RALEIGH, N.C. – The Campbell Public Interest Law Students Association (CPILSA) and The A.J. Fletcher Foundation (AJF) have awarded seven grants to students for their upcoming work in public interest this summer. CPILSA will fund two $2,500 grants, while AJF will provide five grants of $2,000 each.
“Our students cherish opportunities to serve and learn at the same time,” said Campbell Law Director of Student Life & Pro Bono Opportunities Monica Webb. “Many Campbell Law students wish to help those in need but are prevented from doing so because of financial challenges. These seven grants will allow our students to fulfill their passion of assisting area neighbors in need.
“We are grateful to The A.J. Fletcher Foundation for funding five grants and commend their deep commitment to providing legal access to members of our community in need.”
Rising third-year students Floyd “Trey” H. Cooke, III and Melissa Botiglione received CPILSA grants and will work at the Office of the Federal Public Defender. Rising second-year students Joonu-Noel A. Coste (Disability Rights N.C.) and Jacqueline Murillo Figueroa (Legal Aid of N.C.) as well as rising third-year students Amy Smith (Pisgah Legal Services), Monique Kreisman (Wake County District Attorney’s Office) and Shannon Gurwitch (Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office) have been awarded AJF grants.
A student led initiative, CPILSA was founded in 2010 and strives to guide Campbell Law students to rewarding careers in public interest law. The organization annually holds a silent auction, along with other fundraisers, with the proceeds ultimately aiding in funding the summer grant awards.
A long-time supporter of the law school, AJF served as the key benefactor in establishing the Goodmon Clinic at Campbell Law, which houses both the Restorative Justice Project and the Senior Law Clinic. In June 2013, AJF awarded Campbell Law a $50,000 grant to establish the Public Interest Law Fellows program.
The mission of AJF is to support nonprofit organizations in their endeavors to enrich the lives and well-being of people in North Carolina. To achieve this, AJF partners with nonprofit organizations that recognize and solve social and civic problems and provides resources to advance big, bold ideas.