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Office of Public Interest

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Benefits & Responsibilities of Scholars

Build your network.

  • Monthly Meetings
    First year PIPS scholars meet monthly with the Office of Public Interest and other PIPS scholars.
  • Networking
    Scholars have many opportunities to develop relationships with other PIPS Scholars and PIPS Scholar Alumni while at 51²è¹ÝWCL, ultimately graduating into a global network of other like-minded lawyers whom they can call upon throughout their professional careers.
  • Mentoring
    Each scholar is assigned a faculty mentor, upper-class PIPS Scholar mentor, and alumni mentor to assist them in the transition to law school and throughout their academic career
  • Special Programming
    PIPS scholars participate in special programming such as academic roundtables; advising sessions; faculty meetings; and career counseling created just for them.

Lead your community.

Each scholar commits to giving back to the 51²è¹ÝWCL community, organizing programs and public service events that help inspire their law student colleagues to participate in pro bono activities and public interest advocacy.

  • In My Back Yard (IMBY) Public Service Day
    In order to enhance the awareness and interest of the entire 51²è¹ÝWCL community towards public service, during the spring semester and through the summer following the first year, PIPS Scholars plan and organize a public service day (IMBY) for the next incoming first-year class, to precede 51²è¹ÝWCL's formal orientation program.
  • Pro Bono
    Scholars must participate in 51²è¹ÝWCL's Pro Bono Honors Pledge Program, which requires that 75 hours of pro bono and/or public interest work be completed by graduation.
  • Service Projects
    Second and third-year PIPS Scholars work with the Office of Public Interest to develop a public service project that includes representation and/or advocacy on behalf of underrepresented, low-income, or otherwise disadvantaged individuals and communities. Scholars also commit to fully engage in the WCL public interest community by taking leadership roles in student groups and publications.
  • Post-Graduate Public Service Work
    Scholars commit to pursue public interest/public service employment after graduation.
  • Matriculation. Scholars are expected to maintain matriculation at 51²è¹Ý Washington College of Law until graduation.

As a condition of receiving the scholarship, incoming PIPS Scholars will be asked to sign an agreement indicating their understanding and acceptance of the foregoing terms and conditions of the award.