Thanks to Donors, Five Law Students Will Serve Communities This Summer Through Public Interest Fellowships

Each year, more than 45 percent of University of St. Thomas School of Law alumni participate in annual giving, with many giving to the UST-MJF Public Interest Fellowship (PILF) designation. The 3L Class Gift raises money for the PILF, in addition to funding a tangible gift.  The Dean of the School of Law also provides a matching gift for the PILF when the 3L class reaches greater than 80 percent participation.  In addition, the UST School of Law UST Minnesota Justice Foundation (MJF) Student Chapter raises money for summer public interest fellowships through fundraising efforts, for example its silent auction, mitten sales, chili cook-off.

Because of alumni giving, the class of 2014’s participation in its 3L class gift, the Dean’s match, and UST-MJF Student Chapter fundraising, this year a total of $18,000 in Public Interest Fellowships (PILF) were awarded, specifically, $12,000 from alumni donors, the 3L Class Gift, and the Dean’s match; and another $6,000 from the UST-MJF student chapter. UST School of Law is pleased to announce that this summer, five students will serve the following organizations that are the recipients of the PILF funds:

  • Ashley Steinberg, Southern MN Regional Legal Services SW Region (Mankato);
  • Amanda Brodhag, Monterey County Public Defender’s Office;
  • Teri Guhl, International Justice Mission in Uganda;
  • Katherine Grohs, Fraser; and,
  • Eric Penniston, MN Coalition for Battered Women

UST School of Law is grateful to all donors and the UST-MJF Student Chapter fundraising efforts for making these fellowships possible and for providing five students with valuable work experience this summer.