The New Hampshire Bar Foundation recently funded a “Public Interest Fellowship” for a Franklin Pierce Law Center (FPLC) student to serve as an unpaid intern at one of New Hampshire’s nonprofit, public interest organizations during the summer of 2006. To raise additional funds to support 20 fellowships this year, the Public Interest Coalition at FPLC will hold its 14th Annual PIC Auction on March 24, 2006, at the Courtyard Marriott at the Grappone Center in Concord. Artwork, professional services, and exotic vacations are included among the donated auction items. Pre-auction viewing and silent auction begin at 5 p.m.; the live auction begins at 7 p.m.

The law students selected as PIC Fellows work with nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies serving the legal needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged clients, both locally and nationally. Fellowship awards are competitive and non-partisan, based on the merit and strength of a student’s application. “The purpose of these awards is to enable law students to help provide access to justice for under-represented individuals and groups and to encourage these future lawyers to understand and appreciate the importance of public interest and pro bono work,” says Brigette Siff Holmes, director of the Social Justice Institute at the Law Center.

The $3500 fellowship awards provide a stipend to help cover living expenses for unpaid interns during their three months of service. Eighteen fellowships were awarded in 2005. “Although I chose law as my career path, it was not until last summer that I fully realized I had made the right decision,” said Erin Callahan, class of 2007, after her internship at the NH Commission on the Status of Women and her involvement with the Commission’s effort to improve the NH Corrections System for Women. Alicia Novi, class of 2007, worked at New Hampshire Disabilities Rights Center and commented, “Every day at the Disabilities Rights Center brought a new experience and challenge and I always looked forward to going to work…I know my future will include disabilities rights advocacy, be it full time or pro bono.”

The Public Interest Coalition, a student organization at the Law Center, is organized to increase awareness and promote the practice of public interest law. Students serving as PIC co-chairs this year include Alicia Novi, Sarah Brown, Sheila Burnham, Matthew Hintz, and Erin Callahan. Donated items are welcome through March 17 for the March 24 auction. More information about PIC and the auction can be found at www.piercepic.org.

Among the 430 foundations in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Bar Foundation is the only one whose primary objective is to ensure equal justice for all New Hampshire residents. Through strategic philanthropic funding decisions, the Bar Foundation seeks to address the root causes of inequity and educate New Hampshire citizens about the law and the courts. The Bar Foundation is the single largest supporter of civil legal aid in New Hampshire.

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