In conjunction with its Centennial, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law will host its Eleventh Annual Justice Fellowship Auction on April 13, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. at the Detroit Golf Club. This yearly auction funds the Public Interest Fellowship Program. UDM Law students receiving fellowship funds spend approximately eight weeks as summer interns working in the public interest and serving or advocating for the poor and disadvantaged members of society. Since the program’s inception, more than 90 students have been awarded this prestigious fellowship.
The University of Detroit Mercy Student Bar Association in conjunction with UDM Law’s Justice Committee work year round to solicit sponsorships and items for the auction. Every year the auction attendees have fun while raising money for a cause that supports worthwhile organizations. This year should be no exception as the Student Bar Association and Justice Committee have adopted the theme, “Remembering and Celebrating 100 Years.” All are welcome to join us to remember and enjoy the history, the culture, and the cuisine of years past.
These types of charitable events benefit everyone involved and the auction is no exception. While the public interest organizations reap the benefit of extra labor in the summer, which correspondingly benefits those individuals that the organization serves, the students also benefit. The students gain experience in their chosen profession while helping those in need. Student’s participation in this program often reaffirms the student’s commitment to public service. UDM Law strives to teach students to be both skilled practitioners and compassionate professionals. The Public Interest Fellowship Program expands UDM Law’s long-standing tradition of service to the community and provides students the opportunity to succeed while making a difference in the community.
Students selected to receive the fellowships have in the past years worked mostly for organizations here in Michigan, including Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Freedom House, Elder Law Center of Neighborhood Legal Services, City of Detroit Human Rights Department and Salvation Army’s William Booth Legal Aid Clinic. However, several students have worked nationally, for example, with the Mississippi Center of Legal Service, ProSeniors of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Innocence Project of Florida. Additionally, a handful of students have worked for international organizations, such as the Association of Defense Counsel-International Criminal Tribunal, The Hague, and the African Women’s Lawyer’s Association in Accra, Ghana. Thus, not only does the Public Interest Fellowship Program benefit organizations near and far, but the benefit is to all types of organizations servicing all type of needs.
Last summer, Scarlett Akkram worked for the Chaldean Federation. She assisted attorneys who are volunteering their time to help the Federation’s clients. She sat in on the meetings between the attorney and the Iraqi clients who were seeking help with immigration issues. She was particularly valuable in this role as she spoke Chaldean and was at times able to facilitate the conversation between the attorney and clients. She then helped the attorneys prepare the case files. Additionally, Laura Gibson worked for the State Appellate Defender’s Office. While there, she worked with one attorney on a daily basis performing research and drafting motions. She generally completed at least one research or drafting problem a week, learning the valuable skill of time management while helping redress clients’ rights.
These are just two examples of the Program’s value to the students, to the organizations, and ultimately, most importantly, to the people in need that these organizations serve.
Recognizing the great need, this annual auction is an important part of UDM Law’s mission and commitment to service, to the community, and to society. Over the auction’s history, the legal community, the local business communities, and the UDM Law students, faculty, administrators, and alumni have generously donated items, time, and money recognizing the importance of the Public Interest Fellowship Program. The hope is that this year’s auction will be even more successful, allowing more fellowships to be funded thereby allowing UDM Law to realize its mission to support organizations servicing those in need locally, nationally, and abroad while also teaching students to be skilled and compassionate professionals.
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