Law School's Summer Public Service Fellowship Program sets new record

by Jaime Welch-Donahue | June 3, 2010

William & Mary Law School has awarded $300,000 in Summer Public Service Fellowships to 109 rising second and third-year students. This is the most money ever awarded and the largest number of students to receive summer fellowships in the program's history, school officials said. Students will work at 91 non-profit organizations and government agencies in 18 states, the District of Columbia, and seven other countries. In 2009, the school awarded $282,231 in fellowships to 104 students.

Law School Dean Davison M. Douglas said he is proud that the school is able to provide support to more students this year. "This is consistent with the Law School's commitment to public service," he said. Since 2003, more than 700 law students have received fellowships through the program to support their public service work in more than 20 countries.

Associate Dean Robert Kaplan directs public service initiatives at the Law School. He lauded the summer fellowships for "making a meaningful difference to the public service fabric of the Law School, the lives of our students, and the organizations and clients they serve."

Support for the program comes from the student body's Public Service Fund, law alumni, the College and the Law School, endowments, and law firms that interview on campus. The Virginia Law Foundation, the Virginia State Bar's Criminal Law Section, and William & Mary's Christopher Wren Association also provide grant support.

A list of fellowship recipients is available on the Law School's website.