student committee interviewed those who applied and awarded the fellowships on the basis of the quality of the legal experience and the public service dimension of the work.

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