Public Interest Practicum to receive state bar Access to Justice Award

Abstract

Public Interest Practicum to receive state bar Access to Justice Award

The School of Law's Public Interest Practicum has been selected as the 2019 Group Recipient of the State Bar of Georgia Law School Excellence in Access to Justice Award. The practicum was recognized for increasing access to justice, providing high quality, innovative legal solutions and exposing the "lawyers of tomorrow the ideals of pro bono publico and professionalism."

Awarded by the State Bar of Georgia Access to Justice Committee, the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division and the Pro Bono Resource Center, this honor specifically recognizes "a law student-led activity that has excelled in participation in support of a civil pro bono or legal aid program or which has developed or has been instrumental in the development of a civil pro bono program satisfying previously unmet civil legal needs or extended services to underserved segments of the population."

For almost 30 years, School of Law students participating in the Public Interest Practicum have provided legal services to the indigent, unrepresented and homeless in the Athens-Clarke County area under the supervision of a licensed attorney. The service work is accompanied by a seminar on poverty law that exposes students to innovative ways to bridge the justice gap.

"These students will not see their work featured in published court opinions or newspaper headlines, but the work merits recognition," the nomination materials state. "PIP students are worthy recipients for this honor because they embody all that is good about the law as a service profession. They not only learn to practice, but develop empathy and client-centered skills that will serve them throughout their careers while serving those who truly have no place else to turn for legal help."

The award will be formally presented at the state bar's Pro Bono Awards Reception on November 12.

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