September 12, 2024

Meet our 2024 PILC Grant Recipients Working in Civil Legal Aid and Nonprofits — Part One

Southwestern's Public Interest Law Committee (PILC) is a student-run organization that sponsors several events each year to raise student awareness and involvement in providing legal services for underrepresented communities and is dedicated to facilitating public interest law careers by supporting students in public interest work through fundraising efforts for the school's Public Interest Law Summer Grant Program.

We want to recognize these students and their incredible work with their Public Interest Law Committee Summer Grant. Meet our first group of 2024 PILC Grant recipients working in Civil Legal Aid and Nonprofits:

Alexandria Alcala

Summer Placement: Jenesse Center, Inc.

This summer was an incredibly rewarding experience for me. I was thrilled to witness firsthand the practice of law through a trauma-informed, multi-disciplinary, holistic approach. This methodology not only enhanced my understanding of the legal field but also deepened my empathy for clients navigating complex and emotionally charged situations.

One of the most memorable experiences was working with clients who had endured significant trauma. Guiding them through the legal process, while ensuring their emotional well-being was prioritized, was both challenging and fulfilling. 

In addition to the practical skills I developed, I had the chance to collaborate with professionals from various disciplines, which enriched my perspective and highlighted the importance of a well-rounded approach to legal practice. The work environment itself played a significant role in making this summer such a positive experience. The organization prioritizes self-care and fosters a healthy, supportive atmosphere where interns are encouraged to maintain a balanced approach to their work. This focus on well-being not only improved my productivity but also ensured that I could give my best to each client and case.

Nathan Barukh

Summer Placement: Bet Tzedek Legal Services

One of the most impactful experiences was observing my assigned attorney secure a guardianship at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse for a young client. I had assisted in preparing the paperwork for similar cases, and seeing the relief on the client’s face after the judge made the decision made me realize how powerful legal work can be in changing lives. I was particularly inspired when I learned that my attorney had learned Spanish specifically to make clients more comfortable, and that the court provided an interpreter to ensure the client had full access to justice. I can only imagine what it must feel like to know that legally someone is responsible for your needs and that you’re one step closer to obtaining a green card. This experience deepened my commitment to public interest law and reaffirmed the importance of advocacy.

Shara Darden

Summer Placement: Public Counsel

Throughout my legal education, I have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to fighting for human rights and advocating for progressive change in social, educational, and economic systems. While clerking at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and participating in a practicum with Southwestern’s Eviction Defense Clinic, I saw firsthand how systems and institutions perpetuate harm against historically marginalized communities. During my work on the Tenant Defense Project at Inner City Law Center, I helped staff attorneys defend clients against Unlawful Detainer claims, deepening my passion for housing justice. These experiences taught me how to build strong relationships with clients, understand their unique needs, and develop strategic legal arguments resulting in positive outcomes for many individuals and families. While defense work is still much needed, my commitment to movement lawyering pushes me towards affirmatively using my personal and professional experience to support grassroots organizations in their advocacy and policy work. This is where I see tremendous opportunities to have a broader scale impact on large populations of economically disadvantaged communities and communities of color.

Maya Dilanian

Summer Placement: Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law

This summer, I set a personal goal to make a meaningful difference in at least one client’s life, and I'm proud to say I achieved that. One case that stood out was one involving a domestic violence restraining order, where I was responsible for preparing and filing the necessary documents. When the temporary restraining order was granted, I received a heartfelt call from the client, who expressed immense gratitude for the support and work I put into their case. Knowing that my efforts contributed to their safety and peace of mind was incredibly rewarding and reinforced my commitment to this line of work.

Andres Fernandez

Summer Placement: Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

I feel that public service work is essential to ensure that the legal system is fair to those without a lot of resources. While the right to counsel is a constitutional right in criminal trials, in civil cases many low-income clients represent themselves or forgo their day in court since they can’t afford lawyers. I think that the services that pro bono attorneys and public interest organizations restore the community’s faith in the legal system since they provide low-income plaintiffs and defendants with a fighting chance. What makes me very passionate about public interest groups is the fact that they don’t make it easy for wealthy litigants to obtain summary judgment because a low-income defendant doesn’t respond to the suit. I plan to commit part of my time as an attorney to serve the low-income community of Los Angeles, even if I end up in the private sector. I find it rewarding to be a thorn in the side of litigious groups that prey on those who have no resources to defend themselves, and I hope I can continue this work in the future. 

I am very thankful to the Public Interest Law Committee for providing me with the PILC grant, and for all the wonderful work they do to encourage students to participate in public service, and to connect employers with those who want to make a difference. 

Vanessa Hernandez

Summer Placement: Al Otro Lado

The intersectionality of my identities as a Latina, first-generation student, are truly what brought me to law school. I understand the need of serving the public because I experienced it first hand. To me, obtaining this law degree is a grand privilege, and I aim to use the knowledge and skills I acquire during my time at Southwestern, to help those who need it. I plan to incorporate public interest or pro bono practice into my career by working with non-profit organizations that directly serve the Inland Empire community.

About the PILC Summer Grant Program

Southwestern's PILC Summer Grant program was established in 1990 with the mission of providing financial support to selected recipients seeking full-time summer clerkships with legal services organizations providing no-cost assistance to underserved, marginalized communities. This program makes it possible for students to acquire the legal training and education necessary to address the lack of access to legal services for indigent communities while also alleviating Southwestern students' financial burden of acquiring more educational loans in order to do so.

PILC sincerely thanks our donors and supporters for your invaluable contributions to this program benefiting Southwestern students. PILC's mission is to help create a community where Southwestern students, staff, faculty, and alumni are educated and incentivized to participate in issues concerning and advancing the public interest, and it is your support of this mission that is vital in helping us reach our fundraising goals each year. 

The student deadline to apply to the 2025 PILC Summer Grant Program is March 10, 2025. Awards up to $5,000. Email publicservice@swlaw.edu for more information.