LRAP Application Deadlines November 1st and May 1st
Next LRAP Application Deadline – May 1, 2012
ATTENTION ALL CURRENT AND POTENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES
One feature of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, a bill passed by Congress and signed by former President Bush, will allow many public service employees to have their remaining Federal student loan balances forgiven after 10 years in qualifying employment and 10 years of qualifying payments. Since private loans will not be eligible for this program and when considering new borrowing, students that are highly likely to be employed in government or public interest positions should consider their federal loan options first. Continuing students will receive borrowing guidance to ensure that appropriate choices are made during the financial aid re-application process.
- For more information regarding Public Service eligible employment, please contact Direct Loan Servicing at 1-800-848-0979.
- For more information regarding consolidating your federal student loans with Direct Lending contact the Department of Education at 1-800-557-7392.
Additional Information on the Federal Loan Forgiveness Program:
Continuing LRAP II graduates, please click here for further LRAP II program information.
Georgetown Law Center’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP III - for new participants)
Georgetown Law’s faculty approved a plan that will enable graduates who work in the public sector for 10 years – and earn up to $75,000* a year in LRAP qualifying employment – to have all of their federal law school loans forgiven. Georgetown Law’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP III) dovetails with the federal government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
As a result of the two programs, Georgetown Law students who work for U.S.-based government agencies or nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations for 10 years after graduation in a legally related capacity (JD degree must be preferred or required), and whose LRAP qualifying income remain less than $75,000*, can borrow the entire cost of attending law school in the form of federally-guaranteed loans and have all of their loan repayments reimbursed by Georgetown Law and the remaining principal balance forgiven by the federal government. Georgetown Law benefits would continue on a diminishing basis for incomes exceeding $75,000*.
Under the federal law, federally guaranteed loans can be repaid, after graduation, through the income-based repayment (IBR) plan that generally limits repayment to approximately 10% of the borrower’s annual income. At the end of 10 years of public service, the federal government will forgive the remaining balance.
The Law Center will reimburse out-of-pocket repayments for its graduates in eligible public service, effectively ending loan repayments for those who spend 10 years working in modestly paid public interest fields. Current students and those who entered the program in 2010 will receive the full benefit of this plan.
*The $75,000 income threshold is for single or married participants (with income earning spouses) filing separate tax returns, and not receiving any other loan repayment assistance from another entity.
Married students interested in public service employment within the next year should strongly consider filing their 2011 federal tax returns separate from their spouses. The Federal Income Based Repayment (IBR) calculation will utilize your spouse's income if you file jointly. To reduce your payments as much as possible, only including your income (unless your spouse is not working) and filing separately is the best course of action.
If you decide to file your federal taxes jointly and your spouse has an income, we will use your income only and the household size to calculate your IBR payment and LRAP III award.
If you have a non-working spouse and/or dependants the amount of income you can earn to receive 100% LRAP coverage is $75,000 + 150% of the HHS Poverty amount for each additional person (current amount for 2012 is $3,960).
Starting with the January through June 2010 term, the only student loans that will be covered under the LRAP III program will be federal guaranteed student loans, and up to $100/month for Bar Loans with incomes up to $75,000.
LRAP III APPLICATION PROCESS
More information on the Loan Repayment Assistance Program
History of LRAP
Who May Apply for LRAP
General Eligibility Criteria for LRAP
Types of Eligible Employment
Disbursement of Funds
Special Considerations
LRAP Awards
LRAP Applications
LRAP II Participants Only - Program Information
LRAP Participant Profiles
History of LRAP
Georgetown Law began the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) in 1986 to assist JD graduates in pursuing careers in the field of public interest law within the U.S. as well as international opportunities. Graduates who qualify for LRAP benefits receive assistance with monthly student loan payments in the form of interest-free loans from Georgetown Law.
In 1996 the program expanded to include government employees. Since that expansion, the program was divided into two segments: LRAP I, which was open to public interest employees, and LRAP II, which was open to anyone who qualifies for LRAP I and also to government employees.
Then the Law Center faculty voted to approve changes that will greatly enhance the program as well as simplify things for prospective LRAP applicants. Effective in May 2007, LRAP I and II were combined into one program, LRAP II, that has the best features of each.
Awards are administered to participants as loans that are forgiven after six months. Thus as long as a participant in LRAP remains in his/her eligible employment during the six month term, and qualified for funding, he/she would receive forgiveness for that loan at the end of the six months.
In November 2009 the Law Center faculty approved our current LRAP III program for 2010 participants and recent graduates.
Who may apply for all LRAP programs?
Consideration is granted to JD graduates who apply within two years of graduation. Applications submitted more than two years after graduation must be accompanied by a letter of appeal explaining why the graduate is applying outside the two-year window. Such applications will be sent to the LRAP committee and if approved will be awarded as funds permit after all on-time applications have been evaluated. A graduate participating in a judicial clerkship or who are Law Fellows enrolled as students with loans not in a repayment status, which prevents the submission of an application within two years of graduation, may be granted a one-time extension until the next application deadline.
Applications for LRAP are available in October of each year, with a deadline to apply by November 1st annually. Mid-year applications are available in April of each year, with a deadline to apply by May 1st. If the 1st falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, all materials will be considered timely if they are received by the next business day.
General Eligibility Criteria for all LRAP programs
JD Graduates owing outstanding balances on their Georgetown University student account are not eligible to apply for LRAP funds until the balance owed is paid in full.
Graduates in arrears on student loan payments are not eligible to participate in LRAP until all accounts are brought to a "current" status. LRAP funds cannot be used to bring a participant's account status current.
LRAP coverage will be provided, only for loans borrowed to pay for credits earned within a students' degree requirements and must be loans certified by the Financial Aid Office. If your loans are consolidated under IBR with non-Georgetown Law Federal loans, then these will be covered as well up to the standard 10 year payment on Georgetown Law Federal Loans.
Your LRAP funding is for loans that are in a repayment status. It cannot be used to pay any student loan in a deferment or forbearance status.
Loan Repayment Schedule used for LRAP Calculation:
- Consolidated Federal Direct Student Loan - Income-Based Repayment (IBR) under the LRAP III program
- Consolidated Federal Student Loans - 15 year repayment under the LRAP II program
- Unconsolidated Fixed Interest Rate Federal Stafford or Grad PLUS Loans - 25 year repayment under the LRAP II program
- Commercial/Bar Loan - automatically scheduled for 15-20 year repayment depending on the lender
- Federal Perkins Loan - automatically scheduled for 10 year repayment if not consolidated
If a graduate chooses to pay his or her federal loans on an accelerated timeline, LRAP eligibility will still be calculated based on the repayment schedules above.
Types of Eligible Employment for all LRAP programs
LRAP provides assistance to JD graduates who are employed or self-employed, on a full-time, paid basis, in a law-related capacity by a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, non-profit international organization, or by a federal, state, local or tribal government agency. (JD degree must be preferred or required.) Some examples of eligible employment include:
Asylum Aid , The Children's Law Center, Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., Legal Aid, Public Defender Offices, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, Rocky Mountain Legal Defense Fund, ACLU, District Attorney, County Prosecutor, etc.
Judicial clerkships are NOT considered to be eligible employment for LRAP since it is not a guaranteed public service track. Law Fellows who are enrolled as students are also NOT eligible for LRAP since their student loans are not in an eligible repayment status. However, a graduate participating in a judicial clerkship or law fellowship which prevents the submission of an application within the two-year window may be granted a one-time extension until the next application deadline.
Disbursement of Funds for All LRAP Programs
LRAP funds are disbursed twice a year. They are disbursed electronically through MyAccess to the participant every six months and in advance of loan payments being due. For example, funds released in mid-December go towards loan payments for January through June. Funds released at mid-year, go towards loan payments for July through December.
To receive the December disbursement, a complete and on-time online application, and required documentation materials (available to participants in September/October with a November 1st deadline) must be submitted for evaluation. Any application received without all documentation will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed until all of the necessary documentation has been submitted by the deadline.
To receive the June disbursement, a complete and on-time online mid-year renewal application, and required documentation materials (available to participants in March/April with a May 1st return deadline) must be submitted for evaluation along with a copy of the most recently filed federal tax return(s) and W-2(s). Documentation from the loan servicer(s) is required at both application deadlines, confirming that repayments on all loans, for which the LRAP benefits are calculated, are current and in a repayment status.
Special Considerations for All LRAP Programs
Leave of Absence: Participants may take a leave of absence from the program for up to a maximum of two years. After two years, you must either return to the program or terminate participation. Participants are responsible for their student loan payments during the deferment period. If you place your loans into forbearance during the leave period, any interest that accrues will not be covered by LRAP. The time spent on a leave of absence will not be counted towards LRAP forgiveness if it’s requested within a six month term. You may owe money back to the program for the term you were awarded.
LRAP Appeals: In certain instances, an applicant may have an employment opportunity or other scenario which does not fall within published LRAP guidelines. In such cases, graduates should submit an appeal of special circumstances to the LRAP Committee for review. The appeals committee may approve an exception only to the extent that funding permits and only if extenuating circumstances occurring within the two-year window had interfered with the applicant’s ability to obtain public interest employment and apply for LRAP. Some examples of extenuating circumstances are disability, full-time child care, and inability to obtain a public service job despite bona fide attempts to secure one. All Committee submissions are anonymous and Committee members who are able to identify the appellant are asked to excuse themselves from the voting process. Submissions should be sent well in advance of the first of the months listed below and should be accompanied by supporting documentation. Committee meetings are held as follows:
- February - late February notification
- May - mid-June notification
- August - late August notification
- November - mid-December notification
LRAP Awards for All LRAP Programs
Eligible participants receive LRAP benefits directly in the form of six month loans. At the completion of each six month loan, the award is granted 100% forgiveness. The amount awarded is 100% of a participant’s need, based on the LRAP calculation. Since each award is provided as a loan, with a legally binding master promissory note, and LRAP participants are employed by a non-profit or government agency, when the loan is forgiven it is not considered a taxable event by the IRS.
Applying for all LRAP Programs
LRAP applications are available annually in October and are due NO LATER THAN November 1st. The mid-year application is available in April with a deadline date of May 1st. If the 1st falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, all materials will be considered timely if they are received by the next business day. All sections of the online application must be complete as well as mailing or faxing required documentation. The applicant is responsible for submitting a complete application by the established deadline. If qualifying employment has been secured before the deadline, but the position does not begin until after the deadline date, the LRAP committee will make every attempt to review applicant eligibility based on the availability of funds. However, applicants should submit all other relevant paperwork by the published deadlines.
For renewal applicants that may not be eligible for LRAP funding who wish to stay active in the program, please submit a copy of your Employer Certification every May 1st and November 1st.
LRAP III APPLICATION PROCESS
2012-13 LRAP III Brochure
The following process of consolidating your federal loans with Direct Lending under the IBR payment plan, and receiving a Loan Disclosure Statement should be completed in advance of the deadline dates of May 1 and November 1 for LRAP consideration.
PLEASE NOTE: If all of your federal loans were borrowed through Direct Lending (most likely after July 1, 2010) then you are not required to consolidate since your loans are already with Federal Direct.
- The federal programs require that the borrower’s federal loan(s) be consolidated with the Federal Direct Loan Program.
- Visit www.nslds.ed.gov to obtain all of your federal loan data and then begin the consolidation process which should take between 60-90 days once you apply with them at www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov. You should report the grace period end date as the most recent date possible from the drop-down box or Direct Lending will not begin the consolidation process. Please make sure to keep a copy of the consolidation application to submit with your LRAP application.
- During the consolidation process you should request “Income-Based Repayment (IBR)” as your payment option by completing the Repayment Plan Selection form.
- Keep in contact with your lenders to make sure they are providing the Department with your payoff amounts and follow up with the Department to make sure they have all the information necessary to complete the consolidation. Once the consolidation is complete the Department will send you a Loan Disclosure Statement with your IBR payment and your loans will be in a repayment status. Since LRAP does not provide you a benefit until July 2012, you can opt to pay the monthly amount yourself, or request a forbearance. You must have your first scheduled payment due in July 2012 in order to receive an LRAP award for the July through December 2012 term. Please keep a copy of the Loan Disclosure Statement to submit with your LRAP application.
- If you’d like to learn more about IBR, please read our publication entitled ‘Guide to Income-Based Repayment and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program’ at http://www.law.georgetown.edu/finaid/forms/documents/IBRGuide.pdf.
- Fill out the LRAP online application for new participants.
- Print, complete and submit Instructions for new LRAP participants.
We recommend that you submit your LRAP application in its entirety once your consolidation process is complete and you’ve received your IBR payment schedule.
LRAP APPLICATIONS
The next LRAP deadine is May 1, 2012.
NEW PARTICIPANTS
RENEWAL PARTICIPANTS
News You Can Use: February 2012
Required Documents for complete applications should be faxed or submitted to:
Fax (Toll Free): (866) 316-2950
Financial Aid Office/LRAP Committee
Georgetown Law
600 New Jersey Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
Other Contact Information:
LRAP Participant Profiles
Name |
Rachel A. Batterson |
Started LRAP |
June 2001 |
Where I work |
Vermont Legal Aid in the Fair Housing (Housing Discrimination) UnitVermont Legal Aid in the Fair Housing (Housing Discrimination) Unit |
My job title |
Director of Intake and Project Manager of the Housing Discrimination Law Project |
My job function |
I protect and advance Vermonters’ civil rights by representing people who have been discriminated against in housing by landlords, realtors, housing providers, or government entities or officials. |
Description of employer |
Vermont Legal Aid is an independent, nonprofit, statewide legal service program with approximately 70 employees. We represent low-income people, elders, victims of domestic violence, people with health insurance problems, people with disabilities, and victims of housing discrimination throughout Vermont who have been denied justice or the necessities of life. |
Interest in public service prior to Georgetown Law |
Yes. I knew before attending law school that I wanted to work in a program providing legal services to poor people. I worked at Vermont Legal Aid as an Administrative Assistant before I applied to Georgetown Law. |
Specific event, class or professor who inspired me to enter into public interest/government employment: |
I knew I wanted to pursue law in the public interest before applying to Georgetown Law. Professors Cole, Cashin, Gottesman, Mlyniec, Schotland, and Schrag, as well as the OPICS office staff, helped me maintain my commitment to public interest law during law school. |
Steps taken while at Georgetown Law to pursue a career in public interest |
I took part in two law school clinics, two summer internships at legal services programs and one school-year legal services internship. I also was a student representative to Georgetown Law ’s Long-Range Planning committee. I wrote my “A paper” on the implementation of TANF (welfare reform) in Vermont and published that paper as a student note in the Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy. |
My involvement with OPICS while at Georgetown Law |
OPICS was an essential resource for me during law school both in professional development as well as supporting my commitment to pursuing a career in legal services. |
My experience with public interest positions since graduating Georgetown Law |
Vermont Legal Aid was my dream job and the only job I applied for after graduation. I’ve worked for Vermont Legal ever since. Being a staff attorney here is still my dream job. I’ve also worked half-time for Legal Services Law Line of Vermont--the other statewide legal services program in Vermont. |
How LRAP benefits enable me to remain in a public interest career |
It’s simple. Without LRAP, I couldn’t work for Vermont Legal Aid. LRAP is vital to Georgetown Law graduates working in the public interest. |
What I like most about my position |
Using the law to help people whose rights and needs are too often ignored by society. |
What I am most proud of in relation to my work |
Representing individual clients who would otherwise not have a lawyer and would have to represent themselves. Getting our statewide website up and running and populated with useful legal information, forms and referral information for the clients we aren’t able to represent. |
My overall opinion of LRAP |
LRAP is vital. LRAP makes it possible for Georgetown Law graduates to use their law degrees to represent people and interests that would otherwise be without the skills of a lawyer. |
Name |
Aaron Clemens |
Started LRAP |
January 2005 |
Where I work |
Palm Beach County, Florida, Office of the Public Defender. |
My job title |
Assistant Public Defender |
My job function |
Handled all sorts of cases thus far, currently handling clients facing mandatory life sentences (gun crimes, child sex abuse, repeat offenders), non-death penalty homicides, and sexual predator civil commitment cases. |
Description of employer |
Carey Haughwout is the elected PD. She is a highly respected trial attorney with vast experience who personally involves herself in all death penalty cases and attorney development. |
Interest in public service prior to Georgetown Law |
Knowing about the LRAP program and the top notch clinical training program were big reasons I attended GULC. |
Specific event, class or professor who inspired me to enter into public interest/government employment: |
Sam Dash cemented my desire to become a public defender when I took criminal procedure as a 1L. His fire, energy and eloquent dedication to his students and the Constitution remain inspiring beyond belief to this day. |
Steps taken while at Georgetown Law to pursue a career in public interest |
Almost every class I took centered on public interest. |
My involvement with OPICS while at Georgetown Law |
I did my pro bono pledge and used OPICS for my job search. |
My experience with public interest positions since graduating Georgetown Law |
I remain in the job I took before graduation. I also worked pro bono as a volunteer attorney with the ACLU to represent a disabled elderly man arrested by police and prosecuted for trying to record police in public: we secured a favorable settlement. http://www.aclufl.org/pdfs/Ballance.pdf |
How LRAP benefits enable me to remain in a public interest career |
The LRAP support has been essential to reduce the temptation to seek another job with better compensation. |
What I like most about my position |
Even when the work is frustrating, I feel that I regularly help people. I am part of the system that can too severely punish people, but I try my best to fight injustice and educate. |
What I am most proud of in relation to my work |
It is important to show each client that they are not alone and that if they are punished, it’s only after they got a fair shake. |
My overall opinion of LRAP |
I love it! |
Name |
Clifton Drake |
Started LRAP |
January 2011 |
Where I work |
State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit of Florida |
My job title |
Assistant State Attorney |
My job function |
Prosecute felony offenses arising in Okaloosa County, Florida |
Description of employer |
Prosecute all criminal cases in the First Judicial Circuit of Florida |
Interest in public service prior to Georgetown Law |
I always had an interest in government, but didn’t know what I wanted to do long-term prior to entering law school. |
Specific event, class or professor who inspired me to enter into public interest/government employment: |
I attended a public service panel (sponsored by OPICS I think) that included state prosecutors, and I was fascinated. |
My involvement with OPICS while at Georgetown Law |
Attended several OPICS events |
My experience with public interest positions since graduating Georgetown Law |
It’s very rewarding and it’s easy to go to work every day because I know I’m making a difference. |
How LRAP benefits enable me to remain in a public interest career |
I probably couldn’t afford to be in my current job if it weren’t for LRAP. |
What I like most about my position |
Working for justice |
What I am most proud of in relation to my work |
My job allows me to fight for justice and protect my local community. |
My overall opinion of LRAP |
Outstanding and necessary – it’s the only way I’m able to have the job that I do, and I love it. |
Name |
Karla Mae Bosse |
Started LRAP |
July 2005 |
Where I work |
Hill County Attorney’s Office, Hill County, Montana |
My job title |
Deputy County Attorney |
My job function |
Prosecuting adult and juvenile misdemeanor and felony criminal matters, representing the State in civil commitment and guardianship proceedings, and representing the Department of Family Services in dependency/neglect actions. |
Description of employer |
Hill County Attorney represents the State in all criminal matters within Hill County, and the County in all civil matters. |
Interest in public service prior to Georgetown Law |
I attended law school specifically to pursue a career in public interest law, and my choice of Georgetown Law was primarily based on the access to practicing faculty and internships in that field during law school, and the LRAP. |
Specific event, class or professor who inspired me to enter into public interest/government employment: |
My interest in public interest law was encouraged by my early law school experiences studying “Democracy & Coercion” with David Cole, Criminal Law with Samuel Dash, and studying with John Copacino and Abbe Smith in the Criminal Law Clinic. I also took the professional responsibility course specifically tailored for public interest lawyers. |
Steps taken while at Georgetown Law to pursue a career in public interest |
In addition to the above courses, I interned with the ABA Death Penalty Moratorium Project as a 1L, with the DC Public Defender Service as a 2L, with Pine Tree Legal Assistance in my home state of Maine 1L summer, and I participated in the Law Center’s Criminal Justice Clinic as a 3L. |
My involvement with OPICS while at Georgetown Law |
I utilized the services of OPICS to secure my 1L summer clerkship opportunities, and to become educated in general about PI career opportunities. I have continued to access those resources as my career has developed post-law school. OPICS staff has always been terrific to work with! |
My experience with public interest positions since graduating Georgetown Law |
I have worked for legal aid organizations in Arizona (CLS), Massachusetts (SCCLS), and Montana (MLSA), as a law graduate advocate, attorney, and in grants administration; I’ve since worked in the criminal justice system, first as an Assistant Public Defender with Montana’s Office of the State Public Defender, and presently as a Deputy County Attorney. |
How LRAP benefits enable me to remain in a public interest career |
LRAP is the only reason I am able to pursue a PI career – without it, I would have had to go to work for a large law firm after graduation in order to pay law student loans. |
What I like most about my position |
The work I am doing presently feels very meaningful to me; I’ve enjoyed being both a defense attorney and being a prosecutor, though I would say that as a fair-minded, compassionate prosecutor with prior defense (and legal aid) experience, I have the ability to make a very positive difference in the lives of defendants. |
What I am most proud of in relation to my work |
As a legal aid attorney, public defender and now prosecutor, I have always adhered to the Law Center’s motto “Law is but the means - Justice is the end.” |
My overall opinion of LRAP |
Georgetown’s LRAP is something of which Law Center alumni should be most proud. It’s been great to see the program expand over the years to include prosecutors and other government attorneys, as well as the most recent expansion (in conjunction with new federal laws) allowing PI attorneys to earn higher salaries and full loan repayment assistance over a shorter period of time. In times when a premier legal education comes at such a dear price - while PI salaries remain comparatively low - Georgetown’s continued commitment to LRAP is critical to proving Georgetown’s true commitment to access to justice for all. |
Name |
Mark Eskenazi
(these are my personal views, not those of any office of the federal government) |
Started LRAP |
July 2010 |
Where I work |
National Labor Relations Board |
My job title |
Attorney |
My job function |
Litigate issues of labor law concerning the Constitution, Bankruptcy Code, Privacy Act, subpoena enforcement, and other areas. |
Description of employer |
Resolves labor disputes between unions and employers, effectuating the National Labor Relations Act. |
Interest in public service prior to Georgetown Law |
It was a childhood dream to do this – to do legal work for the federal government. |
Specific event, class or professor who inspired me to enter into public interest/government employment: |
Professor Gottesman’s enthusiasm for teaching employment law was a major influence. |
Steps taken while at Georgetown Law to pursue a career in public interest |
Through GULC’s extern-credit program, I worked at the Justice Department, which confirmed that government law was the right fit for me. |
My involvement with OPICS while at Georgetown Law |
I met with Barbara Moulton several times to discuss career options, and attended interesting OPICS speaker events. |
My experience with public interest positions since graduating Georgetown Law |
For the last year I have really enjoyed working for the NLRB because the work is rewarding, my colleagues have helped me become a better writer and thinker, and I have a great deal of autonomy over my cases. I argued my first case in federal court last month! |
How LRAP benefits enable me to remain in a public interest career |
Without LRAP, I could not be doing this work. I am incredibly grateful for this significant opportunity. |
What I like most about my position |
I work with very smart, down-to-earth professionals who went into law to make a difference for people with lesser opportunities than themselves. |
What I am most proud of in relation to my work |
I am able to carry out a mission I believe in – fulfilling, to the greatest extent possible, the important goals of the National Labor Relations Act. |
My overall opinion of LRAP |
The LRAP program allowed me to truly follow my dreams in the law. It is a vital program. |
Name |
Rochelle Sparko
|
Started LRAP |
January 2005 |
Where I work |
North Carolina Justice Center |
My job title |
Staff Attorney |
My job function |
I represent low income mortgage loan borrowers facing foreclosure in civil case raising claims stemming from defects in loan origination, loan servicing abuses, and defending borrowers in foreclosure proceedings. |
Description of employer |
The North Carolina Justice Center is the state’s leading progressive advocacy and research organization. Our mission is to end poverty in North Carolina by ensuring that every household has access to the resources, services and fair treatment it needs to achieve economic security. |
Interest in public service prior to Georgetown Law |
Prior to enrolling in GULC, I was passionately interested in access to health care and contemplated pursuing a degree in public health, but settled on law. |
Specific event, class or professor who inspired me to enter into public interest/government employment: |
It was my first internship that inspired me to pursue a public interest careers. I spend my 1L summer intering for the National Partnership for Women and Families working on health policy issues. While there, I realized that I could use my legal education for things that I felt were worthy and interesting. |
Steps taken while at Georgetown Law to pursue a career in public interest |
During my time at GULC, I interned for several public interest organizations; Legal Aid, Health Assistance Partnership and Center for Reproductive Rights. I also took classes in substantive areas that interested me, and took the Legal Ethics class focusing specifically on public interest issues. I worked closely with OPICS staff on my resume and job search. |
My involvement with OPICS while at Georgetown Law |
OPICS staff helped me draft and edit my resume, helped me to find organizations with which to apply, helped find me contacts in the fields I was interested in; basically they were amazing. OPICS was there for me after I graduated as well. When I decided to move all the way across the country, the staff helped me retool my resume, and helped me make contacts in North Carolina. |
My experience with public interest positions since graduating Georgetown Law |
I have loved my work. I find it meaningful to help people who would be without access to the justice system without a public interest attorney. The people I work with are passionate, intelligent and fierce about their work. |
How LRAP benefits enable me to remain in a public interest career |
I wouldn’t be here without LRAP. I funded my legal education by borrowing, and without LRAP, would have had to take a job paying a great deal more than any public interest firm can afford. |
What I like most about my position |
Helping people keep their homes. |
What I am most proud of in relation to my work |
When I win a case, it means that a family keeps their home, their stability, and part of their identity that would otherwise have been lost. |
My overall opinion of LRAP |
It is amazing. Without LRAP, I would not be able to afford to do the work I do. It is wonderful to have the support of the GULC community for public interest work. |
