College News and Events

Eleven law students at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law have been chosen to participate in the prestigious 2011 Equal Justice Works Summer Corps program.

Each of the students will dedicate the summer to working on a legal project at a nonprofit public interest organization. Under supervision, Summer Corps members provide critically needed legal assistance to low-income and underserved communities across the country, and work on a broad range of issues. They receive a modest award voucher to defray their educational costs.

“Students here are encouraged to chart their own paths, and to identify career experiences that reflect their passions,“ noted Paula Nailon, Assistant Dean for Professional Development. “To have so many Equal Justice Works students in one summer, a relatively small school, reflects very well on our institutional commitment to public service and the strong ethic our students have in serving others. It’s a record for us.”

Students selected were:

• Ashley Blum and Ana Castillo, who will work at the Florence Immigration & Refugee Rights Project;
• Sheila Gholkar, who will spend her summer at the East Bay Community Law Center in San Francisco;
• Jared Jorde and Jilian Marini, who both plan to work with Community Legal Services in Phoenix;
• Eleanor Knowles, who will also be in Phoenix at the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office;
• Kristin McManus and Jessica Zink, who will be working at the Yuma Legal Defender’s Office;
• Matthew McReynolds, who will live in Window Rock, AZ while working for DNA Legal Services;
• Lisa Pferdeort, who will serve at the Arizona Capital Representation Project; and
• Jessica Ross, who will dedicate her summer to the Arizona Center for Disability.

Summer Corps is an AmeriCorps-funded program that, in 2011, will provide 700 law students across with country with summer opportunities. Summer Corps members gain first-hand experience and legal skills in areas such as client intake, representation, and legal research and writing. Students are selected through a competitive process.

Posted:05/31/2011